Since the sweet success of Cadbury’s winning the very first Exporter of the Year Award in 1995 at City Hall, many more captains of industry have had the privilege to be awarded this prestigious title.
Now in its 30th year, Exporters Eastern Cape’s 2024 Exporter of the Year Awards was launched in Gqeberha on Thursday at the Tramways Building, which will be the new venue for the gala event taking place on October 11.
Exporters Eastern Cape chair Quintin Levey said the Exporter of the Year Awards had been hosted since 1995 to acknowledge the achievements of the province’s exporters and related industries.
“Despite the economic climate, it offers us an opportunity to celebrate our export victories and encourage others in the industry to keep going,” he said.
During the launch event, which was attended by strategic partners — Border-Kei Chamber of Business executive director Lizelle Maurice and Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber chief executive Denise van Huyssteen — Levey also shared the new strategic direction of Exporters Eastern Cape.
This included a sectoral focus on the automotive, wool and mohair, citrus, logistics, maritime and emerging industries.
The revised strategy is aimed at maximising the value proposition for members and sponsors, through facilitating conversations, growing the number of exporters in the Eastern Cape and assisting exporters become globally competitive.
On the judging panel for the 2024 Awards is the IDC’s regional manager, Kingsley Dell-Robertson, who said the Exporter of the Year Awards offered the opportunity for customers to see the performance of the exporters and “to stay with you because you are a winner”.
Another one of the judges, Randall Jonas Consulting (Pty) managing director Randall Jonas, said sifting through each entry could take between five to six hours individually before deliberating as a group of judges until the category winners were decided.
Key focus areas that he looks at for entries are innovation and sustainability.
Winning the coveted title of Exporter of the Year three times — including 2023 — is an incredible feeling that never gets old, according to S4 marketing manager Gideon Smith.
“It is one of the best feelings in the world to walk up to the stage and collect the award.
“It is the validation and recognition of countless hours of work.
“The boost in the staff morale is fantastic, as well as all the exposure and publicity you get from the award.
“There is so much credibility and merit behind this award, especially to be recognised by industry,” Smith said.
Standard Bank will be the Platinum Sponsor for the awards evening and was also a sponsor of the launch event, along with other sponsors on the night being The Herald, SJM Flex, BLG Logistics, LX Events and S4.
There are several categories in which companies can enter in 2024.
These include: SJM Flex Environmental Award; SJM Flex Environmental Practice Award; IDC Job Creation Award; Best Provider of Services to Exporters; Emerging Exporter Award; Best Exporter: Small Business; Best Exporter: Medium Enterprises; Best Exporter: Corporate Category; and Best Exporter: OEM.
The Overall Exporter of the Year for 2024 will be chosen from the category winners.
The winner of the Emerging Exporter Award will this year also battle it out with other entrants during a “Dragon’s Den” with guest “dragons”.
The closing date to enter the 2024 Exporters of the Year Awards is July 19.
For more information on how to enter or to attend the event, please contact Exporters Eastern Cape branch manager Suzanne Loubser at info@exportersec.co.za or exporters chair Quintin Levey at quintin.levey@kpmg.co.za
HeraldLIVE
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