Changes on board of trustees, AON continues major sponsor increasing amount
AON general manager Kevin Parr hands over the sponsorship cheque to the Board ofTrusstees during the launch of the AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards in Nadi yesterday. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA
NADI
The Trustees and Organising Committee of the AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards have announced the launch of the 18th AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards season.
Given the extensive review of the categories and criteria in 2013, there are no changes to the 13 awards categories in 2014.
Organising committee chairman, Matthew Gillespie, said the introduction of the Spa and Wellness, Services and Support to Industry and Bank of House- Individual categories in 2013 has proved to be successful.
“The Trustees believe the current categories reflect the key areas of, and trends within the industry.
“We would like to highlight that the Services and Support Industry category is open to all suppliers-companies and individuals-that support the tourism industry.
“The Visionary and Lifetime Achievement Awards remain at the discretion of the Trustees and these will be presented at the Gala Awards Dinner in 2015 if recipients are identified.”
Mr Gillespie said with the standard of entries elevating annually, judging will be increasingly challenging in 2014 and judges will again be looking for exemplary performance by all entrants.
Nominations are open and closes on September 1 at which time application forms will be issued to nominees. Submission of applications closes on September 30.
New board members
This year, the Trustee Board saw the resignation of long-serving members Board chairman Gerald Barrack and Trustee Radike Qereqeretabua.
Mr Gillespie revealed chairman of the Reddy Group of Companies, YP Reddy, will continue in the position of chairman
The new Trustees are long-time industry members James Sowane and Olivia Mavoa.
The board also welcomed Ken Freer as acting chief executive for Tourism Fiji.
Mr Freer has reiterated Tourism Fiji’s commitment to support the awards and as they have enjoyed doing so for many years.
Tourism Fiji acts as a distribution and collection point for nomination forms and applications, delivers awards information to the wider industry and assists with any enquiries from the industry, general public and visiting guests about the awards process.
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