2022 tourism accommodation operator OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM

Nominations are now invited for the 2022 Tourism Accommodation Operator of the Year Award. 

Nominations are invited from any member of the HVWTA that is a tourism accommodation operator within Hunter Valley Wine Country. The Tourism Accommodation Operator award will be decided through a Mystery Shopping process, and the cost to nominate for this Award is $300 (+GST) for members. All nominees will be visited anonymously by a Mystery Shopper, and provided with a detailed report which can be utilized to assist entrants with their on-going marketing activities and assist with future planning of your procedures within your business.

Criteria

The public perception and profile of the Hunter Valley is influenced by experiences our visitors get to enjoy. This award recognises excellence provided by a Hunter Valley Tourism Accommodation Operator. To be eligible for entry the Tourism Accommodation Operator must be open for visitation with or without an appointment or be a bookable experience (inc. online) and demonstrate:

• The discernible promotion of the Hunter Valley region.
• Active involvement in tourism industry activities and events.
• Tourism Accommodation Operator staff must exhibit exemplary knowledge of the Hunter Valley, and the ability to sell the Hunter Valley brand.

The External Judging Process

The Mystery Shopper will award points across three main areas. These are: 

The Call - a phone call to your business to enquire about your product/ offering and the Region.

The Visit - the mystery shopper will visit your business to experience what you offer.

The Online Presence - the mystery shopper will evaluate your effectiveness, consistency and timeliness of your online presence.

More specifically; 

• Customer Service (major point weighting), including welcome and overall friendliness, experience, local knowledge, and positive referral to other Hunter Valley businesses. 
• External presentation of signage, entry, parking, landscaping etc. 
• Internal facilities including layout of shop, amenities, cleanliness of bus etc. 
• Presentation of offerings, e.g., digital marketing strategy, up selling to include add ons, such as lunch or dinner etc. and other direct marketing, and complimentary services.

Nominations must be received by Friday 11^th March 2022.

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2022 WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM

Nominations are now invited for the 2022 Winemaker of the Year Award.

Nominations are invited from any member of the HVWTA. Once the selection panel has confirmed that the criteria for the Winemaker of the Year Award has been met the finalists will proceed to a secret ballot. Each criterion has been weighted with a total score out of 100.

Winemaker of the Year Selection Panel may be comprised of:

• Chair of the Hunter Valley Legends Awards Working Group – (or Chair of the Wine Marketing Forum).
• Chair of the Marketing & Events Stream (or other HVWTA committee member).
• 2021 Winemaker of the Year.
• Media Representative. 
• A Hunter Valley representative with international recognition.
• Two Living Legends (appropriate to this field).

NB :The selection panel is to be convened by the HVWTA and there is to be no more than one representative per company per selection panel, and no panel member can sit for more than 2 consecutive years.

Criteria

This award recognises an outstanding Hunter Valley winemaker, who is a leader in their profession. The Winemaker of the Year recognises in particular, the previous calendar year’s achievements, with consideration to all previous achievements.

• Level of experience and/or qualification in winemaking.
• Winemaking technique, experimentation or individual style, resulting in any uniqueness in wine styles produced. Please outline your personal highlights in terms of your direct involvement in the production of Hunter Valley wines, including vineyards, in 2019 & 2020.
• Wine show judging or other acknowledgement or recognition of skill as an assessor of wine quality.
• Show awards, or other recognition, or review, or ranking by respected media or Associations.
• Ambassadorial marketing work for the winery, and/or similar on behalf of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry generally.
• The HVWTA can elect to nominate any winemaker who was directly responsible for making a Hunter Valley wine which was awarded a gold medal in a major capital wine show, Hunter Valley Wine Show or NSW Wine Awards in the preceding 12 months, and if that person still remains employed by the company who produced that wine.

Nominees can only be nominated for one awards category.

Nominations must be received by Friday, 25th February  2022.

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2022 TOURISM OPERATOR OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM

Nominations are now invited for the 2022 Tourism Operator of the Year Award. 

Nominations are invited from any member of the HVWTA that is a tourism-based operator - apart from Cellar Doors or Accommodation operators who are eligible for the other awards - within Hunter Valley Wine Country. The Tourism Operator award will be decided through a Mystery Shopping process, and the cost to nominate for this Award is $300 (+GST) for members. All nominees will be visited anonymously by a Mystery Shopper, and provided with a detailed report which can be utilized to assist entrants with their on-going marketing activities and assist with future planning of your procedures within your business.

Criteria

The public perception and profile of the Hunter Valley is influenced by experiences our visitors get to enjoy. This award recognises excellence provided by a Hunter Valley Tourism Operator. To be eligible for entry the Tourism Operator must be open for visitation with or without an appointment or be a bookable experience (inc. online) and demonstrate:

• The discernible promotion of the Hunter Valley region.
• Active involvement in tourism industry activities and events.
• Tourism Operator staff must exhibit exemplary knowledge of the Hunter Valley, and the ability to sell the Hunter Valley brand.

The External Judging Process

The Mystery Shopper will award points across three main areas. These are: 

The Call - a phone call to your business to enquire about your product/ offering and the Region.

The Visit - the mystery shopper will visit your business to experience what you offer.

The Online Presence - the mystery shopper will evaluate your effectiveness, consistency and timeliness of your online presence.

More specifically; 

• Customer Service (major point weighting), including welcome and overall friendliness, experience, local knowledge, and positive referral to other Hunter Valley businesses. 
• External presentation of signage, entry, parking, landscaping etc. 
• Internal facilities including layout of shop, amenities, cleanliness of bus etc. 
• Presentation of offerings, e.g., digital marketing strategy, up selling to include add ons, such as lunch or dinner etc. and other direct marketing, and complimentary services.

Nominations must be received by Friday 11^th March 2022.

2022 OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION BY AN INDIVIDUAL NOMINATION FORM

Nominations are now invited for the 2022 Outstanding Contribution by an Individual Award.

Nominations are invited from any member¹ of the HVWTA. This award recognises the outstanding contribution by an individual to the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism industries generally.  It is to acknowledge those who go over and above their own commercial focus to contribute to the broader industry. These contributions will be in one or more of the following areas which advances the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Industries.

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual selection panel may be comprised of:

1. Chair of the Hunter Valley Legends Awards Working Group – (or Chair of the Wine Marketing Forum).
2. Chair of the Marketing & Events Stream (or other HVWTA committee member).
3. Representative of the Hunter Valley wine and tourism industries.
4. HVWTA Strategic Partner.
5. Media Representative.
6. One Living Legend (appropriate to this field).

NB: The selection panel is to be convened by the HVWTA and there is to be no more than one representative per company per selection panel.

Criteria

This award recognises the outstanding contribution by an individual to the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism industries generally.  Nominees must provide evidence of the following criteria.

• Associated with being involved in a successful business in the Hunter Valley for the benefit of their business, and the betterment of the Hunter Valley Wine Region.
• Demonstrate outstanding performance in the past twelve (12) months that has impacted on the members of the wider community.
• Achieved domestic and international recognition or other recognition, or review, or ranking by respected media or Associations.
• Mentoring and fostering the future talent of our region.
• Demonstrate entrepreneurship and leadership evidenced by diversification, creativity and imagination.
• The nominee will also have demonstrated personal involvement and commitment to specific community initiatives.
• The conduct of the company must be above reproach with regard to ethics, quality, service, and the development of its human resources. It must project a positive community image.
• The nominee must provide three references to support this nomination addressing each of the following
  1. Leadership
  2. Positive Contribution and Influence
  3. Mentoring

• The HVWTA can elect to nominate for this award any individual they can demonstrate fulfills all of the above criteria.

Nominees can only be nominated for one awards category. 

Nominations must be received by Friday, 11^th March 2022.

¹ or the business they work for.

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