YES Regional Finals & Awards 2024

 Join Us for an Unmissable Celebration of Southland’s Brightest Young Entrepreneurs! ????
Get ready for an inspiring day as we celebrate the incredible achievements of the 2024 Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) students! This is not just an event—it's a showcase of innovation, resilience, and the future of business.

We’re rolling out the red carpet for YES sponsors, mentors, families, supporters, and Southland Business Chamber members for an electrifying day where Southland’s best and brightest take center stage.

Why You Can’t Miss This Event
More than 5,000 YES students across New Zealand have launched their own businesses, and now from Southlands & Southern Lakes pool of 160 students from 10  schools  we will showcase their year of hard work! These students have competed in four intense challenges, and now, the top 7 teams will pitch their business to a panel of expert judges, all competing for the title of The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Southland Company of the Year—sponsored by SIT | Te Pūkenga. The winners will advance to the National Final in Wellington to compete at the Lion Foundation National Awards Gala Dinner!

The Competition Heats Up
As the judges deliberate, guests will indulge in a delicious local lunch at The Langlands, followed by the grand Southland YES Excellence Awards where seven prestigious awards will be given to the most outstanding businesses in categories like Innovation, Sales & Marketing, and more. Plus, the highly anticipated Enterpriser of the Year and Lion Foundation Southland Company of the Year awards will be presented.

Event Schedule
10:45am – Doors Open
11:00am – Welcome & Kick-Off at Centre Stage Theatre (33 Don St)
11:10am – Business Pitches by the Top 6 Teams
12:45pm – Lunch Break at The Langlands  (pre-registration required)
1:30pm – Awards Ceremony & Presentation
2:30pm – Event Concludes 

Southland Excellence Awards
Award for Financial Excellence – Sponsored by Findex
Award for Social Enterprise – Sponsored by South Port NZ
Award for Primary Industries – Sponsored by Vet South
Award for Innovation – Sponsored by COIN South
Award for Sales & Marketing – Sponsored by NZAS
Award for Resilience – Sponsored by SBS Bank
Murihiku Mover & Shaker Award – Sponsored by Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT)
 Individual Awards
Southland Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Sponsored by Community Trust South
Lion Foundation Southland Company of the Year 2024 – Sponsored by SIT | Te Pūkenga

Be part of this  celebration! Family and friends are invited to join us for this exciting event. If you'd like to join us for lunch, be sure to pre-register so we can cater for you. There will be a small fee to cover the cost of lunch at The Langlands.
Your presence will make this event even more special as we celebrate the future leaders of business!
For inquiries, contact leanne@southlandchamber,co.nz

We look forward to celebrating with you, thanks to the generous support of our amazing sponsors!