NZMOA is hosting a webinar at 10am on Tuesday 31 May, all about how to prepare a great awards entry. Use this link to register.

In the meantime, here are some pointers for prospective entrants:

• Sometimes when you work within an organisation, it's hard to appreciate and write down what is truly outstanding about what you do. If you aren't sure how to answer, talk to your staff and your customers about their ideas and perceptions: what do they see as unique about your operation? What are you doing a great job at? Sometimes the outside world sees this differently to how you do. Really make sure that these attributes come out in your entry to demonstrate your x-factor.

• Remember that the program is all about how your operation is achieving to its best potential. 'Potential' means different things to different marinas and boatyards. For a small yard, this can mean maximising space and thinking outside the square to develop creative solutions to problems, in ways that a bigger and well resourced yard may not need to think about. For a very big marina that works in a highly political environment, this can mean delivering core services well even while the landscape is fast changing. Ensure that whatever this is for your marina or boatyard is captured in your entry.

• Really think hard about what you do that is over and above 'business as usual'. It's important your entry should acknowledge that you are running a sound operation that is doing the basics right, but the value you deliver to your staff, customers and perhaps your region or country, over and above the basics is what creates a winning entry.

• No entrant or entry is perfect. If there is an aspect of your operation you know needs improvement, it's important to acknowledge the work that is underway and the progress you have made. Judges take this into account. Question 4 asks 'Is there anything else that you would like the judges to know about your facility or entry?' and is a perfect place to include this.