The closing date for entries has been pushed out by a month, it was announced at a celebratory luncheon for last year's winners.

Partners still interested in entering now have until June 16th to get their submissions together in time for the awards ceremony at the Langham Hotel’s Great Room on August 5th.

Microsoft is keen to help entrants in other ways too, with Brent Colbert, Partner Directory, saying he is happy to help and “happy to read entries”. Country Manager Kevin Ackhurst added his voice to the encouragement saying he encourages all partners to enter submissions, adding jokingly that he will accept all forms of bribes since he is not a member of the judging panel.

On a more serious note, this year’s awards have some interesting new categories which broaden the scope to include different types of partnering. New on the agenda are the ‘Partner’s Choice CIO of the Year Award’ and the ‘MSN NZ Advertising Partner of the Year Award’.

Microsoft also intends to once again spread the partnering message further than just through the traditional channels. Colbert commented that he wants to use the awards to promote IT as a career and IT within the community. Last year one award winner landed a highly lucrative contract as a direct result of the publicity following the award-giving.