The Island's best student networkers were showcased at the Bermuda International Business Association's (BIBA) 11th Annual College Student Networking Event awards ceremony held at City Hall on Friday.

BIBA CEO Cheryl Packwood was on hand to congratulate the recipients who most impressed the judges at the event, which was hosted at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess earlier this month.

"In the end, our lives both professional and personal are shaped by the people we meet who provide us with advice," she said.

"You really never know who may ultimately put you in contact with the individual or individuals who will give you entry into the workforce or that next great job. Indeed, most likely, that person will not be in your actual chosen field and this is what our event is all about.

"I have to say that each year we have more students and each year the students are impressive in so many ways. This year was no different. We have received excellent feedback from employers who were in attendance on how impressed they were with the calibre of students with whom they interacted."

Ms Packwood was joined by the newly-installed Mayor of Hamilton, Charles Gosling, chairman of the Bermuda International Business Association, Vicki Coelho, and representatives from Applied Computer Technologies (ACT), Capital G, Bermuda Executive Services, Cable & Wireless, Digicel, The Bermuda Maritime Museum, Northrock Communications, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), TBI and The Ascendant Group of companies (Belco, Bermuda Gas and Purenergy).

The top speed networker awards went to Michael Paynter, who took first place and picked up a laptop provided by ACT, and Charles Leon O'Brien, in second, who won a cell phone from Digicel, while third spot went to Denzel Binns, who received calling cards from TBI.

First place for the most impressive professional look was also awarded to Mr. O'Brien, who walked away with an iPod from PWC, while Jeoffrey Chisnell in second was presented with a 'Queen of Bermuda' book from the Maritime Museum, both in the male category.

For the females, first place and the prize of an iPod from PWC went to Shirnae Bascome, with Chloe Minors coming second and picking up a 'Queen of Bermuda' book from the Maritime Museum.

The most participative and enthusiastic attendee at career seminars was received by Denzel Binns, who also won a $250 CD from Capital G, while the most impressive student went to Princess Symonds, in the female section, who won an internship at HSBC Bank of Bermuda, and David Hunt, in the male category, who was given an internship at Belco.

The best first impression of resume went to Karthika Chelvam, who picked up a travel voucher from Bermuda Executive Services, Brian Joseph Hall, who received a cell phone from Digicel, and Stacee Smith, who was handed a 'Queen of Bermuda' book from the Maritime Museum in first, second and third places respectively.

Ms Symonds was also given an honourable mention and was presented with a certificate.

Approximately 250 students and 200 professionals representing all sectors of Bermuda's working community were in attendance at the main event, with students being evaluated not only by members of BIBA's local awareness committee, but by the networking professionals and seminar leaders also present.

"Without the support of our member companies and other industry partners, there is no way that this event would continue to grow and be as successful as it is," said Ms Packwood.

"I thank everyone for the support you have given us and will continue to give us as we continue to support the development of Bermuda's next tier of professionals.

"Congratulations to all of you students in what you have achieved, not only during the networking event, but also in all that you've achieved as you move towards the career of your choice. I look forward to having your involvement on the professional side of the event in a very short time."