Galway Chamber launches Business Awards

Pictured at the launch of the eighth Galway Chamber Business Awards were, standing from left: Brian Sheridan Port of Galway, Kieran Shrahan, Vhi, Joe OÕNeill Galway City Council, Niamh Costello, Galway Technology Centre, Cllr. Niall McNelis, Maeve Joyce, Galway Chamber, Evin Cusack, AIB Bank, Mary Ryan, WestBIC, Sean Farrell, Bank of Ireland, Donnacha Cahill, Sculptor, and David Hickey, Galway City Tribune and Connacht Tribune. Seated: Mary Considine, Shannon Airport, Mayor of Galway, Cllr. Noel Larkin, Carmel Brennan, Judging Panel, and Conor O'Dowd, President of Galway Chamber.

placeholder image — Pictured at the launch of the eighth Galway Chamber Business Awards were, standing from left: Brian Sheridan Port of Galway, Kieran Shrahan, Vhi, Joe OÕNeill Galway City Council, Niamh Costello, Galway Technology Centre, Cllr. Niall McNelis, Maeve Joyce, Galway Chamber, Evin Cusack, AIB Bank, Mary Ryan, WestBIC, Sean Farrell, Bank of Ireland, Donnacha Cahill, Sculptor, and David Hickey, Galway City Tribune and Connacht Tribune. Seated: Mary Considine, Shannon Airport, Mayor of Galway, Cllr. Noel Larkin, Carmel Brennan, Judging Panel, and Conor O'Dowd, President of Galway Chamber.

Galway Chamber President Conor O’Dowd launched the organisation’s eighth annual Business Awards in the presence of the Mayor of Galway Councillor Noel Larkin at the Chamber’s offices this week.

Having welcomed the guests, the President began by thanking Shannon Airport –represented by Shannon Group Director Mary Considine – as the main sponsor of the Awards, as well as all of the category sponsors.

“This year, the theme for the Awards is ‘Barr Feabhais sa bhFiontraíocht’ or ‘Excellence in Enterprise’. This theme is central to the work of the members of Galway Chamber and our work in representing them. The spirit of enterprise has never been as evident as it currently is in Galway,” he said.

“We are seeing a wave of start-up and accelerating companies, side by side, and learning from, our established businesses, across all sectors. Likewise, our creative and artistic communities continue to excel,” added the President.

“This year’s Business Awards aim to recognise and celebrate companies of all sizes and sectors across the membership of Galway Chamber and, in the case of emerging enterprises, future members of the Chamber, on their successes and achievements.

“The Awards provide a valuable platform for the shortlisted companies and we hope they will follow in their predecessors’ footsteps, many of whom have gone on to be industry leaders,” he concluded.

The Galway Chamber Gala Ball will take place on November 19 in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway when the Awards will be presented.

Awards categories include Best Emerging Enterprise (open to non-members), sponsored by WestBIC/Galway Technology Centre; Best Large Company, sponsored by Vhi Healthcare, and Best SME, sponsored by AIB; Best Customer Service, sponsored by Bank of Ireland.

The remaining categories include Promoting Galway, sponsored by Galway City Council; Best Social Enterprise/CSR, sponsored by SCCUL, and the Special President’s Award, sponsored by the Port of Galway.

The 2016 Business of the Year, sponsored by Shannon Airport, will be awarded to one of the first six category winners.

For further information, log on to www.galwaychamber.com