Galway ChamberBusiness Awards& Gala BallImeall an Iarthair, Uaillmhian DhomhandaWestern Edge, Global Ambition

Saturday 1 DecemberGalway Bay Hotel

In association with

2018

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Dear Chamber Members,

Is cúis mhór áthais dom, mar Uachtarán Chumann Tráchtála na Gaillimhe, an deichiú Gradam de chuid Chumann Tráchtála na Gaillimhe a chur in bhur láthair.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce the tenth Galway Chamber Business Awards. We are delighted to thank, once again, the Shannon Group our partners and main sponsor as without their generous supports the Awards would not take place. I would also like to thank sincerely our Category Sponsors WestBIC/Galway Technology Centre, EY, AIB, Bank of Ireland, Galway City Council, Magnet Networks, PwC and our Media Partner, Galway Bay FM for their backing. Táimíd fíorbhuíoch daoibh go léir.

As you probably know Galway Chamber lost a great friend and colleague this year with the sudden death of Dr Chris Coughlan. Chris was a long-term member and former President of Galway Chamber and was also instrumental in setting up Galway Technology Centre, where he served as a board member, as well as WestBIC, which he chaired. We are honouring Chris’ memory and legacy with the Chris Coughlan Award for Emerging Enterprises.

This year our theme is ‘Western Edge, Global Ambition’ which we believe captures the spirit and determination of Galway’s entrepreneurs, in businesses large and small, to make their enterprises succeed locally, nationally and internationally.

Galway Chamber’s Business Awards celebrate companies of all sizes and sectors amongst our members and, in the case of emerging enterprises, future members of the Chamber. The range of the awards means that there is a category to suit every type and size of business from technology to tourism, from customer service in all its forms to corporate social responsibility.

The awards are easy to enter and provide all participants as well as their staff with an opportunity to show their pride in what they do as well as sharing their achievements with other businesses. Three entries will be shortlisted in each of the seven categories and these businesses will be featured in all our publicity material as well as receiving a specially made video about their organisation which will also be shown at the Gala Ball.

The Gala Ball, Galway’s biggest annual gathering of business leaders, takes place on Saturday 1st December when the Awards will be presented and Galway Chamber’s Business of the Year announced.

I encourage all Chamber members and young enterprises to challenge for at least one of the Awards and wish each entrant every success. I look forward to seeing you on 1st December at the Gala Ball.

Go raibh mile maith agaibh.

Dave Hickey, Uachtarán Chumann Tráchtála na Gaillimhe

Shannon Group is delighted to support the Galway Chamber Business Awards. These awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge the innovation, talent and entrepreneurial spirit which is thriving in Galway.

As a Group, comprising Shannon Airport, Shannon Heritage and Shannon Commercial Properties, we are focused on delivering service excellence and continuously challenging ourselves to excel. This is central to everything we do, whether at Shannon Airport, where we have completed a major €40 million investment programme to make the airport better and easy for our customers to use; or at Shannon Heritage, Ireland’s largest operator of managed heritage visitor sites, where we are adding new immersive visitors attractions to our portfolio for our customers to enjoy; or at Shannon Commercial Properties where we are building a range of new business accommodation which will create jobs for the people of our region. Our focus across all of our Shannon Group businesses is to drive our economy.

The theme of this year’s awards ‘Western Edge, Global Ambition’  is very fitting as it embraces the challenges and opportunities that all of us encounter as businesses on the West of Ireland and our drive to succeed.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful support of the Galway business community, who regularly fly from Shannon for business and pleasure. We look forward to continuing to welcome you to Shannon.

Matthew Thomas CEO, Shannon Group plc

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DR. CHRIS COUGHLAN AWARD FOR BEST EMERGING ENTERPRISE

BEST INNOVATION/ R&D

BEST SMALL TO MEDIUM ENTERPRISE

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

BEST MARKETING INCLUDING SOCIAL & DIGITAL MEDIA

BEST SOCIAL ENTERPRISE/ CSR

BEST TOURISM PRODUCT/ CAMPAIGN

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

2018 OVERALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Less than 5 Years in business

This award will be given to the company that can best demonstratethat it has passionately embraced the spirit of enterprise andinnovation and creativity to create a successful business.

OPEN TO MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS

This award will be given to the company that can best demonstratebreakthrough achievements in the areas of Innovation, Researchand Development. It will reward and celebrate innovative thinkingin business across all sectors.

OPEN TO MEMBERS

Under 100 Employees

This award will be given to the Company that can best demonstratethat it has achieved outstanding success and excellence fora company of its size.

OPEN TO MEMBERS

This award will be given to the Company that can best demonstrate that it consistently delivers superior service to its customers.

OPEN TO MEMBERS

This award will be given to the company that can best demonstrate their use of creativity and innovation across multiple areas of this evolving sector which can include: digital content creation, advertising and marketing, mobile media, app development, social networking, web design and development.

OPEN TO MEMBERS

This award will be given to the company that can best demonstrate that it has passionately embraced the spirit of enterprise, innovation and creativity in a socially responsible manner.

OPEN TO MEMBERS

This award will be given to the company that has made significant contributions to developing, marketing, selling and delivering improved visitor experiences in Galway and to increasing the number of visitors to Galway and the surrounding areas.

OPEN TO MEMBERS

Specific measures taken into consideration will be:

• Employment created• Product range• Market position• Future plans

Specific measures taken into consideration will be:

• Evidence of innovation• Evidence of research and development• Consequences of the achievements• Future plans

Specific measures taken into consideration will be:

• The outstanding nature of the achievement• Factors that lead to the achievement• Participation of employees in the achievement• Demonstration of innovation and creativity• Consequences of the achievement

Specific measures taken into consideration will be:

• Evidence of service quality and customer care programme• Range and quality of services provided• Responsiveness to customer issues• Demonstration of innovation and creativity

Specific measures taken into consideration will be:

• Evidence of specific campaigns• The innovation and creativity of the campaign materials and strategy• The engagement and interactivity with the target audience, existing and potential and use of digital media

Specific measures taken into consideration will be:

• Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility within the organisation• Contribution that the CSR practices make to the economy• Contribution that the CSR practices make to our society• Mainstream nature of the CSR activity within the organisation

Specific measures taken into consideration will be:

• Evidence of conversion of awareness or interest to increased visitor numbers• The enhancement of local and surrounding tourism offering• The stimulation of tourism and economic activity as a result of the initiative

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WestBIC

Award will be given to an individual who has made a contribution to the business life of Galway that is outstanding in every way. The recipient of this Award is chosen by the President of Galway Chamber in consultation with his officer Board.

OPEN TO MEMBERS

KINDLY SPONSORED BY SHANNON GROUP PLC

The overall award winner will be selected from among the seven category winners. The overall award will be given to the company that distinguishes itself among the other category winners as being outstanding in its field and making a significant contribution to the economic life of Galway through its commitment to responsible business practices in all its endeavours, its innovation, its creativity and its integrity in dealing with people.

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BUSINESS AWARDSNOMINATION FORM

YOUR NAME:

BUSINESS NAME:

BUSINESS ADDRESS:

CONTACT NUMBER:

PLEASE INDICATE (TICK) THE AWARD BELOW YOU WISH TO ENTER.

Members may enter more than one category but must use a separate form for each category.Please complete the form on reverse in 500 words or less as to why you think your company should win the award.

Category one is open to Chamber Members and Non Members. Other Categories are open to Chamber Members. The statement overleaf must be completed.

There will be three finalists chosen in each category with an overall winner chosen from among the category winners. Please return to Galway Chamber, Commerce House, Merchants Road, Galway or email to info@galwaychamber.com by Friday 26th October 2018.

Galway Chamber Business Awards are open to all current Galway Chamber Members. Non-members of Galway Chamber are eligible to enter the Best Emerging Enterprise category. Members will nominate their own companies for an award. Special emphasis should be given to ‘state in less than 500 words why you think your company should win this Award’ (Note: this will be used for press purposes should your company be short listed in its category).

Forms must be fully completed, signed by the nominating company and returned to Galway Chamber, Commerce House, Merchants Road, Galway by Friday, 26th October 2018 either in hard copy, by email to info@galwaychamber.com, or log onto www.galwaychamber.com.

There will be three short listed finalists in each category. The Galway Chamber Business of the Year Award will be selected from among the category award winners.

The winner of each category, the recipient of the President’s award and the overall winner will be announced at the Gala Ball & Awards ceremony on Saturday, 1 December in the Galway Bay Hotel. (Early booking is advisable on 091 563536).

The Judges for the Galway Chamber Business Awards 2018, all giving their time and expertise voluntarily will be chaired by Council Member and Former President of Galway Chamber Ms. Carmel Brennan.

DR. CHRIS COUGHLAN AWARD FOR BEST EMERGING ENTERPRISE

BEST SMALL TO MEDIUM ENTERPRISE

BEST MARKETING INCLUDING SOCIAL & DIGITAL MEDIA

BEST TOURISM PRODUCT/ CAMPAIGN

BEST INNOVATION/ R&D

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

BEST SOCIAL ENTERPRISE/ CSR

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HOW TO ENTER

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WHY I THINK MY COMPANY SHOULD WIN THIS AWARD (500 WORDS OR LESS)

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2018 Galway ChamberBusiness Awards

& Gala BallImeall an Iarthair, Uaillmhian Dhomhanda

Western Edge, Global Ambition

Saturday 1 December Galway Bay Hotel

MEDIA PARTNER: GALWAY BAY FM

In association with

WestBIC