Galway Chamber Business Awards 2018 Archives

Press Release
3 December 2018

Collins McNicholas wins Galway Chamber’s Business of the Year Award 2018

Galway Chamber Business Awards and Gala Ball 2018 was hosted by President Dave Hickey on Saturday December 1st in the Galway Bay Hotel on front of a sold-out attendance of over 350.

The overall Winner of the Galway Chamber Business of the Year Award 2018 in association with Shannon Group was presented to Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services who were also Category Winners in the Best SME Category.

Receiving the award which was designed by ceramic artist Rachel Webb, Michelle Murphy, Director of Collins McNicholas said: “I am almost speechless that we have been selected not only Best SME but Business of the Year by Galway Chamber.”

“The quality of entries across all categories was very strong and we feel incredibly honoured to be selected from such an outstanding field.”

In a wide-ranging address to the attendees, Chamber President Dave Hickey said that the awards show that the spirit of enterprise has never been as evident as it currently is in Galway.

“Tonight’s nominees reflect the wider spirit of enterprise which is almost tangible in Galway whether it’s from a start-up in the PorterShed or a large multi-national in Parkmore. One of Galway Chamber’s key goals is to nurture that spirit.”

He spoke about the importance of collaboration to make Galway the best place in Ireland in which to live, work and to visit.

President’s Award

Mark Gantly, a Senior R&D Director at Hewlett Packard Enterprise in Ballybrit received Galway Chamber’s President’s Award for 2018.

This award, sponsored by PwC, is made to an individual who has made a contribution to the business life of Galway that is outstanding in every way and embodies the theme of this year’s award of Global Ambition.

In addition to his work with HPE, Mark is the incoming Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce and a director of Music for Galway and Croí.

Dr Chris Coughlan.

Dave Hickey paid tribute to the late Dr. Chris Coughlan, a past-President of Galway Chamber, Chairman of WestBIC and a board member of its subsidiary GTC who died suddenly this year.

The Award for Best Emerging Enterprise was re-named in Chris’ honour.

AWARD WINNERS

The President’s Award sponsored by PwC.

This year’s recipient is Mark Gantly.

The Category Winners of the Galway Chamber Business Awards 2018, in association with Shannon Group were:

Dr. Chris Coughlan Award for Best Emerging Enterprise sponsored by WestBIC and Galway Technology Centre

Winner: The UX Studio

Best Innovation/R&D sponsored by EY

Winner: Enterprise Ireland Medical & Engineering Technologies Gateway, GMIT

Best SME sponsored by AIB

Winner: Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services

Best Customer Service sponsored by Bank of Ireland

Winner: Kilkenny Shop
Best Marketing including Social & Digital Media sponsored by Galway City Council

Winner: Connacht Rugby

Best Social Enterprise/CSR sponsored by Magnet Networks

Winner: Community Knowledge Initiative, NUI Galway

Best Tourism programme or initiative sponsored by Shannon Airport

Winner: The Convention Bureau

-ENDS-

Galway Chamber Business Awards & Gala Ball 2018 in association with Shannon Group plc is taking place on Saturday, 1st December in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill.

This event is one of the most prestigious and popular business events of the year celebrating all that’s good about Galway’s business community.

You will meet with Galway’s top business leaders, celebrate with Galway’s business innovators and have a great night with your colleagues and peers.

The theme of this years Awards is ‘Western Edge, Global Ambition’

‘Imeall an Iarthair, Uaillmhian Dhomhanda’

in association with

Book your place now

Drinks Reception 7pm
Followed by Business Awards & Dinner
Entertainment provided by Weightless Astronauts
Dress Black Tie

Tickets: €95.00 (excl. VAT)
1 Table = 10 Tickets

Award Categories:

Dr. CHRIS COUGHLAN AWARD FOR BEST EMERGING ENTERPRISE

This award will be given to the company that can best demonstrate that it has passionately embraced the spirit of enterprise and innovation and creativity to create a successful business.
BEST INNOVATION/R&D

This award will be given to the company that can best demonstrate breakthrough achievements in the areas of Innovation, Research and Development. It will reward and celebrate innovative thinking in business across all sectors.
BEST SMALL TO MEDIUM ENTERPRISE

This award will be given to the Company that can best demonstrate that it has achieved outstanding success and excellence for a company of its size.
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

This award will be given to the Company that can best demonstrate that it consistently delivers superior service to its customers.
BEST MARKETING INCLUDING SOCIAL & DIGITAL MEDIA

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.
BEST SOCIAL ENTERPRISE/CSR

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.
BEST TOURISM PRODUCT/ CAMPAIGN

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.
PRESIDENT’S AWARD

This 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.