Shortlist announced for Waterford Business Awards
A host of Waterford’s top businesses have been shortlisted for this year’s Waterford Business Awards.
Organisers Waterford Chamber have joined forces again with partners WLR and Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber for the gala awards ceremony which will take place in the Tower Hotel on Friday, November 14th. Speaking about the awards, Waterford Chamber President Eadaoin Carrick said, “Congratulations to all the businesses who have been shortlisted, what a fantastic representation of the Waterford business community across the city and county. This shortlist goes a long way towards showcasing the strength and depth of our amazing business community.”
Oren Byrne, President of Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber added: “To be recognised by your peers for the hardworking and determination to be best in class deserves to be celebrated and we look forward to doing so on November 14th.”
Commenting on the decision-making process Martin Freyne, Chairperson of the Judging Panel, said, “It is absolutely incredible what our business community is delivering in terms of innovation, technology, customer service and more. While only three can be shortlisted in each category, the lists could easily have been much longer and there was some very active debate and tough decisions along the way. Our independent panel of judges make a huge commitment to selecting the shortlist and I thank them for their time and dedication.”
Michael Byrne, CEO of WLRfm said the station is delighted to be involved to both champion and promote the Waterford Business Awards each year. “The Business Awards are a beacon of positivity and once again the list of nominee companies in every category is of a very high standard. There is no doubt the Waterford business community is vibrant and ambitious, which is evident from the list of entrants and shortlisted companies. We wish everybody the best of luck.”
The shortlisted businesses were nominated by the public and through a self-nomination process. An independent judging panel, chaired by Martin Freyne and including Lena Murphy, Truvium Vet; Jackie Roche, Bausch + Lomb; Neil Gough, WLR; Deirdre Houlihan, Faithlegg; Tommie Ryan, Waterford Chamber Skillnet; Georgina Campbell, Orbe Consulting; James O’Sullivan, SETU; Howard Kent, Kent Consulting and Jacqui Gaule, Waterford Local Enterprise Office, decided upon the final shortlist after a rigorous judging analysis of each application.
Three businesses have been shortlisted for each of the categories and the winners of those categories will then go head-to-head in the hope of claiming the Overall Waterford Business of the Year, sponsored by Waterford City & County Council.
A Special Recognition Award, sponsored by Faithlegg and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Parker Law, will also be presented to an individual chosen by the judging panel, and will only be revealed during the live event. In addition, the Radio Campaign of the Year, sponsored by WLR, will recognise excellence in creative execution, strategic delivery, and measurable impact across radio and WLR’s platforms, while the Think Waterford First Award, sponsored by Buíon Phort Láirge, will be awarded to a business or individual who has shown exemplary commitment to promoting and supporting Waterford.
The shortlist is as follows:
Business of the Year (100+ employees)
Dovida
Eirgen Pharma
The Park Hotel Dungarvan
Business of the Year (up to 100 employees)
Dave Barry Plastics
Hartley People
Q1 Scientific
Business of the Year (up to 20 employees)
Aspire Physiotherapy
Liberty Blue Estate Agents
Merrys Gastro Pub
Customer Service Excellence
Irina Duane Photography
Klearcom
Parker Law Solicitors
Environmental & Sustainability
CC Renewables
Granville Hotel
TFI Local Link Waterford
Excellence in Innovation
Ashleigh Farms
Lean Industry 4.0
NEG8 Carbon
Food, Beverage & Hospitality
CocoabyJudit
The Railway Cottage
Under the Clock Coffee House
Marketing Excellence
Griffin Auctioneers
The TEFL Institute of Ireland
Visit Waterford
New Business of the Year
Euryka AI
GoChallenge
Natures Alchemy
Retailer of the Year
Fitzgerald's Menswear
George Corbett Motors
Harlow Fine Jewellery
Visit Waterford Award
Coláiste na Rinne
Dunmore Adventure
Churchyard Sessions @ The Reg
Workplace Excellence
Haleon
Fitzwilton Hotel
Unitec IT Solutions
