Launch of Wexford Business Awards 2013

The 2013 Wexford Business Awards in association with Wexford County Council, Wexford County Enterprise Board, the Environmental Protection Agency and Wexford Chamber will take place in Whites of Wexford on Friday, 14th June at a Gala Awards Ceremony Dinner. The awards seek to recognise the best in specific categories, in addition to this each category also places a special emphasises on green initiatives being used by businesses to reduce their environmental impact. Deadline for award entries is 5.00 pm Tuesday, 7th May.

Our after dinner speaker this year is Irish broadcaster, actor and musician Aonghus McAnally one of the best known faces and voices in the entertainment business. He became the face of Saturday morning television in the 80’s on Anything Goes and went on to other shows such as Evening Extra, The Big Top and The Lyrics Board, to name just a few. He has presented and produced radio programmes on RTÉ since 1988 and in the late 90s presented three TV shows in the UK. Aonghus McAnally presented the Mooney programme on RTÉ Radio 1 whenever Derek Mooney was on leave and also produced on the Tubridy Show on Radio 1.

Wexford Chmaber of Commerce Business Awards LaunchAonghus McAnally is very much in demand as an after-dinner speaker in Ireland and the UK. His speaking style will uplift and entertain any audience.  Local celebrity Councillor George Lawlor will perform Master of Ceremonies.

The awards, now in their fifth year feature 15 categories plus an overall award for Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Wexford County Council. Open to all businesses and free to enter, the awards aim to recognise and celebrate the quality, entrepreneurialism, diversity and talent of businesses throughout County Wexford. A full list of award categories and entry criteria are available on Wexford Chamber’s website www.wexfordchamber.ie

“If you have a business story to tell, or have exceeded in being an innovative, sustainable business then you should enter the Wexford Business Awards and create a great promotional platform for your business”, said Madeleine Quirke, CEO of Wexford Chamber.  “This extremely important and popular event recognises the contribution that businesses make to the local economy and the number of people that rely on these businesses for their livelihoods.  The Wexford Business Awards afford all businesses the opportunity to have their achievements publically recognised and celebrated” added Madeleine.

The most comprehensive awards of its kind in Wexford, the awards are open to all Wexford businesses, organisations, private or public – this includes multi-national subsidiaries, Government Departments, agencies, franchisors and non-government bodies. An independent judging panel ensures that the judging process is fair and objective, free of bias or influence.

From the total number of applicants, an independent judging panel will review all entries received and shortlisted businesses will be announced on Monday, 13th May. Shortlisted business will go before an interview panel on Monday, 20th May. Winners in each of the  15 award categories and the overall winner of Wexford Business of the Year Award will be announced at a black tie gala awards ceremony on Friday, 14th June in Whites of Wexford.

To be eligible to enter the awards, applicants must be in business a minimum of two years (excluding Wexford emerging new business award) and must trade or partly trade, in Wexford town and County.

For more information on this year’s awards, entry criteria or to download the application form see www.wexfordchamber.ie. Application forms are also available by contacting Wexford Chamber on 053 91 22226.