The Exchange was the backdrop for the launch of the Carlow Business Awards 2023 on the evening of Tuesday 27th June. People were welcomed to the venue located on the Potato Market to the sounds of live music from local musician and songwriter Fiach Moriarty and the sounds of people catching up and networking with refreshments provided by the team a the Lazy River Café.
The opening address of the evening was the honour of the New Chamber President, Rowena Dooley who said “This event signifies our commitment to celebrating the achievements of our local businesses and recognizing their remarkable contributions to our vibrant community. In Carlow, we are fortunate to have a diverse range of businesses that form the backbone of our economy. From innovative startups to long-standing enterprises and well established family business – each one plays its own vital role in driving growth, creating jobs, and shaping the future of Carlow.”
Rowena continued by highlighting some of the key changes in this year’s Carlow Business awards which has gone through one of the most substantial reviews in recent years. A host of new categories have been introduced including:
- Health & Wellbeing Award
- International Business Award
- Daytime Dining
- Nighttime Dining
- Personal Services Award
- Outstanding Contribution to Business
- Outstanding Medium Business of the Year
In addition to the new categories, another big change in the process will see the shortlisted nominees in nearly all categories asked to present to the panel of Judges on the 6th and 7th September 2023.
Winners will be announced on 29th September at the Awards Ceremony which will be held at the Visual Centre for Contemporary Art.
This years awards will once again be sponsored by Bank of Ireland and Madeline Ryan, Manager of Carlow and Bagenalstown spoke to their honour in being part of the awards again this year.
The Business of the Year Award in 2022 was presented to KCLR and John Purcell its CEO was on hand to speak of what winning the award meant to the team. John spoke of how the awards process encouraged them to look within and it was only at that stage they realised what they had done and achieved in the years previous, as they had been busy doing through all that time. They were honoured to receive the award and it was a great endorsement for and recognition of the work of the team.
Organised by the County Carlow Chamber, Brian O’Farrell, CEO said “The awards are designed to highlight those businesses and individuals who deserve recognition; and the opportunity is now there for people to say thank you and recognise excellence, with the nomination process now open on www.carlowchamber.com, it is time to start nominating before the first stage process closes at 5pm on Monday 31st July”
Details of all the awards categories and how to nominate are available on www.carlowchamber.com with nominations open until 5pm on Monday 31st July. Winners will be announced on 28th September at the Awards Ceremony which will be held at the Visual Centre for Contemporary Art.
For further information or queries in relation to the Carlow Business Awards 2023, please contact Brian O’Farrell, CEO County Carlow Chamber on ceo@carlowchamber.com