Waterford Chamber CEO Nick Donnelly.

Of course this is the perfect week to start our good news column with the announcement of Dawn Meats as the Overall Winner of the Waterford Business of the Year at our gala awards ceremony in Dooley’s Hotel last Friday night. Dawn Meats offer an inspiring story of a family run business which, over three decades, has become a major player in the national and international market.

Working with our media partners WLR FM and our generous category sponsors, the Waterford Business Awards proved a huge success and while we move on immediately to planning the event 2015/2016 Awards, I would encourage all local businesses to engage when nominations open later in the year and get the recognition they deserve.

Chamber President Dr Derek O’Byrne and a number of our Directors had a very productive meeting with Minister for Agriculture, Food, the Marine and Defence, Simon Coveney TD recently.

Chamber was eager to bring our ongoing agendas such as job creation, the importance of the agricultural sector of the local economy, the marine and tourism, among other prevalent issues, to the Minister’s attention and he was certainly receptive to the talks.

There was more good news for the local business community in recent weeks as Genzyme were announced as Ireland’s Best Large Workplace by global network Great Place to Work.

This is the first time a local company of this magnitude has won the award and we offer them sincere congratulations on the achievement.

The coming year is set to be a busy one for Waterford Chamber and we have a number of our key events confirmed at this stage, including the President’s Lunch on June 19th in Waterford Castle, our Business Expo on September 10th, the Manufacturing Conference on October 8th and our Annual Dinner on November 13th.

Working with new and existing members to promote their businesses and offer a platform for them to do business with other members is key to our agenda this year and we look forward to meeting old friends and new faces at our many events in the coming months.

Nick Donnelly is the CEO of Waterford Chamber

From left: Nick Donnelly (CEO, Waterford Chamber); Tina Darrer (Dooley’s Hotel); Des Whelan (WLRfm - media partner); Dr Derek O’Byrne (Chamber President), Bill Halley (judge) and Frank O’Regan (Chairman, Judging Panel).

Thirty finalists have been shortlisted across ten different categories for the Waterford Business Awards, which are being organized by Waterford Chamber and media partners WLRfm. I

n the Arts and Culture category Garter Lane Arts Centre, Spraoi and the Waterford County Museum are shortlisted, while in Best Small Business there’s Bookaroom.ie, Inn the Dog House and Shellac Nails.

In Community & Social Enterprise Ballybeg Greens, GIY Ireland and the Waterford Healing Arts Trust will battle it out and in Food & Agri the finalists are Chia Bia, DessertFirst and M & D Bakery.

In the Innovation & Technology sector EirGen Pharma, SEAM Research Centre and TSSG are all finalists, while in Manufacturing & Industry Dawn Meats, Irish Handmade Glass and Metalman Brewing Company feature.

In the New Business sector EveryEvent Ltd., Theatre Box and Willow and Wild by Bonzie are all finalists and in retail there’sCaulfield’s SuperValu, Mulligan’s Pharmacy Group and The Book Centre. In the Services sector Eishtec, Hosting Ireland and Whitfield Clinic will contest the title and in the Tourism & Hospitality Dooley’s Hotel, The Majestic Hotel and The Reg are finalists.

The Overall Business of the Year Award, which is sponsored by Waterford City and County Council, will be presented by the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr James Tobin.

Said Waterford City & County Council’s Lar Power: “This event is going to be a fantastic celebration of the hard work put in by a board cross section of the Waterford business community and we would like to wish each and every finalist the very best of luck and continued success for the future.”

Each winner will be presented with a custom designed Waterford Crystal trophy and the Overall Business of the Year will be presented with a custom design perpetual trophy.

Waterford Chamber President Dr Derek O’Byrne offered his heartiest best wishes to all of the finalists.
“The standard of entries we received for the awards has astounded us to say the least. The judges have spent months deliberating and debating and we thank them for their commitment.”

Dr O’Byrne added: “The awards offer a great platform for local businesses to get the recognition they deserve for all their hard work and continued support of the economic life of Waterford and we look forward to celebrating with them all on Friday night.”