Tonight’s President’s Dinner is a celebration of achievements within the regional business community throughout the year and the work being undertaken by Limerick Chamber to support member’s ambition. Noel Gavin, Limerick Chamber President 2024/25, will tonight be announcing the recipient of this year’s President Award, honouring an organisation who embodies the spirit of community and who has had an incredible and significant impact on Limerick and the Mid-West.
Throughout Noel’s presidency, he has achieved a number of key milestones, for example; Hosting the inaugural Mayoral Debate for Limerick first directly elected Mayor, to our Inaugural General Election Debate, An additional installment of the Limerick Chamber Golf Classic which has grown since its inception in 2023, our 2024 Golf Classic saw Limerick Chamber partner with Cliona’s Foundation to help support families in need. We also hosted our Energy on the Estuary Series in the newly opened TUS Coonagh Campus with the support of SSE.
The Limerick Chamber President’s Award, presented by our President, Noel Gavin, celebrates individuals or groups who have made remarkable and praiseworthy contributions to enhance life in the Midwest region. This prestigious accolade encompasses a wide range of contributions to the region, including acts of philanthropy, social initiatives that boost regional confidence, pride, and recognition. This award can also serve to recognize those individuals or companies that have introduced pioneering business practices, elevating the region’s standing, promoting its prosperity, fostering skill development, and driving future growth. The recipient of this award is thoughtfully chosen by our President, and it serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment, dedication, and determination to give back to the region. The award is a meaningful gesture to honour, acknowledge, and express gratitude to the selected individual, group, or enterprise.
AIB is committed to actively supporting economic recovery and job creation by backing entrepreneurs, early start ups and established SME’s. In addition to this, we support our SME customers through our Backing Brave programme with a range of customer-focused offers, including providing credit decisions on loans up to 30,000 within 48 hours and the AIB Start Up Academy in partnership with the Irish Times. AIB also have a 400m tranche of funding in partnership with the strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, which is offer at a discounted rate.
The Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards now in its 14th year of fruition, is held annually by Limerick Chamber and The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), the awards are designed to acknowledge companies in the local region who strive for success each day. The awards are designed to recognise the hard work, commitment and innovative approach each company has showcased which has contributed to the growth of the company and in turn the region itself
With over 15,000 students on six campuses in Ireland’s Midwest and Midlands, TUS is Ireland’s newest and most unique Technological University. Through applied learning and fresh thinking, our focus is on meeting the evolving needs of society and industry, within our region and beyond.
We in the Technological University of the Shannon, TUS, are delighted to be the main sponsor of the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards again this year. The Limerick Chamber Regional Awards acknowledge businesses that have not just survived but have adapted and thrived during in the face of challenges. We have seen inspirational levels of creativity and ingenuity from organisations across the region. These awards recognise and reward business excellence, innovation, best practices and outstanding business performance. TUS is committed to impactful collaboration, excellence in education, research and our spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship and community. We encourage all organisations to enter these awards this year. Celebrate your successes, share your story with your peers, acknowledge the loyalty of your customers and recognise your employees for their hard work and commitment. These awards are a great platform for all organisations in the region. Best wishes to all the entrants!
Professor Vincent Cunnane, TUS President
Hear from Mayor John Moran, Directly Elected Mayor speaking on behalf of Limerick City and County Council, Sponsors of the 2024 Best Emerging Business Award.
Meet Our Finalists:
Hear from Pat Piggott Regional Retail Director South West, AIB Sponsors of the 2024 Best SME Business Award.
Meet Our Finalists:
Hear from Lisa Killeen, partner at Holmes LLP, Sponsors of the 2024 Innovation Impact Award.
Meet Our Finalists:
Hear from Michael Keane, Partner EY Sponsors of the 2024 Sustainability Leadership Award
Meet Our Finalists:
Hear from Catherine Duffy, General Manager, Norther Trust Sponsors of the 2024 Best Not for Profit Award
Meet Our Finalists:
Hear from Nandi O’Sullivan, Head of Communications, The SHannon Airport Group, Sponsors of Best Employer: Champion of Employee Well-being and Development
Meet Our Finalists:
Hear from Liam Hession, Head of Communications, The BDO Limerick, Sponsors of Excellence in Customer
Experience Award
Meet Our Finalists:
Hear from Michael MacCurtain, Limerick Chamber Skillnet Manager, Sponsors of Best Contribution to the
Community 2024 Award
Meet Our Finalists:
Hear from Dr Liam Brown, Vice President Research, Development and Innovation, Technological University of the Shannon
Each award acknowledges the dedication of nominated companies in pursuing success through innovation, investments, expansion, strategic acquisitions, and service excellence, resulting in a substantial boost to their business. This award specifically celebrates the accomplishments of companies in the region that have demonstrated success in these areas, leading to significant business growth. The prestigious 2024 Limerick Chamber Regional Business of the Year Award is selected from among the finalists and honours their exceptional sustainable achievements and business success in 2024. It recognises a company that, according to our judging panel, has displayed outstanding growth and success or has presented the most compelling opportunities in the past 12 months, thereby making a significant positive impact on their marketplace and the region.
Carelon Global were last year’s winners of the Overall Business of the Year Award.
This award honours businesses in the Mid-West Region that excel in environmental sustainability, demonstrating leadership and community impact. Eligible businesses must have been operating for at least 12 months and show significant integration of sustainability into their core strategies and operations.
This award recognizes businesses in the Mid-West Region that excel in employee wellbeing and development. Eligible businesses must have been operating for at least 24 months and qualify as either an SME or large company. Judges will evaluate work-life balance, employee health programs, career development, diversity and inclusion initiatives, employee engagement, barrier reduction, compliance with labour laws, and continuous improvement in employee benefits.
VISIT THE SHANNON AIRPORT GROUP
This award celebrates businesses in the Mid-West Region that demonstrate exceptional social responsibility and positive community impact. Eligible businesses must have been operating for at least 12 months and show long-term, innovative, and collaborative CSR efforts with measurable results.
VISIT LIMERICK CHAMBER SKILLNET
This award honours not-for-profit organizations in the Mid-West Region with a significant positive community impact in areas like social, economic, environmental, or cultural development. Eligible organizations must have been operating for at least 12 months, be organized, non-profit distributing, independent, voluntary, self-governing, and contribute to the public good.
This award honours retail and hospitality businesses in the Mid-West Region that excel in customer experience. Eligible businesses must have been operating for at least 12 months and demonstrate exceptional customer service, innovation, and positive regional impact. Judges will evaluate customer experience, innovation and adaptability, and contribution to the region.
This award recognizes businesses in the Mid-West Region that excel in implementing innovative practices, products, services, or business models. Eligible businesses must have been operating for at least 12 months and qualify as a Micro, SME, or large company. Judges will evaluate the novelty of the innovation, its business impact, collaboration efforts, culture of innovation, and effective use of technology.
This award honours SMEs in the Mid-West Region, trading for more than 3 years, that create world-class products and services while setting high benchmarks. Eligible SMEs must have been operating for at least 5 years and 12 months in the Limerick City Region. They must employ fewer than 250 persons and have an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million euros or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43 million euros. #BackedbyAIB- AIB are the Limerick Chamber Official SME Strand Sponsor
This award honours innovative businesses in the Mid-West Region trading for 5 years or less. Eligible businesses must have been operating for at least 12 months and demonstrate a compelling opportunity with innovation in their model, process, service, or product. Exceptions apply for businesses with long commercialization processes.
Each award acknowledges the dedication of nominated companies in pursuing success through innovation, investments, expansion, strategic acquisitions, and service excellence, resulting in a substantial boost to their business. This award specifically celebrates the accomplishments of companies in the region that have demonstrated success in these areas, leading to significant business growth. The prestigious 2023 Limerick Chamber Regional Business of the Year Award is selected from among the finalists and honours their exceptional sustainable achievements and business success in 2024. It recognises a company that, according to our judging panel, has displayed outstanding growth and success or has presented the most compelling opportunities in the past 12 months, thereby making a significant positive impact on their marketplace and the region.
Carelon Global Solutions were last year’s winners of the Overall Business of the Year Award.
We would very much like to extend a special thanks to this year’s judging panel, who brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the awards process, the judges were very impressed with the calibre of applicant for this year’s Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards and have consolidated over a number of hours to list tonight’s finalists, we thank them kindly for the time and effort in reading each application, travelling for the judging session and for their advice and guidance in ensuring we deliver an awards process that is efficient and seamless for the applicants.
Founder, TOLA Consultancy
MD, Grassland Agro
Manager & Co-Owner,
Hotel Woodstock
Independent Non-Executive Director (INED)
Chair, Limerick Chamber Independent Judging Panel, CEO, Business in the Community Ireland
Business to Arts
