2015 The Castlecourt Hotel Westport Friday November 6th 2015
Introduction Mayo Chambers and local business organisations, in association with Mayo.ie and the Local Enterprise Office (LEO), are delighted to announce the return of the Mayo Business Awards this November. The 2015 Mayo Business Awards will give local businesses the opportunity to be recognised for their dedication, investment and hard work across several award categories. It is hoped that the Mayo Business Awards can once again become the flagship annual event and awards ceremony for businesses across Mayo with plans to host the event each year in different locations in Mayo. A shortlist of potential winners for each award will be released prior to the Awards ceremony with the winners being announced at a Gala Awards Night at the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport on Friday November 6th.
There are ten Award Categories which businesses can enter or be nominated for and there is no limit to the amount of categories your business can enter as long as it meets the conditions set out for the award. Entry is FREE, you can enter your business for one or more awards. This award will offer your business a chance to receive recognition as the best in Mayo. The Ten Award Categories are: Award Categories Micro Enterprise Business Award Retail Customer Service Business Award Best Service Tourism Business Award Best Hospitality Business Award Green Business of the Year Award Best Business Start-Up Award Best Manufacturing Business Award Agri, Food or Beverage Business Award Best Technology Business Award Best Professional Services Award
Micro Enterprise Business This category is open to businesses across all sectors with ten employees or less. The Award looks to recognise small businesses which have demonstrated success and achievement over the past year. Entrants will be asked to describe what distinguishes them from other micro businesses, in terms of innovation in products or services and marketing and sales techniques, and their plans for the future growth and success of their business.
Retail Customer Service Business The Retail Customer Service Award looks to reward businesses that have excelled with regards to customer service and their relationship with their consumers. Entrants will be asked to highlight examples of when they have gone the extra mile to tend to their customer s needs and will be judged on the systems in place to deal with problems or issues which may arise. Businesses will be asked to show how their levels of customer service exceed that of their competitors.
Best Service Tourism Business With Mayo being one of Ireland s premium tourism destinations, the Best Service Tourism Award is dedicated to businesses which provide outstanding service to visitors which enhance the reputation and appeal of County Mayo. Applicants will be asked to show how they have adapted to recent changes in the tourism industry and to highlight their achievements and challenges that they have overcome.
Best Hospitality Business With a thriving tourism industry in County Mayo, the Best Hospitality Business Award is to reward businesses in the hospitality sector who have thrived and achieved success in recent times. Applicants will be asked to show how they have adapted to change in the hospitality industry and how they have used new technologies to branch out into new or wider markets. Businesses will be judged on areas such as customer satisfaction and innovative sales and marketing practices which they have used to grow their business.
Green Business of the Year The Green Business of the Year award will look to find the business which has shown a commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly business practices. Businesses will be asked to show how they have overcome challenges in their attempts to become more environmentally conscience and what imaginative techniques or policies they have implemented which has resulted in increased efficiency or environmental gain. Nominees will be judged on how they have embraced Green Business policies without negatively impacting customer satisfaction.
Best Business Start-Up The Best Business Start-Up Award recognises the outstanding achievements of Mayo s newest business and entrepreneurs and is open to any business set up within the last two years. Entrants will be asked to describe any challenges they have faced since starting their business as well as plans for the future growth or expansion of their business. New businesses across all sectors regardless of size are invited to submit their nomination to become Mayo s Best New Start-Up.
Best Manufacturing Business The Best Manufacturing Business Award looks to reward businesses who have achieved outstanding success in the production of goods and is open to businesses that operate on a local, national or international level. Entrants will be judged on how a business has adapted to and ever evolving industry and how they have embraced and applied new technologies to the benefit of their business. Areas such as product innovation and standards of production will also be a part of the adjudication process.
Agri, Food or Beverage Business The Agri, Food or Beverage Award looks to recognise the Agri, Food or Beverage businesses that make up an ever growing sector of Mayo business. The adjudication process will look at the methods businesses have used in order to deliver the best possible product or service to the customer. Candidates will also be judged on how they distinguish themselves from other businesses in the highly competitive market.
Best Technology Business The Best Technology Business Award will recognise the outstanding progress of Mayo businesses in one of the most competitive and highly skilled industries. Entrants for this Award will be asked how they have maintained their competitive advantage in what is an ever changing industry. As a business constantly embracing new ideas and innovation what challenges do businesses face and how will they overcome them in order to have continued success?
Best Professional Services The Best Professional Services Award will focus on businesses that show excellence in their business practice and provide an outstanding service for their clients. Businesses will be asked to display any innovative and forward thinking processes they utilise in order to deliver the best possible service. In a competitive business environment how has your business managed to stay ahead of you rivals and maintain high standards which your customers expect.
How to Enter Nominating your business for the 2015 Mayo Business Awards is free. Entries can be submitted online at: Take a couple of minutes to fill out the online entry form, there is no limit to the amount of categories you can enter. Adjudicators will narrow the entrants down to three nominees for each category which will be named prior to the Awards Night. Tickets for the Gala Awards Night can be bought online at www.eventbrite.ie (just search for Mayo Business Awards 2015 ), or from your local chamber office.