Clare’s Business Excellence Awards have been officially launched and will shine a light on businesses operating as leaders within their own sectors.
The launch of ‘Clare Business Excellence Awards 2023’ took place on Thursday, June 22, at a networking breakfast at Hotel Woodstock.
Hosted by Ennis Chamber, with Clare County Council as the main sponsor, this is the 13th running of Clare Business Excellence Awards. Ennis Chamber President, Sheila Lynch commented, “Despite the obvious challenges around the costs of doing business, there is a renewed sense of optimism in the business community this year that is both positive and invigorating. While we appreciate everyone is busy, and time is precious, we hope businesses will see the merits of making time to enter this year’s Clare Business Excellence Awards. Submissions can be made online on the homepage of Ennis Chamber website at www.ennischamber.ie The application forms are straightforward to ensure the awards are accessible to all”.
Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF), Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council, commented, “We are fortunate to have Clare Business Excellence Awards as a vehicle to celebrate the achievements of businesses in County Clare. It is fitting that Clare County Council has once again adopted a leadership role as main sponsor of these prestigious awards”.
Cllr. O’Brien added, “In sponsoring these awards, Clare County Council acknowledges and celebrates the contribution businesses make to the local economy across County Clare, providing employment and supporting our local communities”.
Pat Dowling, CEO, Clare County Council said, “Each year these awards shine a light on businesses that are leaders within their own sectors, offering entrants the opportunity to benchmark their achievements against those of their peers. It is important for businesses to avail of the opportunity to celebrate their own success by entering these awards and in doing so to know that their submissions will be adjudicated by professional, independent adjudicators.”
Ennis Chamber has contracted SpotCheck, Northern Ireland, a business with an excellent reputation for thoroughness and fairness when it comes to adjudication. SpotCheck will adjudicate and will also directly issue a short benchmark report with constructive feedback, to all entrants.
Sheila Lynch concluded, “It goes without saying that it would not be possible to run these awards without the generous support of our sponsors. We thank Clare County Council as overall sponsor, and we also thank each of our category sponsors listed. With 12 business categories and a special category for ‘Best Voluntary/Community Group’, there is a category to suit all business types and every sector. I encourage businesses to enter and wish you the very best of luck.”
Businesses large and small across Clare are invited to enter Clare Business Excellence Awards.
Application forms available online: https://www.ennischamber.ie/services/business-awards
CLARE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2023
Categories & Sponsors
- BEST GREEN & SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES Sponsored by Rengen Power
- BEST MICRO BUSINESS (employing 10 people or less) – Sponsored by Local Enterprise Office, Clare
- BEST SME IN CLARE (From 10 to 250 employees) – Sponsored by Cup Print
- HEALTH & WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE – Sponsored by Essilor
- CLARE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES EXCELLENCE AWARD – Sponsored by Ennis Chamber
- BEST TOURISM EXPERIENCE – Sponsored by TUS
- BEST HOSPITALITY IN CLARE – Sponsored by Shannon Group
- BEST PLACE TO EAT (2 x sub-categories; Best Restaurant and Best Bistro/Café) – Sponsored by AIB
- BEST USE OF DIGITAL MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA Sponsored by the Clare Echo
- CLARE RETAILER OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Clean Ireland Recycling
- CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE – Sponsored by McKeogh Gallagher Ryan Accountants
- BEST VOLUNTARY/COMMUNITY GROUP IN CLARE – Sponsored by Vitalograph
- ‘CLARE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2023’ (Overall Winner) – Sponsored by lead sponsor – Clare County Council
Judging and Closing Dates
- Independent adjudicators, Spotcheck NI, will complete mystery visits and reviews for categories involving retail, hospitality, tourism and customer service. For categories depending on written submissions an independent expert panel has been established to adjudicate.
- Closing date for mystery visit categories (Hospitality, Retail August 10, 2022
- Customer Service Excellence/Tourism/Best Place to Eat)
- Closing date (written submission categories) September 11, 2022
- Finalists to be announced in October. A gala awards ceremony will take place in November.
