Shortlist announced for Waterford Business Awards

A host of Waterford’s top businesses have been shortlisted for the seventh annual Waterford Business Awards.

Organisers Waterford Chamber have joined forced again with partners WLR and Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber for the gala awards ceremony which for the first time ever, in light of Covid-19, will take place virtually via live stream on Friday, February 26th.

Speaking about the awards, Waterford Chamber President Danette Connolly said, “It has been an incredibly difficult year for our business community, so I think we all need some positivity and the Waterford Business Awards are sure to provide just that. They will give us the opportunity to honour those who have excelled against adversity and we look forward to announcing the winners at our live virtual event on February 26th.”

Commenting on the decision-making process Noel Kelly, Chairperson of the Judging Panel, said, “The challenges for businesses due to Covid-19 have been enormous so it has been a baptism of fire in my first year as Chair of the judging panel. It has been incredibly humbling and inspiring to review all the entries and understand how resilient and innovative our business community is. There were some very difficult decisions along the way and we are delighted to have such a strong shortlist coming into the awards in February.”
Managing Director of WLR, Des Whelan said is delighted to be involved with and to promote the Waterford Business Awards. In a very different and disruptive year “The Waterford Business Awards is a beacon of positivity and once again the list of nominee companies in every category is of a very high standard. It’s also very encouraging to see so many new businesses come forward each year and there’s no doubt that a vibrant business sector adds considerably to a county and a region’s well-being.”
WLR will broadcast features on all the shortlisted companies on Deise Today in the lead up to the awards on February 26th, while The Hot Desk on Wednesdays with Mary O’Neill will also highlight the nominated companies. You can listen back to the programmes on podcast on WLRfm.com.

The shortlisted businesses were nominated by the public and also through a self-nomination process. An independent judging panel, chaired by Noel Kelly and including David Breen, David M. Breen & Co; Irial Mac Murchu, Nemeton; Julie Smyth, WLR; John Noonan, Flahavans; Louise Grubb, Q1 Scientific; Tina Darrer, Dooley’s Hotel, TV Honan, Spraoi; and Richie Walsh, Waterford Local Enterprise Office, decided upon the finalist shortlist after a rigorous judging analysis of each application.

Three businesses have been shortlisted for each of the categories and the winners of those categories will then go head to head in the hope of claiming the Overall Waterford Business of the Year, sponsored by Waterford City & County Council. A special Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Faithlegg, will also be presented to an individual chosen by the judging panel and will only be revealed during the live stream.

The Waterford Business Awards shortlist includes the following businesses.

Customer Service Excellence
Alfie Hale Sports
Fresh Food Courtyard
Relatecare

Food & Beverage
Bodega Restaurant
Everett’s Restaurant
Glorious Sushi

Excellence in E-commerce
Altitude
The Book Resort
Murphy Larkin Timber Products

Green Excellence
Adesco
Encon
Enerpower

Marketing Excellence
Liberty Blue Estate Agents
The TEFL institute of Ireland
Visit Waterford

Micro Business of the year
Inn the Doghouse
Love Tramore
Nathan Burke Photography and Design

New Business of the Year
Blue Butterfly Coffee
company & Trade
Cove Stores
Iasc Seafood Bar

SME of the Year
Powerflow Electronics
Q1 Scientific
William Scanlon Dairy Tech

Technology and Innovation
Flexiwage
Nearform
REd Hat

Tourism Activity/Attraction of the Year
Dunmore Adventure
The Haven Hotel
Waterford & Suir Valley Railway ... See more

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Join the large group of local businesses in the Q&A with Minister of State for Employment Affairs, and Retail Businesses, Damien English to discuss the Impacts for Irish Business.
Perhaps You Have Questions Or Feedback In Relation To Covid & Brexit you would like to ask?

This is a 45-minute Q&A webinar on Tuesday 19th of January at 12.30pm.
The Minister will respond to your questions on the impact that Covid & Brexit is having on Irish businesses. It is an opportunity to hear about Brexit developments, our trading reality and Government Strategy to help businesses affected by both major issues.
This will be a facilitated session - to get more out of it, Chamber invites you to tell us your concerns about your business’s future in relation to Covid & Brexit so we can get the Minister to address them.
This is a free remote event. Part of Chamber Online Business Clinic. To register contact info@dungarvanchamber.ie ... See more

How Chamber Businesses Benefitted From Membership in 2020

Dave Connors, Dungarvan Paints and DIY:
“Never has Chamber Membership been of such importance to me or indeed my business as in 2020.

Firstly, the Chamber has been the ''One Stop Shop '' for all information such as Grants, supports and interagency help through the pandemic. This was a huge benefit to me as a member as it saved me countless hours of time and anxiety trying to find things out. The manner in which The Chamber reacted and communicated all the resources that were available was hugely efficient.

Secondly, the benefit of Chamber membership from a personal point of view was also immense. The wellbeing and mental health workshops must be commended, as not only were the Chamber on top of all things Financial but also on personal wellbeing which was a massive part of Recovery.

Needless to say, knowing that the Chamber membership gives me access to a potential €800,00 pot of sales through the Chamber Shopping Voucher Scheme is also hugely encouraging in these dark times and gives me great hope for the future.

The other aspect of membership that has had a big effect on our business is being tagged and promoted through social media. The Chamber has such a large following that being recognised through this format has definitely helped. When people that physically call to our shop say to us they saw us tagged on the Chamber Facebook page is a big benefit.

All of these advantages would not have been available to us as a business had we not been members so it's definitely the first bill on our list to be paid in the future”

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