Meath Business & Tourism Awards return for a celebration of resilience and bravery
And we're back!
The Meath Chronicle is delighted to be hosting its 11th annual Meath Business and Tourism Awards with the valued partnership of Meath County Council and Boyne Valley Tourism, our associates in AIB and all our wonderful sponsors.
Having missed out on last year because of 'you-know-what' we are delighted to be celebrating the achievements and success of so many great businesses from across the county in person at the Newgrange Hotel.
Since our last ‘big night out’ in Dunboyne in 2019, so much has changed. The world has changed, life has changed, everything we take for granted has been tested and certainly our ways of doing business have changed irrevocably.
Companies across Meath have shown remarkable agility, innovation and courage to power through the pandemic with, in many cases, odds stacked against them. The businesses and entrepreneurs featured in our shortlist for Meath Business & Tourism Awards are already winners, trailblazers and local heroes.
You kept the lights on in a time of real darkness and your inclusion in the shortlist for these awards direct that light for those who will follow your lead.
Given the dynamic of the last 18 months we felt we needed to look closely at the structure of our awards, to reflect the 'new normal' we find ourselves in, and as a result we introduced some new categories reflecting the family bonds that can drive great businesses.
We saw the need to look at how resilient businesses had to become, pivoting to new ways of operating while we had to acknowledge the businesses embracing innovation to help tackle the climate crisis that impacts us all. So congratulations to each and every one of our finalists. A huge thanks to all who entered and we owe a debt of gratitude to our judging panel who once again had a difficult and unenviable task. Led by Des Foley, Director of Services with Meath County Council, a big thank you to Conor Corry, AIB; Gary O'Meara; Meath Enterprise; Kevin Stewart, formerly of Meath County Council, Michele Whelan, Discover Boyne Valley and John Keogan, Celtic Media Group.
I would also like to acknowledge all our sponsors, many have been with us from year one and whom without, these awards would simply not happen.
Like our nominees, these fine organisations and companies have managed to keep providing employment to huge numbers of people during this most difficult time and provide support to our communities and local economy. We are so proud to have you as sponsors and friends.
I also want to recognise the driving force behind these awards since their inception in 2007, Celtic Media Group's Commercial Consultant, Mary McGuigan, who has worked tirelessly to ensure our 2021 ceremony goes ahead in a safe and celebratory manner we know it will be.
If ever there was a year to celebrate survival, resilience, determination and sheer bravery, this is it and indeed we will say that all our MBTA21 entrants and shortlisted nominees are confirmed winners in those categories. We wish all our finalists the very best of luck and continued success into 2022 and we in the Meath Chronicle look forward to sharing that journey with you.
Gavan Becton
Editor
Here is the Shortlist...
Best Green Business:
• Greenline Plumbing Services
• Decoy Country Cottages
• Rock Farm, Slane
Local Enterprise Office Award:
• Nationwide Safety Training
Network Ltd.
• Robo Apply Ltd.
• CalX Instrumentation Services Ltd.
Best Customer Service Award:
• Brogans Butchers
• Mother Hubbards Childcare
• Our Salon
Business Resilience Award
• Causey Farm
• Trimfold Envelopes
• Dunshaughlin Dance
Emerging Business Award
• Martinstown Lodge
• Navan Adventure Centre
• Saraden Designs
Best Family Business Award
• Topline Murtaghs
• The Snailbox
• Finnegan’s Farm
Best Not for Profit
Organisation
• Core
• Dunderry Fair
• Wilkinstown Community Centre
Responsible Tourism Award
• Loughcrew Estate & Gardens
• Decoy Country Cottages
• Tayto Park
Best Tourism Experience Award
• Beewise
• Custom Irish Tourism
• Sofft Productions