Start nominating...The Meath Business & Tourism Awards are back!
The 14th Meath Business & Tourism Awards will take place at Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim on 25th November.
The awards, hosted by Meath Chronicle in partnership with Meath County Council, will celebrate the achievements of Meath's brightest and best businesses in what is always seen as one of the social events of the year.
Last year the overall Business award was won by Finnegan’s Farm of Balrath, while Loughcrew Estate and Gardens won the overall Tourism award.
There are 10 categories across business and tourism in this year's awards including a new award - Best in Training and SME’s award sponsored by Dunboyne College of Further Education.
Noel and Valerie Moran of Ecomm are confirmed as sponsors as are Sheridan Insurances (Benny and Miriam) who have been supporters of these awards since its inception in 2007 and have championed the Not For Profit category ever since.
Speaking at the launch of the 2022 MBTA's, editor of Meath Chronicle, Gavan Becton said:
“In what is a very challenging time for so many businesses we are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them and share their stories of resilience, innovation and ambition. We’re really looking forward to 25th November and what will be a great night of celebration for our wonderful local businesses.”
Director of Services at Meath Co Council, Des Foley, said that after a couple of "very uncertain years" it was wonderful to get the awards up and running late last year and that this year's renewal at Knightsbrook Hotel would be even more special.
"You could see the enthusiasm people had for the awards and for getting back out there again and talking business with each other, so we hope and trust it will be even bigger and better this year.
"There is so much going on in the county and the Council is at the heart of everything that's happening in the county in economic development terms, whether it's through our Local Enterprise Offices or through Meath Partnership or Boyne Valley Tourism and our planning function, we want to help business.
"There is so much happening with indigenous business in the county. The demand is not so much about new businesses moving in but for existing businesses here looking to expand and grow and move to new sites if they're available to them. There's a lot happening and I think these Meath Business and Tourism Awards give recognition to that and to those who are doing well in the county.
Principal of Dunboyne College, Dennis Leonard, said DCFE was delighted to be associated with the awards and said that as the only dedicated college of further education in the county they wanted to grow alongside Meath businesses.
"We started back in 2003 with 30 students, as of this morning, we've 1,030 so we've come a long way but we want to continue to grow and grow in conjunction with business and in that regard we must pay tribute to Meath Co Council which, over the years, has allowed to stay where we are in the business campus in Dunboyne but also helped us secure a brand new site which they've also been instrumental in helping us secure and where we hope to provide the complete solution to all the further education needs of the county into the future. For that reason we are delighted to sponsor the Training in SME award."
Tayto Park founder Ray Coyle was also remembered at the launch event. Ray, who sadly passed away earlier this year received an Outstanding Achievement Award at last year’s ceremony.
RTE presenter and Rathcairn native Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh returns again as MC for the prestigious event.