The Meath Business & Tourism Awards is celebrating its 10th year!
THE Meath Business and Tourism Awards will this year celebrate its 10th year of honouring and recognising excellence in the Royal county.
Slane Distillery was last year’s Overall Business winner while Decoy Country Cottages scooped the coveted Overall Tourism award. Now applications are open to enter this year’s special MBTAs.
The awards - to be held on November 15th - are one the highlights of the business calendar and this year will move back to where they started, Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa.
The official launch of the awards was held on Monday in Buvinda House and was hosted by Cathaoirleach Wayne Harding. Meath Co Council have been proud partners of the Meath Chronicle in hosting the awards since 2009.
Noel Moran, Ecomm/PFS; Mary McGuigan, Group Business Manager, CMG: Gavan Becton, Editor Meath Chronicle and Frank Mulrennan, MD Celtic Media.
Kevin Stewart, MCC, Benny Sheridan, Sheridan Inurances, Eoghan O'Neill, Tara Mines and XXXXXXX and Wayne Harding, Cathaoirleach MCC.
Managing Director at Celtic Media Group, Frank Mulrennan said he was delighted that the awards were returning to Dunboyne and said the previous winners from the last decade would be invited back for the special event.
“It will be a tribute and a way of showing what
great business people and entrepreneurs we have in this county.”
He paid tribute to the business partners that have helped shape the success of the MBTA’s over the last 10 years. “Events like these only work well when you have support from the likes of Meath Co Council, AIB and Boyne Valley Tourism.”
GET A GLIMPSE OF WHAT THE PITCH NIGHT IS ALL ABOUT
He also praised Sheridan Insurances, eComm/PFS, Alltech and Boliden Tara Mines and for their valued and loyal support over the last 10 years.
Speaking at the launch, Director of Services for Meath Co Council, Kevin Stewart said: “We started this at a time when nobody had anything and everybody was struggling and times were hard. And between us we came up with the idea of the awards to just get people out and meeting up and try and put a smile back on their faces for a night and it grew from there. Then, as the economy grew, we saw more and more businesses get involved and the event just got bigger and better. As a Council, we’re delighted to be involved and to suppport it every year.”
ENTRIES OPEN NOW - CLICK HERE FOR DETAIL ON HOW TO ENTER
Helen Stanton, Devenish Nutrition with Kevin Stewart, MCC.
Kevin Stewart will also return to MC the special ‘Pitch Night’ on 30th October where shortlisted businesses and organisations meet the judges, and each other, to ‘pitch’ their businesses and hopefully impress enough to scoop a precious category award on the big night in November. “It’s where we always see the quality of our entries. It always leaves us scratching our heads as to who will win the categories and overall prizes. We just want to encourage as many entries as possible and I know it will be a great event and occasion no matter who the winners are.”
Conor Corry, AIB at the MBTA launch
Conor Corry of AIB said they were delighted to be once again on board as associate sponsors and that he looked forward to AIB Navan once again hosting the Pitch
Night
“It was a brilliant occasion last year for the town and businesses involved, we were packed to the rafters but it was wonderful for us to be able to showcase the branch and to meet people so we look forward to doing it all again next month.
“I was lucky enough to be on the judging panel last year and it was very difficult to pick winners such was the calibre of entries.
“I believe the standard of competition will be similar again this year and I look forward to the night in Dunboyne Castle.
For businesses looking to enter the MBTA’s please fill in the entry form (here) and in the paper return as soon as possible.