Nominations are now closed for the JCI Galway Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 Awards which this year will see entrants compete for the largest prize package on offer for any entrepreneurial award in the region.
The Junior Chamber International Galway Young Entrepreneur competition is now in its 13th year and has become one of the most important events for the Galway business community. The competition aims to recognise, encourage, and reward innovative entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 40 in Galway city and county, who contribute to the community, create much valued employment, and make a difference to the local economy.
A prize package worth more than €52,000 will make a considerable difference to the winner and runners-up.
In the coming weeks, entrants will be assessed on their business acumen and entrepreneurial accomplishments. The competition involves three stages, beginning this week with the first round of interviews being conducted at Level One offices in Parkmore. The finalists will be announced on October 24 at a cheese and wine networking event sponsored by the Claregalway Hotel where they will have an opportunity to meet with sponsors, judges and JCI members before the the second round finalists are announced.
The second round of judging involves on-site visits where further assessments will be carried out at their premises by a second panel of judges. The final step involves a brief on stage interview on the final awards night to be held at the Claregalway Hotel on November 18.
The Galway Advertiser will continue to provide extensive editorial support to the GYE competition, with both entrants and finalists profiled in special features over the coming weeks. According to the feedback from previous entrants, this is of great benefit to any business in creating profile and brand awareness.
This year sees the reintroduction of a daytime seminar and exhibition on the day of the awards ceremony, which will showcase new and emerging Galway businesses. The seminar will include talks and discussions on business related matters which will be given by the sponsors. This exhibition will be attended by public and private funding bodies which will be on hand to offer advice and mentoring. Members of the public are also invited to attend and gain valuable knowledge from experienced professionals for a nominal fee. Further details of this event will be published in the coming weeks.
The awards ceremony on November 18 will commence with a drinks reception followed by a four-course dinner before the interviews begin. JCI senator and well-known motivational speaker Pádraic ÓMáille will be the MC on the night and will conduct informal on stage interviews with each of the finalists. With more than 22 years of experience, Pádraic ÓMáille is co-founder of ÓMáille Group and BizPal, two businesses that help business owners and managers build better businesses. He has worked with and learned from some of Ireland’s greatest achievers in business and life, and year on year he strives to put the finalists at ease and help them promote themselves and their business in the best possible way, as well as entertaining the audience.
As well as the substantial prize package, the winner will be presented with the JCI GYE perpetual trophy.
JCI is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation, which provides opportunities for members to contribute to the community, and develop new skills and network. They run many projects annually, but the Galway Young Entrepreneur competition has been the project which has grown over the past 12 years and copper-fastened JCI to the local business community. Monthly member meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month at in the Harbour Hotel. New members are always welcome.
For further information on GYE please email [email protected] or contact Oisin Concannon 086-8904084.
The full list of sponsor for the JCI Galway Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 are:
• Galway Advertiser - €17,500
• Level One - €10,000
• DHKN - €5,000
• Castle Print - €3,000
• NUIGalway TTO - €3,000
• The Results Group - €3,000
• RDJ Glynn Solicitors - €2,500
• Galway Executive Skillnet - €2,265
• O’Connor Forde €1,500
• Proof Design Studio - €1,000
• MÓR Public Relations - €1,000
• Roche Accounting - €750
• Blueprint Coaching & Training - €500
• OMG Business Connections - €500
• Nokia Care Galway - €500
