As the sun shone on the City of the Tribes on Wednesday last, you may have spotted some enthusiastic entrepreneurs scrambling around the city. The Connacht Hospitality Group staff were taking part in their Apprentice Challenge.
Teams had been working away behind the scenes for the past number of weeks refining and perfecting their offering which were launched on the sun-drenched streets. From customised t-shirts to bespoke postcards to and sustainable compost, the judges were busy taking notes any assessing the creativity and teamwork of each group.
Each year the businesses across the group ask their staff to vote for their favourite charity which they raise funds for during the year. A new element for 2024 was a Galway version of the tv show the Apprentice, with a Sales and a Marketing challenge followed by a board room presentation in front of Connacht Hospitality Group General Manager Wayne Neilon and his advisors Brian Lynch and Jacqueline O Dowd. After a great deal of deliberation the winner was announced to a full house in The Connacht Hotel.
Galway Bay Golf Resort were crowned winners after having raised the most funds on the day as well as excelling in the Marketing task. The funds raised reached a combined total of €5,780 between the five teams, a remarkable achievement in the allocated three hours.
Group General Manager Wayne Neilon described the experience as incredibly rewarding.
““One of the most satisfying elements of the day was to see how our companies values shone through at each stage of the process. It was an opportunity for our teams from across different disciplines to work together in a very different dynamic to their regular working relationship.
“Obviously the funds raised were a wonderful achievement, but the energy and enthusiasm I witnessed was what gave me the greatest sense of satisfaction and pride,” Mr Neilon added.
The teams from The Connacht Hotel, An Pucan, HYDE Hotel, M Fitzgerald’s and Galway Bay Golf Resort have returned to their normal work now but will continue to fundraise for their chosen charities which include, NBCRI, GRCC, The Simon Community, Cope Galway and Croi.
