The Galway Chamber Business Awards 2024, held in partnership with The Shannon Airport Group, brought together 300 attendees at the Galway Bay Hotel on Friday evening for a night of inspiration and celebration. This year’s theme, “Celebration of Place – Mórtas Áite”, honoured the businesses and organisations that shape Galway’s economic, social, and cultural landscape.
The gala event recognised excellence across eight competitive award categories, highlighting innovation, sustainability, and the outstanding contributions of local businesses to the community.
Category Winners and Sponsors
Excellence in Innovation Award Sponsored by PwC
Winner: Buymedia
Buymedia’s AI-driven advertising platform empowers small and medium businesses to maximise their advertising spend. Judges praised their innovative technology, passion, and growth trajectory, which positions them as disruptors in the advertising sector.
Marketing Excellence Award Sponsored by Galway City Council
Winner: Platform94
Platform94 stood out for their exceptional creativity and strategic campaigns, delivering measurable growth while engaging their target audiences effectively.
Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion Award Sponsored by Galway City Council
Winner: Galway Simon Community
Galway Simon Community was recognised for embedding accessibility and diversity into their organisational culture and services. Their efforts to foster inclusivity made a profound impact on Galway’s community.
Scale-Up/Growing Business Award Sponsored by WestBIC and Platform94
Winner: Nibbed
Starting as a home-based business in 2021, Nibbed grew by over 100% year-on-year, showcasing exceptional success in scaling sustainably while staying true to their values.
Culture and Creativity Award Sponsored by Galway Culture Company
Winner: Branar
Branar’s contributions to Galway’s cultural landscape included working with over 70 schools, supporting artists, and taking the first Irish language show to Broadway, elevating Galway’s global cultural reputation.
Best SME Award Sponsored by AIB
Winner: Lorg Media
Lorg Media impressed judges with their innovative use of technology and AI, adapting to the fast-paced social media landscape while diversifying their services across industries.
Sustainability Initiative Award Sponsored by Shannon Airport
Winner: The City Bin Co.
Through their “Sort It” campaign, which reached over 55,000 households and 4,000 businesses, and redevelopment of the Oranmore recycling facility, The City Bin Co. achieved significant reductions in landfill waste.
Best Customer Service in an SME Award Sponsored by PTSB
Winner: Chipright
Chipright’s comprehensive 21-step feedback process demonstrated their commitment to exceptional customer care, creating strong relationships with customers and team members alike.
Galway Chamber Business of the Year 2024
The evening concluded with the announcement of the Galway Chamber Business of the Year 2024, which was awarded to Platform94 for their unparalleled creativity, impactful marketing initiatives, and contributions to Galway’s vibrant business community.
Speaking at the event, Galway Chamber President Cait Noone said:
“Tonight, we celebrate not only the success of individual businesses but also Galway as a thriving hub for innovation, creativity, and community spirit. These awards reflect the incredible talent and determination of our local businesses that make Galway a truly special place to live, work, and thrive.”
Galway Chamber President’s Award 2024: Nuala Kavanagh
The prestigious President’s Award 2024, sponsored by Atlantic Technological University, was awarded to Nuala Kavanagh, originally from Newcastle Park, Galway, now residing in Libertyville, Illinois.
Nuala’s exceptional contributions span decades, focusing on community-building, innovation, and fostering partnerships between Galway and Chicago. As co-chair of Chicago Sister Cities International, she has prioritised mental health, social services, education, and business development, creating lasting impacts across both sides of the Atlantic.
Her commitment to connecting communities and driving positive change embodies the very spirit of this award. Congratulations, Nuala!
The awards night was a collaborative effort made possible by the support of sponsors: PwC, Galway City Council, The Shannon Airport Group, AIB, PTSB, WestBIC, Platform94, and Galway Culture Company. Special thanks go to the Galway Bay Hotel for hosting the event, Hiya Events for captivating performances throughout the night, and Sound to Light for creating an unforgettable atmosphere. Thank you to the media partners, The Galway Advertiser.
Congratulations to all winners, finalists, and participants for their remarkable achievements. Together, they exemplify the best of Galway’s business community.
