Six new categories as Chamber urges people to get nominating for Kilkenny Business Awards 2024

It was standing room only in Statham’s in the Pembroke Hotel last Wednesday as Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of the Kilkenny Business Awards 2024.

Chamber President Anne Barber welcomed everyone and made special reference to Vhi Healthcare who are the new main sponsor of the most prestigious event in the local business calendar.

She outlined several new features for this year’s awards programme including the new logo and branding, designed by Simon O’Dwyer and the team at Threesixty Marketing. She pointed out the six new categories and encouraged everyone to begin nominating businesses they know. The six new categories are:

• Age Friendly Business of the Year
• Café, Bar or Restaurant of the Year
• Hotel and Accommodation Providers of the Year
• Night Time Experience Award
• Rural Tourism Award
• Salon of the Year

“Were you impressed by the service you recently received, did someone go the extra mile?” she asked. “Is there a business or a person you admire? We all value feedback and especially from our peers, it is so important. Nominating is a way to recognise that. You make a nomination and a shortly afterwards that person or company gets a call to say they’ve been nominated, and you’ve just made someone’s day!
CHECK OUT THE GLAMOUR AT LAST YEAR'S BUSINESS AWARDS!

“We know from the feedback we get every year that people get so much out of participating in the award process — and that’s without even winning. So you can really make someone’s day by nominating!”

Therese Bourke said that Vhi Healthcare was delighted to support this year’s awards. She said that the company has embedded itself in Kilkenny since it came to the city in 2000 and now employs over 650 people. Kilkenny Chamber and its flagship event, the annual Kilkenny Business Awards, are a good fit for Vhi Healthcare, and she looks forward engaging with the process.

Carolyn Keegan, Channel Marketing Manager with Merlyn (last year’s overall winners) spoke to say that entering and winning the Awards last year meant a huge amount to the management and staff of Merlyn and said that it was a very worthwhile experience to have been through.

Brian Kelly, from MindaClient - the company which developed and services the online application process – introduced some new features for 2024, and emphasised how easy it is to use the platform.

John Hurley, Chamber CEO, encouraged everyone to log on to kilkennychamber.ie and nominate a business they know. He also noted that companies can nominate themselves too. He thanked all involved in the launch, including John Ryan and the staff at the Pembroke Hotel who provided the event venue.

Kilkenny Business Awards 2024 takes place in the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Saturday, November 23. Tickets will go on sale in October.