The 2016 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards were launched at a reception in the Braid on Tuesday 9^th August. This is the 14^th year of the awards which are organised annually by Ballymena Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is the principal sponsor for this year’s awards.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Cllr. Audrey Wales MBE, Deputy Mayor Alderman William McNeilly and Chamber President Ronan McCann with special guests and the sponsors at the launch of the 2016 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards

Chamber President Ronan McCann welcomed everyone to the reception.

He said “Little did we think that when we organised the first awards in 2003 that they would become such an important and prestigious event. Just looking around this morning, this is the largest attendance I remember at an awards launch – this demonstrates that the interest in the Business awards is stronger than ever.  These awards help to celebrate the huge contribution made by our business community. The economic environment has been very tough in the last year, and these awards show the commitment of individuals and the business excellence that exists in the Borough.

I would like to thank Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for agreeing to be principal sponsor again this year and I assure you that Chamber will do everything to make this year’s awards the most successful yet. I would like to thank all other businesses who have sponsored awards or taken an advertisement in the awards brochure – without your support there would be no awards.

The judging this year will again be carried out by Insight Mystery Shopping – it is entirely independent of Chamber thereby ensuring the integrity of the awards.

The awards brochure will be circulated throughout the Ballymena area and I would also ask everyone here this morning to encourage your customers and business contacts to enter the awards. There are 21 awards this year so there is a category to suit everyone – large or small businesses, retail, hospitality or industrial and individual awards as well. I look forward to the Gala Evening on Thursday 20^th October”.

Anne Donaghy (Chief Executive Mid and East Antrim Borough Council), Chris Wales (Chamber of Commerce), Mayor Cllr. Audrey Wales MBE, Ronan McCann (Chamber of Commerce President) and Alison Moore (Chamber of Commerce) at the launch of the 2016 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Audrey Wales MBE said

“In this the 14th year of the awards we will once again be paying tribute to the entrepreneurship and excellence across the range of businesses in the Ballymena area.

The Ballymena Business Excellence Awards continue the theme of building towards the future. They recognise, reward and promote those businesses throughout the Ballymena area who consistently strive to better their product, service, facility, workplace and involvement in the community. Ballymena is a great place to do business and we are proud to be home to some great globally recognised organisations and extremely successful home grown ones. 

Our belief in Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry to consistently deliver this vitally important annual event has never wavered. The awards feature many categories and by entering, businesses will not only have the opportunity to gain recognition and publicity for their achievements, but also the opportunity to boost staff morale, company image and customer confidence. 

I would like to wish everyone success in the Business Awards and commend Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their continued dedication in organising this prestigious event again for the fourteenth year”.

The Gala Awards Evening this year takes place on Thursday 20th October in Tullyglass House Hotel. This is now a major event in the Ballymena business and social calendar, so put the date in your diary now. Last year almost 500 guests attended the Gala Evening and this year will be another great evening.

You can download a 2016 Awards brochure or entry form by clicking here.

If you have any queries, or to book your tickets for the Gala Evening, please contact Chris Wales at office@ballymenachamber.co.uk or by telephone 07876 758797.