Ballymena businesses were out in force last Thursday (11^th October) at the Gala evening in Tullyglass House Hotel to celebrate the 10^th Ballymena Borough Business Excellence awards. The awards are organised annually by Ballymena Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Principal sponsor this year was Ballymena Borough Council.

President of the Ballymena Chamber of Commerce & Industry Thomas McKillen (front left) and special guests who attended the 10th annual Ballymena Borough Business Awards in Tullyglass Hotel. Back row, L-R, Cllr Lynn McClurg of Carrickfergus Council, North Antrim MP Ian Paisley and Chief Executive of Ballymena Borough Council Mrs Anne Donaghy. Front, L-R, Thomas McKillen, Mayor of Ballymena Alderman PJ McAvoy and Deputy Mayor Carrickfergus Cllr Terence Clements.

Chamber President Thomas McKillen welcomed everyone. He said “On behalf of Ballymena Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here tonight to celebrate our 10^th Ballymena Business Excellence Awards. When we organised the first awards in 2003, little did we think that it would become such a major event in the Ballymena business calendar. The fact that there are 440 people present here this evening, a record attendance, clearly illustrates the high esteem in which the local business community hold this event. 

Tonight is about celebrating the success of the Ballymena Borough Business Community and focusing on the huge contribution made by local Businesses and to highlight the commitment made by individuals. As a Chamber we see this as an excellent event to promote Ballymena to the rest of Northern Ireland as a great place to live, work and do business. 

I would like to thank all our sponsors, especially our principal sponsor Ballymena Borough Council. Chamber has had an excellent working relationship with the Council in recent years and we look forward to building on that relationship in the future. To our individual category sponsors, many of whom return year on year to support the awards, we really are grateful for your support”.

Ballymena Mayor PJ McAvoy said “As Mayor of Ballymena, I am delighted to have been invited to speak at tonight’s awards.  This is the 10^th year of these Awards, the purpose of which is to demonstrate the commitment to excellence shown by many of the businesses within the Borough of Ballymena.

As principal sponsor of the Awards, Ballymena Borough Council is fully committed to creating the environment that commerce can operate in. Ballymena can be a place for business excellence and we are proud to be home for some great globally recognised organisations. The Economic climate only makes us more determined to collaborate jointly and dovetail our strategies and plans together for the benefit of our local people. Such partnership working can assist and support the growth and prosperity, both now and in the future, for our people and our place – Ballymena.

Ballymena Council have launched their Corporate Plan 2012 -2016 this year which focuses on creating jobs, increasing skills and education, growing our local economy, improving health and wellbeing of our citizens, delivering quality, value for money services and continuing to invest in a strong and shared future for the people and place of the Borough of Ballymena.  This clearly indicates our commitment to Ballymena, making it a great place to be”.

Mayor McAvoy then introduced a DVD presentation which gave guests a great overview of the tremendous work of the local business community, as well as communicating the many positive aspects of life in our Borough.

Seven businesses have been sponsors since the awards began in 2003 and in recognition of this, Alison Moore and Chris Wales presented certificates to:

• Ballymena Borough Council
• Ballymena Business Centre
• First Trust Bank
• Gallaher/JTI
• Invest Northern Ireland
• Michelin Tyre PLC
• Ulster Bank

To mark the tenth anniversary of the Ballymena Business Awards presentations were made to the seven companies who have been sponsors of the awards during those ten years. Our picture shows representatives of those companies with Chamber of Commerce & Industry members Alison Moore and Chris Wales. Back, L-R, Wilton Crawford (Michelin Tyre plc), Geoff Wilson (JTI), Chris Wales (Chamber of Commerce), Trevor Robinson (Invest Northern Ireland), James Perry (Ballymena Business Centre). Front, L-R, Kevin McWilliams (First Trust Bank), Anne McCoy (Ulster Bank), Alison Moore (Chamber of Commerce), Alderman PJ McAvoy (Ballymena Borough Council).

After an excellent meal came the highlight of the evening, the presentation of the awards. Gene Fitzpatrick was the compere and the atmosphere was electric and there were great scenes of jubilation as the winners were announced. To celebrate the fact that this was the 10^th year of the awards and also that it was Olympic year, all winners received a commemorative gold medal and all finalists a silver medal.

Audrey Wales MBE received a standing ovation when she was awarded the Commitment to Ballymena award. Her citation included many examples of the work she had done in the Borough and concluded:

“Tonight’s recipient of the Commitment to Ballymena award is an enthusiastic and passionate supporter of business and has driven several key initiatives, instigating real progress for the Northern Ireland and Ballymena business community and the local economy. As a result, she is one of the most networked individuals and has developed links, synergies and contacts across many business forums. Although now technically retired this has only given her more time to focus and assist local businesses and the community – most of this work being voluntary”.

Mayor of Ballymena Alderman PJ McAvoy of category sponsors Ballymena Borough Council presents the Commitment to Ballymena Award to Audrey Wales MBE at the tenth Ballymena Borough Business Excellence Awards in Tullyglass Hotel.

During the evening a draw was held for the Northern Ireland Hospice and the excellent total of almost £3500 was raised.

Two of Ballymena’s most prominent business men William Wright CBE (left) and David Patton MBE (right) make special presentations for 10 years service to Ballymena Borough Chamber of Commerce & Industry to Chris Wales and Alison Moore at the Ballymena Borough Business Excellence Awards in Tullyglass Hotel.