Ballymena Borough Council has agreed to be the principal sponsor for the 2013 Ballymena Borough Business Excellence Awards. The awards are organised annually by Ballymena Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mayor PJ McAvoy, Anne Donaghy (Town Clerk and Chief Executive), Chris Wales (Chamber Business Development Manager) and Thomas McKillen (Chamber President)

Announcing the sponsorship deal, Thomas McKillen, Chamber President said

“I am delighted to announce that Ballymena Borough Council will be the principal sponsor for the 2013 Business Awards. The Council was also principal sponsor in 2012 and I thank them for their continued support of the awards.

We’ve seen growth in interest, attendance and applications for the awards every year since we started, with last year 440 people attending the Gala evening. It’s always great to see the mix of businesses at the awards, representing sectors from retail to manufacturing to services. And it allows Ballymena to showcase the best businesses and practices to outside bodies perhaps looking to locate new businesses.

I’m glad to say that Chamber has had an excellent working relationship with Ballymena Borough Council over many years and I thank them for their continued support, not only of the awards but Chamber in general. I look forward to this business focused approach continuing into the future”.

Mayor of Ballymena, Alderman PJ McAvoy said “As principal sponsor of the awards, Ballymena Borough Council is fully committed to creating the environment that commerce can operate in. These awards demonstrate the commitment to excellence shown by many businesses within the Borough. Ballymena can be a place for business excellence and we are proud to be home for some globally recognised organisations.

Ballymena Borough Council is delighted to be the principal sponsor at the awards for 2013, and will continue to work in partnership with the local business community to support growth and prosperity for our people and our place – Ballymena.

Minister Arlene Foster MLA visited Ballymena recently and I took the opportunity to invite her to attend the Gala evening in October, and we are now in communication with her office”.

Alison Moore, who heads up the organizing committee for the awards, added

“Planning is already well under way for this year’s awards. Once again Chamber will be employing Insight Mystery Shopping to carry out the judging and the Tullyglass House Hotel, an excellent facility we are fortunate to have in Ballymena, will again be hosting the gala evening. The date for this year’s award ceremony is Thursday 10th October – which may seem a long way off but it will soon come round so put this date in your diary now. I am confident that this will be another brilliant evening”.

If you require any further information about the Business awards please contact Chris Wales at office@ballymenachamber.co.uk or 07876 758 797