Ballymena businesses were out in force last Thursday (1st October) at the Gala evening in Tullyglass House Hotel to celebrate the 13th Ballymena Business Excellence awards. The awards are organised annually by Ballymena Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the principal sponsor this year was Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. 

Back Row: Chris Wales, Ian Paisley MP, Chamber President Alan Stewart, Gene Fitzpatrick, Dean John Bond and Aiden Donnelly Front Row: Lisa Stewart, Councillor Audrey Wales MBE and Joyce Bond

Chamber President Alan Stewart 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 13th Ballymena Business Excellence Awards. The fact that there are 500 people present here this evening clearly illustrates the high esteem in which the local business community hold this event. 

Chamber President Alan Stewart addresses the audience.

Tonight is about celebrating the success of the Ballymena Business Community andfocusing 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 Mid and East Antrim 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”.

Councillor Audrey Wales MBE, Chair of Economic Growth and Development said that she was delighted to represent Mid and East Antrim Borough Council at such a prestigious event. She said “As I look around this room all I can say is WOW!! Yet again Chamber has produced an amazing attendance and excellent programme confirming this as the biggest Business Awards Ceremony in Northern Ireland with almost 500 attending. As Chair of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council’s Economic Development & Growth Committee, I am delighted. Proof if it were needed that Ballymena and its villages are indeed – Open for Business. 

Councillor Audrey Wales MBE, Chair of Economic Growth and Development, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

As we all know, the purpose of the awards is to demonstrate the commitment to excellence shown by businesses within the Ballymena area. As principal sponsors of this year’s awards, Mid & East Antrim Borough Council is fully committed to creating an environment in which commerce operates successfully. 

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. The current economic climate although showing signs of recovery  makes us more determined to collaborate and work jointly with businesses to ensure our strategies and plans benefit our local people.

We are beginning the development of Mid and East Antrim Borough Councils first Integrated Economic Strategy and I can assure you that we will engage widely with local businesses and work in partnership to support growth and prosperity across the Borough for all our citizens. Growing our economy is the number one priority for our council. 

I appreciate business is challenging but tonight is about a celebration of excellence within our businesses.  May I congratulate everyone who has entered the Business Awards and again commend Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their dedication and continued efforts in organising this prestigious event.  

Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen enjoy the evening.”

You can view our full gallery of winners and guests by clicking here.