Award Categories and Sponsors

Entries are now open in seven categories. Two additional award categories - The Neill O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award and a special award from Castlebar Chamber are decided by the judging panels and do not accept entries.

The 2024 categories are:

1. Resilience & Innovation (sponsored by Portwest)

The winning entry will clearly demonstrate how their business has implemented innovative approaches in the face of challenging circumstances over the past few years and how as a result the business has survived and grown. 

Included in your entry should be:

• Case study showing the success and the value of the innovation 
• Evidence of goals set, the implementation and success of the goals and the resulting impact on the business and position in the market 
• Examples of customer feedback of the innovation

2. Best Emerging Business / Best Start-up (sponsored by PTSB)

This award aims to acknowledge new and emerging businesses and entrepreneurs who have taken the brave step to start their own business. The winner will clearly demonstrate to the judges that they have the potential to grow successful companies which will create employment and maximise opportunities in their marketplace.

Entry should focus on: 

• Recognising the opportunity and the gap in the market 
• Highlighting the achievements and growth of your business to date 
• Outlining future plans for scaling the business 
• Demonstrating an enterprising mindset 
• Evidence of sustainability of the business model

 3. Responsible Tourism (sponsored by Failte Ireland)

Responsible Tourism is defined as “tourism which: minimises negative social, economic and environmental impacts, generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities”.

The award will be presented to the business that: 

• Achieves these goals 
• Best demonstrates how to solve problems in sustainable tourism 
• Introduces unique initiatives that drive this agenda. 
• Provides evidence of creating a tourism experience that makes Mayo the place to visit 

4. Sustainability Initiative Award (sponsored by AIB)

The award is designed to recognise products, processes, or policies that support a greener, more sustainable environment and deliver concrete measures to progress sustainable development. 

Entries should include: 

• Evidence of adapting sustainable business practices within the organisation 
• How the practices benefit the local environment and community 
• Examples of how the initiatives contributes to the achievement of any of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. 

5. Best Digital Presence (sponsored by .ie)

This award will honour innovative digital solutions and the increase in business revenue utilising an online presence. The judging panel will consider: 

• Evidence of using a functional and simple digital process or tool to address a key business goal 
• Evidence of use of digital to target new markets or launch a new service or product. 
• Demonstration of an enhanced customer service experience through the implementation of digital practices. 

6. Accessibility & Inclusion (sponsored by DeCare Dental) 

• Examples of how your products/services, information and facilities are accessible to all regardless to age, mobility or ability 
• Examples of initiatives undertaken to understand the user experience of your product/service and how to improve it 
• Demonstrate how the accessibility culture has been embraced by all in the organisation. 

 7. Excellence in Customer Service (sponsored by Abbvie)

• Repeat business that your company enjoys 
• How you encourage and react to customer feedback 
• Team practices that always make customer needs a priority. 

8. The Neill O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award

This award aims to recognise people who set up businesses in Mayo that flourished into established employers in the county. It recognises the determination of the owners of such businesses and gives them and their teams the recognition they deserve. This award does not require an entry and the deserving recipient will be chosen by the committee of the Mayo Business Awards 2024. 

9. Castlebar Chamber Award (sponsored by Castlebar Chamber)

This award will be chosen by Castlebar Chamber and will recognise a business in Mayo that has significantly and continuously supported business in the local community. No entry is required for this award.