Manufacturing & Supply Chain

The Irish Exporters Association, in partnership with platinum sponsors KPMG and Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, has announced that the 18^th Export Industry Awards are now open for applications and launched the Alumni Programme for 2018. Companies can now submit their online application at http://www.irishexporters.ie/export-industry-awards/ to compete across 11 export industry related categories and be in with a chance to be announced Exporter of the Year 2018 at a Gala Dinner and Awards night on the 16^th of November at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin in the company of over 530 senior industry professionals.

Launched in 2016 and this year designed in conjunction with platinum sponsors KPMG and Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, the Export Industry Awards Alumni Programme is open to past category winners and former shortlisted Export Industry Award winners as well as applicants of the 2018 Awards. This year’s schedule of events will include an Awards Alumni Masterclass held at the Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin in September, and two half day seminars including case studies from recent category winners in June in Dublin, and September in Cork, on international business development strategies and on building resilience in the Irish export industry.

The event is supported by a number of corporate and industry sponsors: KPMG, Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, Bord Bia, Dixon International Logistics, Enterprise Ireland, Facebook, GS1 Ireland, The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), and media partner The Sunday Times.

Programme of events:

·         20^th May – Applications Open.
Companies can now apply for the 18^th Export Industry Awards at http://www.irishexporters.ie/export-industry-awards

·         13^th June – Awards Outreach Seminar, Dublin
This Seminar will educate and inform exporters on international business development strategies and barriers to overcome in the current geo-political environment. Event open to all.

·         5^th September – Awards Outreach Seminar, Cork
This Seminar will educate and inform exporters of on international business development strategies and barriers to overcome in the current geo-political environment. Event open to all.

·         16^th September – Closing Date for Applications

·         20^th September –Masterclass for Alumni, Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin

·         16^th November – Export Industry Awards, Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin

Simon McKeever, Chief Executive, Irish Exporters Association, commented: “The Export Industry Awards have been recognising the tremendous achievements of companies working in the industry for 17 years and has been growing in strength and recognition each year. The latest CSO data released last week shows that unadjusted value of goods exports decreased by 7% in March 2018 (when compared with March 2017), however exports for Q1 show an overall increase of 4.3% compared to last year. The current uncertainty regarding the outcomes of the Brexit negotiations requires the Irish export community to build resilience in an increasingly uncertain global trade environment. There are many opportunities and we need to support our exporters to attain them, and then celebrate their successes which can remain largely under the radar, for these companies are fighting hard for Ireland Inc on an international platform. We are delighted to work with platinum sponsors KPMG and  Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin this year on the programme of events surrounding the Export Industry Awards and Alumni Programme. Our aim is to facilitate a programme of events that will inform and educate the export community and where past Export Industry Award winners can benefit from the knowledge of our project partners and remain involved in this important industry programme.”

Marie Armstrong, Partner, KPMG in Ireland, commented: “We are delighted to support the Export Industry Awards and their recognition of innovation, quality and the development of new markets. Exports are fundamental to Ireland’s economic health, help raise the very high standards of our goods and services and sustain tens of thousands of jobs. We wish all of the participants in this year’s awards every success.”

Michael Flynn, Director of Executive Education, Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, said: “Trinity Business School constantly works to empower Irish business growth and leadership which is why we are delighted to support the Export Industry Awards. An export focused approach is essential for companies operating in Ireland’s open and globally competitive economy. The international success of nominees benefits all of us and we look forward to celebrating with them this year.”

About the Export Industry Awards

The Irish Exporters Association’s Export Industry Awards in its 18th year is the premier event for recognising the achievements of Irish Exporters. The event is supported by a number of corporate and industry sponsors: KPMG, Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, Bord Bia, Dixon International Logistics, Enterprise Ireland, Facebook, GS1 Ireland, The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), and media partner The Sunday Times. It is important that we highlight the exporting companies who have excelled in their sector despite some difficult trading conditions and to highlight exporters who have been fundamental to Ireland’s success. Over 530 export industry professionals will attend this black tie event on 16^th of November. The award categories cover the emerging exporters to established indigenous exporters of manufactured goods, services, software and onward to the multinational companies.

CAPTION:

Pictured (L-R): Simon McKeever, Chief Executive, Irish Exporters Association; Marie Armstrong, Partner, KPMG in Ireland; and Michael Flynn, Director of Executive Education, Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin.