2026 Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards – Pictured above are Connor Cunnane, BD, Damien Lee, Treaty Software, Emma Morgan, Vice President Limerick Chamber, Donnacha Hurley, CEO Limerick Chamber, Gillian Barry, TUS and Graham Burns, Awards Committee Chair and Glenn Graham, AIB. Picture: ilovelimerick

2026 Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards and President’s Dinner will celebrate excellence, driving regional impact

Limerick Chamber is proud to announce the launch of the 2026 Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards, in partnership with Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), alongside the return of the President’s Dinner, supported by AIB. This dual-headline event -the largest annual business gathering in the Mid-West – will take place on Friday, 13^th  November 2026 at the Limerick Strand Hotel, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders to celebrate the achievements and ambition of the Mid-West  business community.

Donnacha Hurley, Chief Executive Officer, Limerick Chamber said, “The Awards highlight the businesses that are not just succeeding but actively shaping the region’s future. As the voice of business in the Mid-West, Limerick Chamber is proud to champion the companies driving our region forward. From ambitious startups to global exporters, these awards recognise the real engines of growth and innovation. They reflect the strength, diversity, and resilience of our business community. If your business is making an impact, now is the time to step forward and be recognised  I strongly encourage you to enter ,” said Mr Hurley.

The awards are open to all businesses across the region, Chamber membership is not required to apply, and the judging process is independently assessed. Each category has been developed to reflect business excellence across different sizes, sectors, and impact areas.

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2026 Award Categories

• Best Emerging Business (sponsored by Limerick City & County Council)

• Best SME: Regional Business Excellence Award (sponsored by AIB)

• Best Employer: People & Culture Excellence Award

• CSR: Community Impact Award (sponsored by Limerick Chamber Skillnet)

• Sustainability and Environmental Leadership Award (sponsored by EY)

• Customer Experience Excellence Award :Retail & Hospitality (sponsored by BDO)

• Innovation & Digital Transformation Award (sponsored by Holmes)

• Best Not-for-Profit Impact Award (sponsored by Northern Trust)

• Best Overall Business of the Year (sponsored by TUS) – selected from category winners

Note on Applications:

The process is a digital-first application form, enabling businesses to easily present their impact, ambition, and growth story for our panel of judges. Entries close mid-September, and all shortlisted companies will receive complimentary attendance at the awards ceremony.

Maria Gleeson, President of Limerick Chamber, commented, “The awards embody the spirit of the Limerick Chamber community, a community that is diverse, driven, and deeply collaborative. We celebrate the companies that are not only growing but also giving back, innovating, and shaping the region’s future. The President’s Dinner provides a unique moment to reflect on progress and unite the voices that advocate for investment, talent, and policy focus for the Mid-West.”

The Limerick Chamber President’s Dinner and Regional Business Awards is a black-tie evening attracting over 400 guests, including national stakeholders, public representatives, and regional business leaders. The evening begins with the President’s Dinner, during which the recipient of the President’s Award is announced, this is an honour recognising an individual or organisation that has made an exceptional contribution to the Mid-West. This is followed by the Awards Ceremony, culminating in the announcement of the Best Overall Business of the Year, selected from the eight category winners.

Owen O’Neill, Site Lead, BD, recipient of 2025 Best Overall Business award, reflected on the impact, “Winning these awards was a milestone moment for our team. It gave us meaningful recognition and opened new conversations with partners, customers, and talent. The exposure raised our profile locally and nationally; this acknowledgment was more than an honour; it was a catalyst.”

Returning as the President’s Dinner sponsor and Best SME Award sponsor, AIB continues to demonstrate its alignment with the Chamber’s vision of strengthening business across the Mid-West.

Glenn Graham, Business Banking, AIB Limerick, shared, “Our partnership with Limerick Chamber reflects a shared commitment to the success of Irish business. From emerging enterprises to long-established SMEs, we are proud to support and spotlight those driving employment, innovation, and opportunity across the Mid-West.”

TUS, title sponsors of the Regional Business Awards and sponsor of the Best Overall Business of the Year category, continues to bridge the gap between industry and education.

 Prof Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, said, “TUS is proud to be the long-standing main sponsor of the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards. These awards recognise the companies and people whose ambition, leadership and enterprise help drive the Mid-West forward. As a university deeply connected to the region, we are committed to celebrating the businesses shaping its future.”

Dr Gillian Barry, Head of Innovation & Enterprise at TUS, added, “Many businesses are doing exceptional work that is not always visible beyond their own teams, customers or sectors. The awards are a chance to put your organisation’s work in front of the region’s business community and gain recognition from customers, partners and peers. If your team is doing work that deserves to be seen, this is the moment to tell that story and put your organisation forward.”

The 2026 programme is made possible through the generous support of our category sponsors: TUS, AIB, EY, Northern Trust, Limerick City & County Council, Holmes, BDO, and Limerick Chamber Skillnet.

We also thank our local media partners who continue to amplify the voices and achievements of the Mid-West business community, our media partners play an essential role in ensuring these stories are seen, shared, and celebrated.

For entries, criteria, and updates on the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards and President’s Dinner, visit: www.limerickchamber.ie