Local Chamber launches 2026 Athlone Business Awards

The 2026 Athlone Business Awards are open for entries, after an official launch recently.

The gala awards night, hosted by Athlone Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Saturday, November 7, at the Radisson Blu Hotel Athlone, where business leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators will gather to celebrate excellence across the region.

The Athlone Business Awards acknowledge the outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals who demonstrate innovation, leadership and commitment in their fields.

With 19 categories on offer, including 'Business Person of the Year' and 'Best Business of the Year', the awards celebrate the strength of Athlone’s commercial community.

Athlone Chamber president Regina Bushell said the award categories are designed to reflect the diversity of the local business community and the different ways in which businesses and individuals contribute to the region.

"Behind every business is a story. It could be an entrepreneur taking an idea and turning it into a business opportunity, a small business creating employment and supporting local suppliers or a large employer investing in skills and innovation throughout Athlone and the wider Midlands region. These stories are what we are here to celebrate," Ms Bushell said.

The president said that running a business is "never easy" with risks involved, but employers continue to serve their community with "determination and courage".

"The success of a business is built through hard work and a willingness to keep going. As a Chamber we have to recognise this and that is why these awards matter," Ms Bushell added.

The president acknowledged that a strong business community provides Athlone with "enormous potential for growth".

"The businesses represented by our awards are those who are turning potential into real progress," Ms Bushell stated.

The president has encouraged businesses in the community "of every size" to consider entering the Athlone Business Awards.

"You don't have to have a perfect story, you just need to tell your real story, what makes you, as a business, different. Sometimes we are busy moving onto the next challenge that we don't stop to think what we have achieved," Ms Bushell continued.

The president also thanked the support of sponsors and partners whose "support allows Athlone Chamber to recognise business excellence" and to "create an event worthy of achievements being celebrated".

Athlone Chamber CEO Tommy Hogan said the awards ceremony was an important occasion allowing for "recognition of the business community who make such a difference in Athlone".

"Athlone Chamber exists to represent and support our business community. We spend our time and energy on the challenges that effect businesses, such as costs, skills, infrastructure, regulations and the wider economic environment.

"However, it is equally important to recognise what is going well within our business community and put these achievements in the spotlight. We want the awards to reflect genuine achievement and provide a credible platform for businesses to showcase what they have accomplished," the CEO said.

The CEO added that he was looking forward to receiving the numerous category entries and hearing the success stories of the previous twelve months.

“The adjudication process is completely independent, with entries assessed on their merits by an independent adjudicator.

"This gives entrants confidence that the awards are about the quality of their achievements rather than simply their profile or size. We are looking forward to seeing the range of entries this year and to celebrating the very best of Athlone business at the Radisson Blu in November," the CEO concluded.

Entries for the 2026 Athlone Business Awards can be completed online at athlonebusinessawards.com. The closing date for entries is Friday, September 25.

Following the closing date, entries will be assessed as part of the independent adjudication process, with finalists announced ahead of the awards night in November.