Network Galway are hosting the Annual Network Ireland Conference and Network Ireland Galway Now Business Woman of the Year Awards in Galway on the 8^th October 2010.The theme this year is “Believers are Achievers”

The Annual Conference is the show case event of the year and will be in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway, www.galwaybayhotel.com. 

There is a great line up of speakers - including:

• Jack Black, Mindstore, one of the great motivational speakers and personal trainers of our time.
• Enda O’Coineen, Chairman of Green Dragon Syndicate; Author; Financier; Initiator of bringing the Volvo Ocean Race to Galway
• Veronica Canning – Shoeisms
• Deirdre Bounds – Entrepreneur
• Julia Cinnamon – Entreprise Ireland
• Liz Cassidy - EU Female Entrepreneurship Ambassador
• Guest MC is Senator David Norris.

The Network Galway Annual Business Women of the Year Awards took place in the Claregalway Hotel last Friday April 23.The evening kicked off at 7pm with a champagne reception and networking, followed by a five course dinner, after dinner speech by special guest Deputy Enda Kenny presentation of the awards with Lisa Brady as MC and dancing until late to the sound of Restless.

Enda Kenny gave an inspirational speech about female entrepreneurs and how they should be applauded for creating jobs and inspiring others in this difficult time. He went onto say that many businesses are finding themselves in difficulty due the banks refusing credit and that instead of judging those businesses that fail, we should be lending them support and encouragement .He lauded Network Galway for holding the awards and said that this year more than any other year they are needed to celebrate the great talent evident in Galway and encourage others to follow sooth

The Network Galway Annual Business Women of the Year Awards winners were as follows:

Network Galway Business Woman of the Year (Employee).

• Karen Barrett – The Carlton Hotel

Network Galway Business Woman of the Year (New Business).

• Julia McAndrew – Compleat travel essentials

Network Galway Business Woman of the Year (Self Employed).

• Jenny Beale – Brigit’s Garden

Network Galway Business Woman of the Year (Presidents Award)

• Áine Walsh – Misneach School of reflexology

Network Galway Outstanding Business Woman of the Year

• Nollaig Kelly – Vicar Street Florists

Speaking at the awards, Sinead O’Connell, President Network Galway said “The awards are about celebrating and recognising the amazing contribution that women have made and continue to make to business life in Galway. In these challenging times it is now more important than ever to support, encourage and celebrate our fellow women in business. Unlike other award ceremonies this one is "for women by women" and considering the high calibre of business woman in Galway. The winners from the first three categories are then put forward for The Network Ireland National Awards in 2011”

Sponsors were: Talktoeu.ie; RDJ Glynn Solicitors; Busylizzie Lifestyle Management; Kilgallon PR; Galway Independent and The Claregalway Hotel.

Leader of Fine Gael Enda Kenny TD has been confirmed as the special guest at this year's Annual Network Galway Business Women of the Year Awards. The annual event celebrates excellence and innovation in business. Previous winners have included Anne Flanagan, Galway Oyster Festival, Liz Cassidy, Irish Time Design, Patricia McCrossan, Galway Now, Hannah Kiely, H-C Financial Services and Peggy Carty O’Brien, to name but a few.

This year’s awards are being held in The Award Winning Claregalway Hotel, Claregalway, Co. Galway on Friday 23 April. It promises to be a spectacular black-tie affair, according to the event organiser, President of Network Galway Sinead O’Connell. Nominations are currently being sought to find the Business Women of the Year for 2010 and nomination forms are available from networkgalway@gmail.com. Speaking on the announcement of Enda Kenny as the Guest of Honour, Mrs. O’Connell said the acceptance of Enda Kenny was indeed a great honour for the organisation, which works to promote the contribution women make to business.

She also said that having Enda Kenny attend and present the awards provides a wonderful endorsement to the nominees and eventual winners, as well as to Network Galway itself. "This type of acknowledgment for the work we do is crucial and very much appreciated."

The launch of the sixth Annual Network Galway Business Woman of the Year Awards will take place in The Award Winning Claregalway Hotel, Claregalway, Co. Galway on Monday 22 March at 7pm. Members and guests are welcome.

Further details about the awards ceremony are available on www.networkgalway.com.

The evening is being sponsored by Aviva Healthcare and will feature diverse speakers on a range of topics related to women’s health. Speakers such as Allison Feeley from Cancer Screening,

Damien Flaherty from Aviva Healthcare, Sarah Hughes from Hughes Herbal Medicine based in Health & Herbs, Sea Road and Jacquie Horan from COPE Galway

President of Network Galway 2010 Sinead O Connell said “We are delighted to host this meeting and our guest speakers will provide all the information you need to ensure you have a healthy body & mind for a healthy business. The meeting starts off with Networking from 6.15pm with light refreshments followed by presentations from the speakers. The event is open to members and non – members alike”

Network Galway was established in 1988, providing a forum for women in business, the professions and the arts to establish or increase contact at a business and social level.  They assist and encourage women in the on-going development of their careers, in marketing their skills and expertise and also liaise with complementary National organizations.

Three of the newly elected European Commission’s female ambassadors are headlining the Network Galway open evening, which takes place on Wednesday the 20^th of January at 6pm in the Carlton Hotel, Galway. Liz Cassidy and Judy Greene were selected by Galway Chamber of Commerce, together with Audrey Kinahan, University Pharmacy, as individuals who have excelled in their area of business and who are role models to women in business, to represent the Western region as Female Entrepreneurship Ambassadors.

President of Network Galway 2010 Sinead O Connell said “We are delighted that three of our countries most influential business women will join us as our guest speakers. This is a fantastic opportunity to network and kick off 2010 in style by joining us for some food and a glass of wine on the evening. The event is open to members and non – members alike”

Network Galway was established in 1988, providing a forum for women in business, the professions and the arts to establish or increase contact at a business and social level.  They assist and encourage women in the on-going development of their careers, in marketing their skills and expertise and also liaise with complementary National organisations.