The SFA National Small Business Awards are recognised as a key event in the Irish business calendar. These prestigious awards represent excellence, innovation and achievement in Irish companies. Shellcove have proudly managed all aspects of this event over the past thirteen years.
The Task
The SFA National Small Business Awards Programme runs throughout many months of the calendar year, typically beginning in September with the winner announced at the highly anticipated awards ceremony in March.
The Solution
Shellcove has managed the programme for over a decade, so we knew exactly where to start. We began by developing a thorough action plan, complete with tasks and deadlines from team meetings, award entries and judging to sponsorship management and the virtual awards ceremony – assuring deadlines for each were achieved.
Our team designed and managed the entry process, creating professional and coherent entry forms, making the programme attractive and accessible to potential applicants. As entries were collected and the deadline reached, we orchestrated the judging process from identifying and sourcing judges to leading comprehensive meetings and making sure applications are processed effectively assuring the selection of worthy finalists and winners.
As the awards programme has evolved, Business Connect has become part of the programme allowing small and large businesses to connect and maximise opportunities in a dedicated forum. You will read more about this part of the programme under ‘Business Connect’ on this website.
As the programme has long serving sponsors the importance of managing these relationships are vital to the success of the project. Shellcove effortlessly managed sponsor relations, enhancing their experience and guaranteeing return on their participation.
Services Delivered
- Programme design and plan
- Sponsorship management
- Judging process
- Meeting management
- Management of entry process
- Marketing and promotion
- Participant Programmes – training and briefing
- Virtual awards ceremony in 2020 & 2021
- AV and production management
- Event management
- Media and communications
- Video production
The Result
The 2024 SFA National Small Business Awards proved to be another successful programme, acknowledging the achievements of some of Ireland’s best small businesses. Through a streamlined planning and entry process and regular participant programme and initiatives the we were able to deliver a truly engaging and memorable programme for the Small Firms Association and all involved.
