Lorette Rafferty, Galway County Council; Brian Bourke, Sales & Marketing Manager, The Hardiman; Trish Kelly, Fáilte Ireland; Sally-Ann O'Brien, Galway City Tourism Officer; Niamh Stack, Manager, Galway Convention Bureau; Stefan Lundström, Chairperson, Galway Convention Bureau; and Patrick Walsh, General Manager, The Hardiman.

Awards to recognise Galway's international ambassadors

Published: Fri 9 Oct 2026, 10:30 AM

GALWAY Convention Bureau will honour the local ambassadors who brought global recognition to Galway.

The inaugural Galway Ambassador Recognition Awards will be held on Thursday, November 12 at The Hardiman Hotel.

It will recognise the vital contributions of Galway-based academics, researchers, clinicians, industry leaders and professional association members, who helped bring international conferences, meetings and business events to the county.

Business events generate significant economic and social benefits for Galway, supporting local businesses, showcasing the region's expertise on a global stage and creating opportunities for collaboration, innovation and investment.

The Convention Bureau emphasises that business event delegates are worth three times more to the local economy than leisure visitors.

The organisation is working on a pipeline of business events that will be delivered between now and 2030, bringing an estimated 30,000 delegates to the region and generating €43.5 million for the local economy.

“These inaugural awards are an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the individuals who champion Galway internationally,” said Niamh Stack, Manager of Galway Convention Bureau.