A Galway-based international business, which has been shortlisted for one of Ireland’s leading  innovation awards, will be one of three companies competing in the  ‘Fintech’ category of the annual Irish Times Innovation Awards, due to be showcased in the coming weeks.

Nominated for its ‘Conversation Hub’, Econiq’s specialised technology provides consumer-facing companies, including major banks and insurers, with real-time feedback and added value insights on their one-to-one conversations with customers.

Econiq’s proven technology guides front-line staff to ensure that they optimise their engagement time with existing and prospective customers and has been proved to deliver significant benefits in accelerating business-customer relations.

A ‘Conversation Behaviour Intelligence Company’, Econiq has offices in The Dock in Galway city, and in Boston in the US.

Econiq is described as the Conversation Behaviour Intelligence Company, helping brand-conscious organisations transform customer experience by focusing on winning conversation behaviours.

Last year, Econiq’s innovative technology was also recognised, winning the 2016 American Chamber of Commerce and Royal Irish Academy US-Ireland Research Innovation Award for an Irish SME.

“We are delighted that our Conversation Hub has been recognised once again as one of the leading innovations in our sector,” said Econiq CEO Jim Callan.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Galway County Council – and its Made in Galway Artisan food producers – have joined forces with NUIG to piggyback on the college’s success in attracting globally-significant conferences by using these events to showcase the best of local produce.

It’s an effort to put Galway’s rich local artisan food sector further into the spotlight on foot of Galway’s European Region of Gastronomy 2018 designation.

The plan is to build a platform at NUIG conferences for small artisan producers to showcase the excellence and distinction of their artisan products to an increased international audience.

Recent examples of such international events include the Anatomists on the Edge International Conference whereby delegates tasted and experienced at first hand the excellent range of ingredients available in Galway which were transformed into culinary delights by award winning campus-based chefs and hospitality teams.

Such food innovation along with conference facilities and Galway’s reputation combine to create a wealth of business and education opportunities which deliver strong local economic opportunities.

The European Region of Gastronomy Platform and Award aim to contribute to better quality of life in European regions, by highlighting distinctive food cultures, educating for better health and sustainability and stimulating gastronomic innovation.

The first region in Ireland to receive European Region of Gastronomy 2018, Galway is now presented with an excellent opportunity to build on the strong reputation and the excellent name it has in terms of a tourist destination, by building its profile further nationally and very importantly internationally.

“NUI Galway are delighted to be working with Galway County Council and Made in Galway to promote the European Region of Gastronomy 2018 designation,” said Ann Duggan, Manager of Commercial Services at NUI Galway.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Galway’s marketing stars gathered recently in the Town Hall theatre to celebrate the OMiG 2017 Digital Marketing awards.  Host Robin Chedgney awarded winners in eight categories, newly redesigned to accommodate teams of greater and less than ten employees.

Maricka Burke Keogh, OMiG Founder and Head of Digital Marketing at Altocloud was impressed by the quality of the submitted campaigns.

“This is the fourth year of the OMiG awards and every year we witness continuous improvement in the standards and level of competition.  Our entrants find the awards an ideal time to audit their digital marketing efforts and focus on where to improve.  Congratulations to all our outstanding nominees and winners, their work is so inspiring to OMiG and throughout Galway”.

Pictured above is Niamh Burke of Niamh Burke Nutrition, a winner in the People’s Choice category.  She stated “I have been on cloud 9 all weekend, the support that I have gotten has been absolutely phenomenal and I just want to say thank you to everyone who voted for me”.

The winners were selected by an external panel of expert judges and here is the full list:

BEST STUDENT DIGITAL MARKETING PROJECT – DASH, (Driving All Students Home), created by NUI Galway final student Richie Commins.

BEST DIGITAL MARKETING (≤ 10 employees) Clean Cut Meals, the first meal prep company in the West of Ireland.

BEST DIGITAL MARKETING (> 10 employees) KAI Restaurant, owned by David and Jessica Murphy.

BEST WEBSITE (≤ 10 employees) Baboró International Children’s Festival, whose mission is to inspire children to engage with the world through their experience of the creative arts.

BEST WEBSITE (> 10 employees) Evergreen Health Food is Ireland’s leading online health and food store.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE (≤10 employees) Niamh Burke Nutrition, Niamh is a Dietary Coach who provides nutritional advice.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE (>10 employees) An Pucán, Galway’s bar and restaurant serves the finest food and drink, all set to the backdrop of live music sessions.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION (BEST DIGITAL) Floralesque Blog provides a whimsical view into the enchanting world of fashion and beauty.

The awards are held in partnership with Galway’s Local Enterprise Office, the Connacht Tribune Group, Bentley Productions, Cantec, IE Domain Registry and this year OMiG were proud to have AIB as the main events sponsors.