Digital awards scheme portal opens in Waterford

Local Enterprise Office Waterford in conjunction with Waterford City & County Council has launched the 2025 Digital Awards with an online portal now open for entries.

The awards are aimed at recognising and rewarding SMEs (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises) from County Waterford who have excelled in the development of their ecommerce and digital platforms as part of their product offering. The awards are open to all businesses with fewer than 50 full time employees based in County Waterford.

A spokesperson for LEOW commented on the scheme to Waterford News & Star: "They highlight businesses that have successfully integrated digital tools and strategies to drive success. The categories celebrate businesses of all industries that have demonstrated excellence in digital adoption, creative problem-solving, and customer engagement."

The award categories for 2025 have been amended to reflect an ever-changing digital landscape and include: Best Digital Transformation – Recognising businesses that have significantly improved efficiency, productivity, or customer experience through digital innovation; Best E-Commerce Business – Rewarding businesses that excel in online retail, showcasing seamless shopping experiences and strong digital sales strategies; Best Use of Social Media – Celebrating businesses that engage their audience, grow their brand, and drive success through creative and strategic social media marketing; Best Digital Marketing Campaign – Honouring innovative and effective digital marketing strategies that have successfully reached and converted customers and Best SEO Strategy – Showcasing businesses that have mastered search engine optimization to increase visibility and attract customers online. There will also be an overall winner.

"The awards aim to recognise and celebrate local businesses that have embraced digital innovation to enhance their operations, customer experience, and overall success," said the spokesperson.

"These awards showcase how small businesses can leverage technology to stay competitive, grow, and serve their communities more effectively," he added. Each category will have up to four shortlisted entrants who will be selected after an evaluation of their website/social media activity by independent expert judges. The winner of each category will receive €1,000 towards technical advice, photography, videography and marketing and the overall winner will receive €2,500 in cash.

Gareth Evans, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Waterford spoke at the launch of the awards and said: "These awards are particularly apt this year as they come following the launch of our new online digital supports for small and medium sized enterprises."

"Digital for Business is an initiative from the Local Enterprise Office designed to give its clients a digital edge," he said.

"The LEO’s expert digital consultants will assist these clients through analysis of gaps, exploration of opportunities and guidance in implementation of new digital solutions," he added.

Encouraging businesses to enter he said they can do so by completing an online application form, sharing their digital success story, and providing supporting materials to demonstrate their achievements.

The entry portal is now open and will remain so until April 27. Shortlisted finalists will receive two free tickets to the Waterford Digital Awards which will be held in Dooley's Hotel on June 6. For further information go online to https://bit.ly/DigitalAwards2025 contact LEO Waterford at 051 849905, or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie 

 Photos by John Birmingham:

Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Jason Murphy & Gareth Evans Head of Enterprise at LEO Waterford.