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Judging Panel

An independent panel of recognised and expert judges, representing the event industry, will determine the winners of the Event Industry Awards.

Our focus is to deliver a balanced judging assessment from industry leaders who will bring their extensive knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise to the judging process ensuring that the winning entries are truly outstanding and worthy of receiving an Event Industry Award.

The panel is carefully selected to ensure the Awards' judging process is fair and objective. The judges are bound by a strict confidentiality agreement and are required to declare any conflict of interest in entries over which they deliberate, in which case that entry will be reallocated. The integrity of this process lies at the very heart of all that we do.

We recognise and respect the sensitive nature of the information submitted in the entries. Submissions are not disclosed or discussed outside the judging process. We do not publish the names of companies, organisations or individuals that have not been shortlisted for an Award, nor will we reproduce any information from your entry unless prior permission is given.

A comprehensive judging process has been put together to decide the worthy winners of the Event Industry Awards.

2021 Judging Panel

Karen Brosnahan

Karen Brosnahan

General Manager, Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau

A graduate of the Kemmy School of Business in University of Limerick, Karen has an extensive background in business and sports tourism with over 25 years’ experience in the Tourism industry in Ireland and internationally.

John Carty

John Carty

Lecturer, GMIT

A native of Co. Roscommon, John is a lecturer and researcher in the Galway International Hotel School, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT).

Ruth Craggs

Ruth Craggs

Lecturer, School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, TU Dublin

Dr. Ruth Craggs is a lecturer and researcher in the School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, Technological University Dublin.

Lorraine Dunne

Lorraine Dunne

Lecturer & Programme Director, Dundalk Institute of Technology

Lorraine Dunne has been employed at Dundalk Institute since 2001 and is a lecturer in Event & Hospitality Management. She has an honours degree in Hospitality Management from The University of Ulster, Jordanstown and an MBA from Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT).

Rose Finn

Rose Finn

General Manager, Galway Convention Bureau

Rose Finn is the General Manager of Galway Convention Bureau her role involves attracting international business events to Galway.

Maria Roddy Freyne

Maria Roddy Freyne

Lecturer in Event & Hospitality Management, Dundalk Institute of Technology

Maria Roddy Freyne is an Event Management Lecturer in Dundalk Institiute of Technology. She has a Degree in Hospitality Management, a Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a Masters in Learning & Teaching and is a member of EMEI (Event Management Educators Ireland).

Becky Hargrove

Becky Hargrove

General Manager, Kerry Convention Bureau

Becky Hargrove CIS DES is an award winning business events and destination marketing strategist. Becky has extensive experience working with event planners as they source MICE destinations, providing guidance with venues, hotels & activities selection alongside helping develop creative & meaningful programme itineraries.

Dr. Kelly Maguire

Dr. Kelly Maguire

Lecturer & Researcher, Dept. of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, TUS: Midlands Midwest, Athlone Campus

Dr. Kelly Maguire is a Lecturer in Tourism Management at Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Athlone Campus. She has previously held the position of Senior Lecturer in International Tourism Management and Events Management at Liverpool John Moore’s University.

Niamh McCrystal

Niamh McCrystal

Event Sales & Marketing Manager, Seasons at Guinness Storehouse

Niamh is the Event Sales & Marketing Manager for Seasons at Guinness Storehouse. With over 16 years events experience, she has worked in many areas of the industry. In 2017, Niamh was awarded EIA best inhouse person of the year.

Dr. Emmet McLoughlin

Dr. Emmet McLoughlin

Programme Director for Tourism Studies, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK

Dr Emmet McLoughlin is the Programme Director for Tourism Studies at Cardiff Metropolitan University. His research interests include data driven approaches to sustainability, indicators for sustainable development and sustainable planning for tourism and events.

Rachelle O'Brien

Rachelle O'Brien

Assistant Lecturer, School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, TU Dublin

Rachelle O’Brien is a lecturer in the School of Hospitality Management and Tourism at TU Dublin. She lectures across a number of tourism and event management modules including Conference Management, Event Industry Studies, Event Operations and Business Tourism.

Mary O’Rawe

Mary O’Rawe

Lecturer in Management and Innovation, School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, TU Dublin

Mary O'Rawe lectures in Innovation Management at the School of Hospitality Management and Tourism at TU Dublin and is a tutor and subject specialist in the Management area on the B.Sc. Event Management programme.

Evelyn O’Sullivan

Evelyn O’Sullivan

Manager, Cork Convention Bureau

Evelyn O’Sullivan’s experience in the conference, meetings and incentive industry spans from 1999 to present. Her career has progressed in a very fluid way from Operations, Project Management and Client Relations to Destination Marketing.

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