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 We do not publish the names of companies, organisations or individuals that have not been shortlisted for an Award, nor will we reproduce any information from your entry unless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

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).

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
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
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
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
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
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
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.