Export Industry Awards Programme
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The Irish Exporters Association’s Export Industry Awards, now in its 24th year, is the premier event for recognising the achievements of Irish Exporters and has been growing in strength and recognition each year. It is important that we highlight the exporting companies and service providers who have excelled across the industry despite some difficult trading conditions and that we highlight these companies who have been fundamental to Ireland’s success.
Exporting businesses have been an essential part of Ireland’s global success despite incredibly difficult international trade conditions over recent years. The Export Industry Awards allows us to celebrate those Irish businesses that continue to succeed in an increasingly uncertain world and who have been fundamental to Ireland’s success.
Applications for the 2026 Export Industry Awards will open in March. We encourage organisations across the export sector to prepare to showcase their achievements and be part of next year’s celebration of excellence.
Applications for the IEA Export Industry Awards 2026 are now OPEN!
We’re proud to say we’re Ireland’s premier export focused awards programme. Our judging panel is 100% independent and the application process is completely free of charge.
Join over 500 industry professionals in celebrating remarkable achievements at this prestigious annual black-tie event on Friday, 20th November at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.
See what the 2025 Awards were all about — click here to watch the video.
Companies can enter across 13 different categories. The overall Exporter of the Year 2026 will be selected from the winners of the 13 individual categories.
Categories for 2026:
| Who can enter? | ||
| Categories | Exporters | Service Providers |
| Export Compliance Leadership Award (NEW) | Yes | No |
| Exporter-Logistics Partnership of the Year (NEW) | Yes | Yes |
| SME Exporter of the Year (NEW) | Yes | No |
| Export Innovation of the Year | Yes | No |
| All-Island Trade Award | Yes | No |
| Seafood Business of the Year | Yes | No |
| Sustainable Food & Drink Exporter of the Year | Yes | No |
| Life Sciences Exporter of the Year | Yes | No |
| High Potential Exporter Award | Yes | No |
| Private Irish Business of the Year | Yes | Yes |
| Logistics & Supply Chain Company of the Year | No | Yes |
| Services Exporter of the Year | Yes | No |
| Manufacturing Exporter of the Year | Yes | No |
Click here to find out more about how to apply.
For more information about the Awards please contact [email protected]
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BookTestimonials
“HSBC Ireland was delighted to be the inaugural recipient of the Financial Services Partner of the Year Award for 2019. We have received significant recognition, both internally and externally, as a result of winning this award. The completion of the application form and interview process was a good investment of time and I am sure, like many other companies, allowed time to reflect on their respective strategies which is not often the case. This culminated in a fantastic awards ceremony held in the Convention Centre attended by many industry leaders and enjoyed by clients and employees alike. It was truly a night to celebrate successful Irish exporters from many diverse industries and great to share the stage with the other category winners”
Andrew Bowen, Director | Mid-Market Enterprises | CMB Ireland, HSBC Ireland
2019 Financial Services Partner of the Year
SF Engineering has been a member of the Irish Exporters Association for many years. During November last SF attended the prestigious Export Awards Ceremony in Dublin. The event reflected the professionalism and organization of the IEA. Each year the SF team looks forward to attending this event as it boasts a fantastic networking opportunity, a chance to celebrate the success of export with other companies and most of all it’s a very enjoyable evening. The event also gives a great opportunity for SF to learn about the success of many other Irish based companies. The IEA works hard to ensure that the award process is engaging and also worthwhile for all that partake. In 2019 SF was awarded Medium Sized Exporter of the Year – this was a great achievement and an honor for the SF team.”
Seamus Farrell, Managing Director, SF Engineering
2019 Medium Size Exporter of the Year
“Portwest were honoured to win Overall Exporter of the Year 2018 & Private Business of the Year 2019. To be recognised alongside other successful Irish Exporters has been a positive experience for the entire team at Portwest. Getting to meet and share experiences with other companies at the awards night was insightful and beneficial and we would highly recommend for other Irish exporting companies to consider taking part. The award increases our credibility with export customers and is a good benchmark for potential employees.”
Cathal J. Hughes, Director, Portwest
2018 Overall Exporter of the Year
“Winning the High Potential Exporter of the Year award was a significant milestone for our business. It provided strong external validation of our journey to date alongside recognising the team that has worked so hard to get us to this point. I would strongly recommend any eligible company to enter the award.”
Stephen Nolan, Chief Operating Officer, Nutritics
2018 High Potential Exporter of the year
“Wisetek’s experience of the IEA awards based on our involvement in 2018 is wholly positive. It was great to be acknowledged as the Services Exporter of the Year. The application process was straightforward and we found that the judges were keen to properly understand the business strategy and operations of the companies nominated. Winning a credible award it a good thing and we regard it as a great endorsement of the quality of our people, technology and service.”
Sean Sheehan, CEO, Wisetek.
2018 Services Exporter of the Year
“Just a quick note to thank you and the rest of the team at the Irish Exporters Association for the recent Master Class at Trinity College Dublin, it was both very informative and very engaging. Each year you seem to surpass expectation with your choice of subjects and presenters. Also have to say that they break out sessions are great fun and a great way to network with people from other companies and fields, again thanks a million and look forward to the next one!”
Mark Tracey, Export Sales Manager, Ace Express Freight
IEA Alumni Masterclass 2018, Ace Express
“The Irish market is a small market, and a strong export growth strategy is integral to the success of the business. This comes at a great time for us, with our greenfield expansion plans over the next three years.”
Tom Keogh, CEO, Keogh’s Crisps.