#IMAGEInspires: Highlights From The 2017 Businesswoman Of The Year Awards!

We still can’t believe another year is done. After months of planning and preparation, over 800 guests donned their finest gowns (sprucing up rather well we must say!) to join us in celebrating the 2017  IMAGE Businesswoman of the Year Awards at the Clayton Hotel Dublin, Burlington Road on Monday night. In what is quite a milestone, this was our 11th year hosting the awards gala which honoured the incredible businesswoman of Ireland and their fantastic accomplishments thus far. We popped bottles of champagne on arrival (generously given from Marks and Spencer) and sipped on two stunning (and incredibly delicious) cocktails provided by Diageo. Attendees could choose between Tanqueray TENGin, the No. TEN Empower served with elderflower tonic, rosebud and pink peppercorns or their Ketel One ICONIC cocktail with pink grapefruit soda. In between the networking and carefully orchestrated selfies (using the Selfie Sticks provided by Independent.ie) – imperative to get the amazing backdrops designed by Frog Prince Events and gorgeous balloon backdrops from Balloon HQ. And who could forget the amazing 360 Camera by Connector – we could have stayed on the thing for hours! At dinner, we raised our glasses of Marks & Spencer wine all excited attendees tried on their specially designed Esin bracelet from Jo Harpur Jewellery. Each of the winners then gracefully took to the stage to accept their awards, hosted by Editor-in-Chief Melanie Morris and MC’d by Dearbhail McDonald, group business editor, Independent News and Media. The evening was generously sponsored by Samsung, Grant Thornton, Kuehne + Nagel, No7 and The Loop, and supported by Newstalk, Irish Independent, Enterprise Ireland and Marks & Spencer.

ICYMI: Businesswoman Of The Year Awards 2017: The Winners!

#BWOTY17 trended all night, and thanks to selfie sticks provided by the Irish Independent, the enthusiastic tweeting, snapping and Instagrams kept on coming. Here are some social media highlights from the empowering night:

Here’s a preview of our stunning table displays at tonight’s #BWOTY17 awards by @frogprinceevents . We have a gorgeous selection of wines on each table courtesy of @mandsireland , a specially designed esin bracelet by @joharpurjewellery for each guest , a voucher for free lippy at our @no7roi top-up station plus a few more surprises when you get here!! • • #ImageMagazine #ImagePublications #BWOTY2017 #BWOTY #Motivation #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEmpowerment #BusinessForWomen #RealWomen #WomanPower #GirlPower #CreateYourFuture #FemaleFocused #Fashion #Bwoty17

A post shared by IMAGE (@image.ie) on Nov 20, 2017 at 10:53am PST

Birds of a feather come together for one night only @image.ie #bwoty2017 @thedublinmakeupacademy @beauty_bootcamp @kathrynthomasofficial #businesswoman #irishwomen #imageevents #dublin #girlsnightout

A post shared by Publicity loft (@thepublicityloft) on Nov 20, 2017 at 12:22pm PST

These Women are the business! ? #truespirit #bwoty #bwoty2017 #tanqueray #tanquerayten #truespirit @tanqueraygin #imagemagazine #image #cocktails #gin

A post shared by The Gin guy (@ginguyireland) on Nov 20, 2017 at 12:53pm PST

A sneak peek at some of our gorgeous #BWOTY17 set up… ???? • • #ImageMagazine #IMAGEInspires #ImagePublications #BWOTY2017 #BWOTY #Motivation #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEmpowerment #BusinessForWomen #RealWomen #WomanPower #GirlPower #CreateYourFuture #FemaleFocused #Fashion #Boty17

A post shared by IMAGE (@image.ie) on Nov 20, 2017 at 4:10am PST

Let’s hear it for the sisterhood! Thank you so very much @joharpurjewellery for gifting everyone at @image.ie #bwoty17 with this beautiful bracelet… our ivery own ID tag of success, of being brace, of working to rise together. We all instantly donned the beautiful piece which will become the sign for women of endeavour (and appreciation of lovely things!) #joharpurjewellery #bracelet #success #driveambition #accessories

A post shared by Melanie Morris (@melaniemorris) on Nov 20, 2017 at 11:59pm PST

With the winner of Management Professor of the Year at the image magazine businesswoman of the year awards 2017 @image_magazine @cbre @claytonburlingtonroad #imagemagazinebusiness #imagemagazine #businesswomanoftheyear2017 #claytonhotelburlingtonroad #mariehunt #cbreireland #bwoty17

A post shared by Maggie Gleeson (@maggiegleeson) on Nov 20, 2017 at 11:31pm PST

We found these mega babes @aideenkate , @louisecooney_ & @niamhcullenx on their way into our banquet room at the @claytonburlingtonroad ?Big thanks to all of our sponsors including @theloopdutyfree , @mandsireland , @grantthorntonie , @no7roi , @samsungireland & @kuehnenagel for making tonight possible! • • #ImageMagazine #ImagePublications #BWOTY2017 #BWOTY #Motivation #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEmpowerment #BusinessForWomen #RealWomen #WomanPower #GirlPower #CreateYourFuture #FemaleFocused #Fashion #Bwoty17

A post shared by IMAGE (@image.ie) on Nov 20, 2017 at 12:23pm PST

Having the best time at #BWOTY17 with @stylebylaura ??? #ootn

A post shared by Paula Sheary (@paulasheary) on Nov 20, 2017 at 1:09pm PST

Tonight’s backdrop for the 2017 IMAGE Business Women of the Year Awards! All lighting and AV was supplied by AV Com. #bwoty17 #imageinspires @image.ie

A post shared by Movement Events (@movement_events) on Nov 20, 2017 at 1:59pm PST

Such an amazing feeling to stand beside 3 other women from your school, generations between us, but all of us making our own mark in our own businesses and industries ?????? @catherinebuggy @vintagefindsyou @cassiestokes ?? #BWOTY17

A post shared by J A N E A S P L E ? (@jane_asple) on Nov 20, 2017 at 2:36pm PST

The gorgeous @kathrynthomasofficial getting a glow touch up from our @no7roi counter? Everyone of our guests will find a voucher on their seats for a complimentary lippy from @no7roi ???? • • #ImageMagazine #ImagePublications #BWOTY2017 #BWOTY #Motivation #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEmpowerment #BusinessForWomen #RealWomen #WomanPower #GirlPower #CreateYourFuture #FemaleFocused #Fashion #Bwoty17

A post shared by IMAGE (@image.ie) on Nov 20, 2017 at 11:55am PST

Can we all just take a little moment ?? CONGRATULATIONS ? @pipsy_pie ?? we are all so PROUD of you #BWOTY17 #bossbabe #aboutlastnight you’ve only just begun ……….. ????Xx

A post shared by Laura ?? (@laurawarrentreacy) on Nov 21, 2017 at 5:59am PST

Great night ? congrats to Marie hunt, CBRE Ireland #bwoty17 bwoty17 @image_magazine @image.ie #businesswomanoftheyear2017 #dublin #womeninbusiness

A post shared by Maggie Gleeson (@maggiegleeson) on Nov 21, 2017 at 10:29am PST

All about to kick off @image.ie #BWOTY17 Awards in the @claytonburlingtonroad #imagebwoty17 @tanqueraygin … ???????

A post shared by Newstalk 106-108FM (@newstalkfm) on Nov 20, 2017 at 10:54am PST

#Repost @newstalkfm (@get_repost) ??? #Repost @indulgeme.ie ??? Congratulations to Drs Lisa & Vanessa Creaven founders of @spotlight_whitening who won Start-up of the Year plus a €10,000 media package from @newstalkfm at the @image.ie #BWOTY17 ?after only 18 months in business they have created a range of six products and are exporting globally… and just look at those smiles ??#spotlightmoment #IndulgeMe #womeninbusiness

A post shared by Spotlight Whitening (@spotlight_whitening) on Nov 21, 2017 at 11:58am PST

Close up of our Young and fun “Metal Goddess collection”. This piece was a bespoke piece commissioned to go with Margaret Molloys “Jennifer Rothwell” Dress for Image Business Women of the year 2017 awards which Margaret took home the prize. #crownedbysuzanneryan #suzanneryanmillinery #wearingirish #irishdesigner #BWOTY17 #cifdfashionsummit #cifd #MARGARETMOLLOY #coutureheadwear #crowns #irishracingstyle #ladiesday #bestdressed #irishfashion

A post shared by Suzanne Ryan Millinery (@suzanneryanmillinery) on Nov 21, 2017 at 9:03am PST

Last night outfit ( the pants are flares – use your imagination ?& were actually really long which is hard to find if you’re tall) the top and pants are both Zara I got them yesterday (I always leave these things last minute ?)#bwoty17 thanks for bringing me @ceiralambert ??? #ootd

A post shared by Rozanna Purcell (@rozannapurcell) on Nov 21, 2017 at 9:38am PST

Great to catch up with these beauts last night ? @m.rbeauty @james_patrice @louisecooney_ #bwoty17

A post shared by Jane Swarbrigg (@janeinglot) on Nov 21, 2017 at 3:31am PST

#bwoty17 #imageawards #imageawards2017 #glamsquad #mondays

A post shared by Alison Moore (@alimurph5) on Nov 20, 2017 at 5:15pm PST

Very exciting! Stage set for a great night at the @image_magazine Businesswoman of The Year awards #BWOTY17 @BurlingtonRd @ClaytonHotels

A post shared by Clayton Hotel Burlington Road (@claytonburlingtonroad) on Nov 20, 2017 at 3:32pm PST

Thought it best to get in early with the respectable snap ?
Looks set to be a fantastic night @image_magazine awards #BWOTY17 pic.twitter.com/YMIPZx32Hs

— Audrey (@Audge3000) November 20, 2017

What a success @pipsypie. Told she couldn’t be a model anymore because she was pregnant. Now #BWOTY17 Young Businesswoman of the Year pic.twitter.com/9YnN4LCKXd

— Colette Sexton (@colette_sexton) November 20, 2017

We are so incredibly proud of our Niamh & Aoife for being named Entrepreneur of the Year at @image_magazine #BWOTY17 Awards tonight!! Passion, creativity and determination – plus a sprinkle of fairy magic – and the sky’s the limit! ??

— The Irish Fairy Door Co. (@IrishFairyDoor) November 20, 2017

Huge love and luck to @PaulaMcLoughlin @SusieQmusic the integral driving force behind @lustforlife who are up for social enterprise #BWOTY17 tonight. Literally can’t explain how big their hearts are. pic.twitter.com/WaPrmgfBqa

— Niall Breslin (@nbrez) November 20, 2017

The moment @NiamhSB and Aoife Lawler of @IrishFairyDoor realised they won Entrepreneur of the Year at #BWOTY17 pic.twitter.com/g5fmgUU6c7

— Colette Sexton (@colette_sexton) November 20, 2017

“The power of a story to change the world” – hats off to @DearbhailDibs speaking at @image_magazine #BWOTY17 pic.twitter.com/AspuqHrep0

— Peppe Santoro (@VentureLawIE) November 20, 2017

Super impressed with Geraldine Swarbrigg. A really normal, relatable and inspirational woman in retail #BWOTY17 a testament to common sense, gut instinct, sound advice and personal belief.

— Orlamo (@Orlamo) November 20, 2017

A huge congratulations to Geraldine Swarbrigg on winning @image_magazine Lifetime Achievement Award 2017 ??The powerhouse behind @inglotireland is an inspiration for every woman in business #BWOTY17 pic.twitter.com/dIAtPw5Waf

— IndulgeMe.ie (@IndulgeMe_ie) November 20, 2017

The party is just about to get started @image_magazine #BWOTY17 ? here’s to a fantastic night celebrating extraordinary women ???? pic.twitter.com/YoiF8VzMQg

— Erica Bracken (@erica_bracken) November 20, 2017

#BWOTY17 equal opportunity table! pic.twitter.com/lgLftaFTZJ

— Nollaig Cassidy (@NollaigCassidy) November 20, 2017

Our fabulous CEO @eclodagh and Editor in Chief and hostess @melaniemorris looking so glamorous! #BWOTY17 pic.twitter.com/R3XPtbI2om

— IMAGE Magazine (@image_magazine) November 20, 2017