TV APPEARANCE: Owner of 'Box of Smiles' Oliver Kirwan with Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Show last week.

Elite Event Management, the team behind Ring of Beara Cycle Kenmare, Quest Killarney, Quest Kenmare and Run Killarney were the recipient of Vodafone’s bursary worth €15,000 as part of The Late Late Show’s showcase of Irish businesses which aired last week.

The company were recognised for 'Box of Smiles' an innovative new product which they launched after their sports event management business ceased overnight in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Box of Smiles are gift boxes full of produce and crafts sourced around Ireland. Each box is filled with high quality products, sourced from local small businesses including coffee roasters and bakers, creatives and artisans, tea connoisseurs and candle creators. Box of Smiles is also a wonderful way for people to keep in touch with Irish creativity in their locality, gift a loved one, or express gratitude to an employee.

Owner Oliver Kirwan expressed his delight and appreciation upon receiving the award.

“It’s been a tough few months for our business like so many others. We are usually organising sports events across the country but due to COVID-19 restrictions we have been unable to do so. We were on course to run 14 sell out events this year but only managed to complete one and with no roadmap in sight to get back on track we had to get the thinking caps on and try and come up with a project that would help us sustain our business but also help other small businesses that were feeling the effects of the downturn. Box of Smiles has allowed us to do that. The feedback and support from all across the country has been fantastic and we are so grateful to The Late Late Show for inviting us to showcase our projects and also to Vodafone Ireland for their generous bursary which will go a long way in helping us move forward into 2021.”

Elite Event Management are also launching a crowd funding campaign this week for an exciting new sports and fitness tracking App which will revolutionise outdoor sports participation in a new era. To find out more about this crowdfunding campaign please visit www.sparkcrowdfunding.com.​

For further information visit www.boxofsmiles.ie or email annette@eliteevents.ie or call 064 6635512.