clonmel chamber annual report 2013 2014

ANNUAL REPORT 2013/2014

Contents

Message from the President ��3

The National Enterprise Conference 2014 ��4

Policy Matters ��6

Clonmel Chamber Events ��8

The Gathering of Chambers �� 11

Clonmel Retail Forum �� 12

Cahir Chamber �� 13

Member Expo’s �� 14

County Tipperary Skillnet �� 16

Social Media Skillnet �� 17

Christmas in Clonmel �� 18

Who We Are �� 20

Join the Chamber �� 21

The Year in Numbers �� 22


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The Chamber movement prides itself in being ‘in business for business’ and here in Clonmel, we are proud to have what is widely regarded as one of the most successful and dynamic business lobby groups in the country.

During the past year, our members have continued with their sterling efforts to surmount the numerous challenges presented by the new economic reality and Clonmel Chamber is proud to be at the heart of the town’s revival.

With a clear and determined vision, an open mind, and a willingness to change, those who have suffered immense personal and financial hardship over the past six years are fighting back, stronger and more resilient than ever.

Slowly but surely lives and businesses throughout the county are being re-built. Recruitment has resumed and, in many cases, operations are expanding through organic growth, M&A activity, and entry to new markets.

Year-round employment figures for the region have been increasing steadily; and the Chamber’s busy schedule of networking events has helped to develop fresh synergies between member companies, creating exciting new business opportunities for both start-ups and more established names.

In short, by working together with a clear sense of purpose and a willingness to change, our members and the wider business community of Clonmel are delivering a new era of prosperity for the region.

Through innovation, hard work and a determination to succeed that is evident across the country, the Chamber’s 650,000-strong network of dedicated members are unlocking the door to an economic renaissance that is guiding the long-term recovery of Ireland Inc.

At a local level, Clonmel Chamber has enjoyed considerable success over the past year and continues to go from strength-to-strength. Membership has increased significantly over the past 12 months and our regular networking events and educational seminars are well-attended by entrepreneurs and innovators from across the business community.

The recently-formed Cahir Chamber, supported by Clonmel Chamber, is proving to be a strong and influential business lobby group for that town and the future for both organisations looks bright.

As an affiliate of Chambers Ireland, Clonmel Chamber continues to be a strong advocate for local businesses and each year, the views and opinions of our members form a core element of the influential pre-Budget submission to Government.

By listening to its membership and speaking with a unified voice, the Chamber movement not only raises awareness of the need to deliver realistic and workable fiscal measures at the highest levels but ensures that the concerns of local business people remain at the heart of the national agenda.

Clonmel Chamber prides itself on being ‘in business, for business.’ However, as members of Ireland’s largest business representative body, we also know the importance of maintaining a strong and cohesive social spirit that will complement the efforts of the wider business community.

To this end, the Chamber – in conjunction with local authorities and other representative bodies - continues to be actively involved in a wide array of community-based initiatives, such as the perennially-popular St. Patrick’s Day Parade; and the magical displays that make Christmas in Clonmel such a spectacular success.

It is clear that the vibrancy and dynamism of Clonmel Chamber and its members has brought a new spirit of energy and optimism to the commercial and social fabric of our community during what has been an extremely challenging period and we would strongly encourage business owners who may not yet be aware of the numerous game-changing benefits of Chamber membership to come on board and reap the numerous rewards.

As my tenure as President comes to an end, I am confident that Clonmel Chamber will remain a strong voice for business locally, regionally and nationally and would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support for the organisation.

Wishing each of you continuing success in your future endeavours.

Valerie O’Reilly.President, Clonmel Chamber

President’s Address


Six speakers gave delegates at the 2014 National Enterprise Conference ‘food for thought’ with advice on how they could develop their businesses and their personal capabilities. The event, held in the Clonmel Park Hotel, was again sponsored by Abbott Vascular and County Tipperary Skillnet.

Des McCabe started proceedings with a brief overview of his ‘Work it Out’ concept. The programme aims to empower business owners and those starting new businesses to look at all of the skills and experience that they have amassed in their life rather than the most recent. Feedback from Des’ presentation was very positive with one delegate stating that the presentation had given her a real sense of her true capabilities for the first time ever. Olwen Dawe, well known broadcaster and business consultant spoke about communicating your company values and story. The concept of values was also discussed later in the morning by renowned change management consultant Alan O’Neill. Alan also spoke of his experience in working with Selfridges and other companies. He detailed the need for companies to realise that change is not an event it is a culture for companies.

The National Enterprise

Conference

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The focus of the conference was change and no sector has witnessed more change in recent years than the banking sector. Ken Burke, Head of Business Banking from AIB spoke about the impact of change on the banking sector. On a positive note, he highlighted the new ways that AIB were engaging with customers and how they were funding viable businesses.

Clonmel native Patrick Joy has enjoyed considerable success in his business. In 2013 he won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for his work with Suretank. The company was established in the mid 1990’s and in its first year generated revenue equivalent to €1 million. Speaking at the conference Patrick said that the most recent financial returns from Suretank showed sales of €71 million in 2013. He spoke about his early years in business, with his family business in O’Connell Street and with MF Kent.

Liam Sheedy, Head of Sales & Revenue with Bank of Ireland and former Tipperary Senior Hurling Manager closed the conference with an inspiring talk on what it takes to be a winner in sport and in business. He spoke openly about the challenges that he faced as a manager and how he got the best out of the Tipperary team in order to win the 2010 All Ireland Senior Hurling Final. Speaking afterwards in the questions and answers session Liam detailed how he broke his work and sporting management commitments in to 90 day pieces and that he treated the business year in the exact same manner as the sporting year in order to deliver success.

Feedback from delegates was hugely positive on the day. Yet

again, the Chamber brought top quality speakers together to provide insight, information

and ideas to members and other attendees seeking to make a difference in their business.


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Clonmel Chamber is the voice of business in County Tipperary. In the past twelve months members of our board and staff have met with leading decision makers to highlight issues of concern to members of Clonmel Chamber.

We have been active locally throughout the year actively encouraging both Councils to develop the vacant Kickham Barracks site. Plans are now in place to develop the site to host a number of public bodies including the Clonmel campus of the Limerick School of Art & Design and the Educational Training Board.

The majority of the proposals in our 2012 parking submission have now been adopted by Clonmel Borough Council in their Clonmel Parking Strategy 2013 – 2020. Clonmel Chamber interacted with Councillors and executives at Clonmel Borough Council in the period leading up to the adoption of the parking strategy to ensure that the needs of the business community were being met while also being mindful of the needs of consumers.

In April 2014 we launched our ‘Local Election Manifesto 2014’. The document outlines a set of practical proposals that we would like to see enacted by Councillors in the newly created Tipperary County Council.

The key points from Clonmel Chamber’s Local Election Manifesto 2014 are:

1. Support the local economy2. Support procurement opportunities for Co. Tipperary

businesses

3. Ensure local government reforms results in benefits for local businesses

4. Guarantee that the rollout of Irish Water will not lead to increased charges for businesses.

5. Make infrastructure and planning contribute to growth

Nationally, as a member of Chambers Ireland, we have lobbied on the issue of procurement opportunities for SME’s. This issue has been on Clonmel Chamber’s radar for some time. In 2012 the issue was raised with Minister Brian Hayes at our ‘Questions & Answers’ event. All too often pre-qualification requirements are excessive and effectively exclude SME’s from the tendering process. The Chamber network has advocated moving away from the MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) principle to one that is mindful of other elements such as the potential for long term benefit to the economy, possible job creation and the need to support indigenous businesses.

Chamber representatives also met with the Taoiseach and Tánáiste during the course of the past twelve months to highlight issues of concern to member companies.

As the voice of business in the county we are now working to establish relations with the new role holders in key positions in Tipperary County Council. The changes in local government and the enlargement of the Clonmel electoral area will see us lobbying the new County Councillors and other decision makers to ensure that our members’ views are represented and acted upon. Staff at the Chamber are always available to meet with members to discuss any issues that they would like us to take up on their behalf.

Policy Matters


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WORKING FOR YOUR

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As ever, the past year has been a busy one for Clonmel Chamber. We hosted over 30 events in the past twelve months ranging from the National Enterprise Conference to ‘meet ups’ for start-up businesses interested in sharing information and learning from each other. All of the events, with the exception of the conference, were free to attend for Chamber members.

In May of 2013 we took to Powerstown Park Racecourse for a sunny evening at the races. Chamber members were entertained in a private lounge with a balcony overlooking the course. There was huge excitement over the course of the evening particularly for one of our attendees from Ryan Motor Power who had a very profitable flutter!

Chamber Week 2013 saw Tommy Murphy and Sean Dunne from RTE’s hit TV show ‘Taking Care of Business’ as guest speakers for a very entertaining event. Tommy and Sean looked at the pitfalls that befell the companies featured in the TV show and highlighted how Chamber members could avoid

making the same mistakes in their businesses. The speakers dealt with the issue of managing relationships with financial institutions and maintaining a degree of separation between personal and business finances.

Perhaps one of the most contentious issues in many years in Munster has been the mooted developments by Eirgrid. We have witnessed protest marches, concerted campaigns and significant media coverage of the plans to erect pylons in Munster and parts of Leinster. We invited Eirgrid Project Manager John Lowry to meet with our members and to present to them on the issue. As expected, this event was a full house and there was a questions and answers session lasting over 90 minutes after the presentation.

Our Budget Breakfast events are always full houses. Year after year the team at O’Gorman, Brannigan, Purtill assemble a comprehensive overview of the budget in a very short space of time. This year, following demand from members, we hosted simultaneous Budget Breakfast events in Clonmel and Cahir. Audrey Crean presented to a packed audience in the Clonmel Park Hotel while Patrick O’Gorman presented at what was the first ever event for our partner Chamber in Cahir.

Chamber Events


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The Chamber Expo events were considerable successes. The initial event saw 41 member businesses taking stands. Over 60 members hosted stands at the second event. You can read more about both events in this report.

Clonmel Chamber has consistently sought to educate and inform members to enable local businesses to be more successful. Our January event ‘Build A Better Business in 2014’ saw Emma Lacy and Brian Cleary presenting on sales strategies for the new year and practical technology tips to save money for member companies. In February we welcomed speakers from nationally known member company Hughes Blake to the Clonmel Park Hotel. Killian Loftus, Neil Hughes and colleagues spoke about issues relating to personal finance for entrepreneurs. As with any of our finance themed events we had an excellent attendance, despite the appalling weather conditions that the entire country was experiencing at the time, and an engaging question and answer session afterwards.

Clonmel Chamber has always been an organisation that has brought people together. In the past twelve months we have connected members of our Chamber with members of both Greater Kitchener and Cambridge Chambers of Commerce from Canada at a unique event that is featured on page 11 of this report. We have also looked closer to home. Our work with our partner Chamber in Cahir saw us host a successful event at Morrison BMW in Cahir in March. ‘Meet the Neighbours’ saw almost 70 business people from Clonmel and Cahir come together to network while surrounded by an array of beautiful BMW’s and Mini’s.

Social media, much like finance, remains a seminar topic that attracts significant numbers to events. The LIT Campus in Clonmel played host to three speakers in April. Justin Kearns, Robert Jones and Edel O’Gorman looked at strategy, data and day to day management of social media across the most popular platforms. These presentations, as with all of the seminar topics covered over the past 12 months, were extremely informative. Members of the Chamber can at any time request a copy of any of the presentations delivered during the year, subject to their availability. To receive a copy of any of the presentations simply contact the Chamber.

The Clonmel Chamber and Bank of Ireland Speed Networking events have become well established in the business calendar over the last 5 years and in the past 12 months our members have attended a number of these at the bank branch in Parnell Street. These breakfast events in May and November each year continue to be popular with members and prospective members. John Cooney and his team have worked with the Chamber over the years to ensure that each attendee makes the most of the event by meeting as many potential clients as possible.

Clonmel Chamber has always sought to host professional and engaging events. In the past twelve months we have given members the opportunity to make new connections locally and internationally. We have informed and educated members on a wide range of topics to help them to be more competitive and profitable. After all, we believe that ‘people do business with people they know’ and Clonmel Chamber is working every day to create and deliver new opportunities for our members.

Chamber Events

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The Gatheringof ChambersClonmel Chamber members met with almost fifty Canadian business owners at an event on September 12th 2013 to explore opportunities for companies in both countries. Members of the Cambridge (Ontario) and Greater Kitchener Chambers were on an eight day trip to Ireland.

During the event at Bru Boru a number of speakers highlighted the benefits of co-operation and the opportunities available in both countries. Clonmel Chamber President Valerie O’Reilly welcomed the guests and spoke of the large Irish community in Kitchener. Brian Butcher, Vice President of Cambridge Chamber thanked Clonmel Chamber members for their very warm welcome and spoke of how he hoped that members of his Chamber would utilise Co. Tipperary as a starting point into the European market. Since the event the Chamber has facilitated introductions for a number of local businesses with potential customers in Ontario.

The event was one part of a Clonmel Chamber initiative to encourage international SME’s to consider Clonmel as a starting point for their business in Europe. As part of the initiative the Chamber staff attended meetings in Dublin with staff from the Ireland Canada Business Association and the Canadian Embassy at the end of September.

Speaking after the event the Chamber President thanked South Tipperary County Council, Kentz, C&C Group, Wm Grants and Robert A. Merry’s for their assistance in staging the event.

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Clonmel Retail Forum

Clonmel Chamber has been an active participant in the Clonmel Retail Forum over the past three years. The forum was established by Clonmel Borough Council in 2011 following the publication of the ‘John Spain Report’ to look at means of increasing footfall in the town for businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors.

In 2013 the Clonmel Retail Forum embarked on a marketing campaign encompassing radio, newspaper and online advertising in Tipperary and surrounding counties. Since Early 2014 a full time Marketing Executive has been based at Clonmel Chamber to work on the Clonmel Retail Forum project. Edel O’Gorman is now working with local retail and hospitality businesses to improve the vibrancy of the town.

The Clonmel Retail Forum has a significant web presence and utilises social media platforms to inform the general public about events in the town and information relating to local businesses. The Clonmel.ie website, developed by Clonmel Chamber member company Systech, is now online and is a valuable resource for people living in the town or visiting Clonmel.

The Clonmel Retail Forum is a multi-agency initiative with input from Clonmel Borough Council, Clonmel Chamber and the Association of Clonmel Traders.

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Cahir Chamber

The past year has witnessed the creation of a new Chamber of Commerce in Cahir.

Impending changes in the structure of local government coupled with the need to have the opinions of Cahir businesses heard led local business people to approach Clonmel Chamber to seek assistance in establishing a partner Chamber.

Cahir Chamber is now established and is working with local businesses to ensure that their opinions are heard by local and national government. A number of Cahir specific issues were raised within the Local Election Manifesto including the need for a new approach to parking within the town. One of the proposals made by the Chamber in Cahir in this respect was to ask Tipperary County Councillors to develop an all day car park in close proximity to the Square in order to alleviate parking problems.

Jason Maher, proprietor of The Gatehouse was selected as the very first Chair of Cahir Chamber. Along with his committee and staff of Clonmel Chamber he is working to develop a vibrant and active Chamber in Cahir.

Cahir Chamber was officially launched at the ‘Meet the Neighbours’ event at Morrison BMW in March 2014. This excellent event saw members of both Clonmel and Cahir Chambers come together to network and develop links.

Cahir Chamber members can avail of all of the benefits of membership that are currently available to members of Clonmel Chamber. Likewise, Clonmel Chamber members will be able to attend any Cahir events at no extra cost. Utilising the back office services of Clonmel Chamber the members in Cahir will be able to call upon a professional team to work with them to develop their businesses and their town.

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The most successful events held by Clonmel Chamber in the past twelve months were the two Member Expo events in August and February. The Clonmel Park Hotel played host to the most recent event with over 60 member businesses exhibiting on the night. Since the event we have met with a large number of members who have told us that they arranged client meetings and won business following their participation in the event.

On the night attendees were greeted at the door by the team from Merry’s Cream Liquers who were providing samples of their most popular products. Peter Cooney and Michael Clarke were busy for the evening talking to attendees about the wide range of products exported by Merry’s from their Cashel Road plant. All of the people manning the stands throughout the evening were kept busy by the 300+ attendees. The Expo also highlighted the diversity of sectors in Chamber membership and on the night we hosted members from the financial services, hospitality, retail, interior design, pet supplies, laboratory supplies, motoring, childcare, consultancy, fitness & leisure sectors and many others.

Our August event at Hotel Minella was an instant success with stand spaces booked out almost a month in advance. Such was the demand for space amongst members that we had to book additional space at the hotel within two days of opening bookings for the Expo. This event, much like the February event, was a hive of activity with deals being done and demonstrations being carried out.

If you missed our Expo’s, but would like to see more about them, please visit our You Tube Channel to watch the brief videos of both events.

Clonmel Chamber Member Expo’s

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County TipperarySkillnetHighlights of 2013

During 2013 County Tipperary Skillnet trained in excess of 800 employees from a membership of over 100 companies in County Tipperary. Through this enterprise led training an additional 80 plus job seekers were in a position to take part in the training on offer for free.

As Clonmel Chamber is the contracting organisation for County Tipperary Skillnet we collaborated on a number of events which encourage networking opportunities, such as the successful members expo, a night at the races in May plus the National conference to name but a few.

Job Seekers Support Programme – FREE Training for Job Seekers

We hosted a Job Seeker Support Programme in 2013 which enabled the suitable trainees to access a 10 week accredited programme in Information Technology for free and this was followed by work placement. A number of the participants have gained full time employment as a result.

Local Business Collaboration

Also last year County Tipperary Skillnet collaborated with 2 local companies who were actively employing with an event called ‘Get Your Foot in the Door.

Intellicom & Acorn Life both presented to a room of over 30 job seekers explaining about their business and the type of skills needed to become employed within each sector.

Certification Training Awards Each year County Tipperary Skillnet organises a presentation ceremony where all the participants who achieved a FETAC qualification are presented with their certificate.

This is a way of recognising the support and commitment given by the member companies and their staff. In December 2013 we hosted a presentation lunch and as you can see from the photo below all were in the Christmas spirit!

Success Having successfully secured funding for 2014 (7th year in a row) County Tipperary Skillnet welcomes any company, small business or self- employed person to contact us with any training requirements that you may have. All you have to do is contact the team below and/or visit our website www.countytipperaryskillnet.com

Jackie Ryan: [email protected] / 052 6191105

Sabrina Guida: [email protected] / 052 6191103


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SKILLNET

Social Media SkillnetAbout us: Social Media Skillnet is a national, enterprise-led, training network committed to the development and delivery of training for business’ at a subsidised rate. The reduced course prices are due to government funding through the Department of Education & Skills. The network itself was formed in July 2011 in response to the huge demand for training in social media, but has since branched out to include other computer based training. Whilst our key focus is on the needs of companies/ businesses, we also offer a limited number of jobseeker places free of charge on training.

Success & Highlights: Social Media Skillnet has had a positive impact on businesses advancing into the technological age, increasing expertise and allowing them to harness the technology that is available to bring their enterprise forward in a rapidly expanding sector.

In 2013, the Network contributed to the training of over 400 employed participants from 170 different member companies and close to 100 unemployed participants; totalling in excess of 1200 training days. In 2014 Social Media Skillnet is already well on the way to exceeding these figures. Some of the successful highlights over the last few months include the following:

• Internet Recruiter Blackbelt: In Feb and April 2014, Social Media Skillnet ran two Blackbelt in Internet

Recruitment courses including one intensive boot-camp. Participants learned how to become more efficient, proactive and effective Recruiters and were provided with the essentials of Internet talent sourcing. These were very popular courses and the Network received positive feedback.

• Social Media Seminar: In April 2014, the Network sponsored a Clonmel Chamber event called ‘Social Media Masterclass’ in LIT Clonmel. This free event highlighted how businesses could generate revenue from their social media activities and introduced free online resources to market their business more effectively.

• Web Design, Digital & Social Media Marketing: In March 2014, the Network ran a Job Seeker Support Programme (JSSP), a 100% government funded initiative aimed at boosting employment opportunities for unemployed participants. At the end of the course the 12 participants completed a work placement to apply their learning. The network will also deliver a Digital Marketing Diploma for Jobseekers in June 2014.

To find out more information or to discuss how Social Media Skillnet can address your training needs, check the website www.socialmediaskillnet.com or contact Maggie or Karen on details below:

Maggie O’ Brien (Network Manager) 052 6191102/086 7776476 or [email protected] Walters (Network Administrator) 052 6126500 [email protected]

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Christmas in Clonmel 2013 was bigger and better than ever.

The December event saw hundreds of children and adults meet

Santa at his grotto at The Main Guard. As usual, this was a free

event with every child receiving a free gift from Santa Claus

and his elves.

Santa made an unusual entrance this year. Forsaking his trusty

reindeers and his love of the local fire engines he decided to

Christmasin Clonmel 2013

walk through town and pop in to see people in the shops in O’Connell Street and Mitchel Street. There were hundreds of people queuing by the time that Santa and the elves arrived at The Main Guard. For the next three hours he met with over 200 children in his grotto while a DJ entertained the waiting crowds.

We also had a chart topping act with us on the day as the TY students from the Presentation Convent Secondary School joined us to perform their tribute to their late teacher Alice Strain. The TY students were at the top of the iTunes Chart in Ireland on the day that they performed for us. The emotional performance of ‘my Hero’ rang out around the town centre and was met with thunderous applause.

As ever, we had a local celebrity on hand to help us switch on the lights. Ireland and Munster legend Denis Leamy was joined by Deputy Mayor Gabrielle Egan and the girls from the Presentation to switch on the Clonmel Christmas lights at 5pm.

The event was organised by Brian Cleary and Emma Lacy for the Clonmel Retail Forum and received funding from Clonmel Borough and South Tipperary County Councils.


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About Clonmel Chamber

Clonmel Chamber was founded in 1925 and over 89 years on, it represents businesses in Clonmel and beyond. It is the largest business services organisation in County Tipperary and represents the interests of the business community while also promoting economic development in the regions with a range of stakeholders and partners.

The range of member companies is diverse, yet all share the same interest – maintaining Clonmel’s position as the leading location to do business in the region.

Who We AreThe Chamber has a full time staff working on behalf of members every day. They are available at all times to answer queries from members and prospective members.

Chamber Council

President Valerie O’Reilly Unicorn PR

Vice President Mark Hanratty Bulmers

Council Members Michael Boyle Clonmel Park Hotel Don Davern New Vision Kevin Finn Abbott Vascular Walter Heneghan Suir Pharma Conor Moroney Moroney’s Footwear Frances O’Hanlon FOH Financial Services Mark Small Mediate Ireland Kieran Dunne MSD Ballydine

Nominations and elections for the council take place at the time of the AGM each year.

Staff

CEO Brian Cleary T: 052 61 91101 E: [email protected] Karen Walters T: 052 6126500Chamber E: [email protected]

Brian Tyrrell T: 052 6126500 E: [email protected]

Edel O’Gorman T: 052 6126500 E: [email protected]

County Jackie Ryan T: 052 61 91105Tipperary E: [email protected]

Skillnet Sabrina Guida T: 052 6191103 E: [email protected]

Social Media Maggie O’Brien T: 052 6191102Skillnet E: [email protected]

Karen Walters T: 052 6126500 E: [email protected]

Contact Details

Clonmel Chamber Tel: 052 61265008 Sarsfield Street Fax: 052 6126378Clonmel E-mail: [email protected]. Tipperary Web: www.clonmelchamber.com

President

Vice-Presidents

Council Members

CEO

Clonmel Chamber

County Tipperary Skillnet

Social Media Skillnet


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Connecting People

Every day Clonmel Chamber helps member companies to connect and develop new business opportunities. Each month (with the exception of July) we host free networking events for members. The aim of these events is to enable members to meet fellow members to explore new opportunities. After all, we have always believed that ‘people do business with people they know’. Our monthly networking events take many forms. Some events have expert speakers presenting on topical issues, other events focus solely on networking and business development.

The Chamber is Your Voice in BusinessClonmel Chamber is the largest business representation group in Co. Tipperary. Our members encompass every industry sector in the county and they employ over 10,000 people on a full time basis. Our board and staff represent the interest of members on a wide array of issues related to the business community. Members of staff liaise with public sector decision makers on a daily basis on a wide range of issues. Each quarter we survey the local business community to ascertain business sentiment and we utilise the results to inform our policy and lobbying work on behalf of member companies. We actively encourage our members to get in touch with us about any issues that they have concerns about.

Keeping You InformedClonmel Chamber is a tremendous information resource for any member company. We source information for members on a wide range of issues every day. The most frequent queries that we deal with relate to sourcing potential suppliers, seeking connections in other parts of the country and overseas, changes in legislation affecting business, developments in Clonmel and more. We actively encourage members to call to our offices in Sarsfield Street, call or email with any queries.

Promoting Your BusinessOur weekly newsletter arrives in over 500 inboxes every Friday afternoon. Now in its fifth year, the newsletter is widely read and referred to by its readers. Clonmel Chamber member companies can submit news stories, editorial, event details or promotions for the newsletter and have them included free of charge.

Aside from the newsletter we offer countless opportunities for members to promote their business. The Member Expo events, behind the scenes tours, the annual diary and many

other platforms help up to tell the wider business community about our members.

Saving Your Business Money

Clonmel Chamber is the only Chamber in Ireland with a comprehensive suite of deals for members. In late 2013 we introduced the Chamber Fuel Card. Member companies and their staff can use the card to save on diesel and unleaded at over 1350 stations throughout the country. Users of the card are able to save an average of 4c to 6c per litre on every purchase. Chamber Fuel Cards are free for members. We have also introduced an exclusive affinity deal with Worldpay for card processing machines to enable our members to avail of half price monthly rental fees and discounted processing charges. We have many other offers available to members. Some of our member only offers are time sensitive and others are available year round. Call us on 052 61 26500 for more details.

Helping You to Develop Your BusinessClonmel Chamber is one of the busiest international trade documentation issuers in the country. Each year we issue and authorise certificates of origin and other export documentation for businesses throughout the county seeking to export to overseas destinations. In fact, we are the only Chamber of Commerce in Co. Tipperary authorised to certify documents. Since 2011 we have been able to authorise documents online using the TradeCert system. This system saves time and money for exporting companies by allowing them to have documents stamped electronically by staff at the Chamber.

Membership of Clonmel Chamber is an essential tool for hundreds of businesses in Co. Tipperary. We are consistently innovating and we have gained a reputation for being the most progressive Chamber in the country. If your company is already a member and you would like to find out more about how your company can maximise the value of membership please get in touch with us.

If you would like to know more about becoming a member of the Chamber and connecting with businesses from around Co. Tipperary please call us on 052 61 26500 today. Membership rates are calculated on company size and they are the most reasonable of any Chamber in the region. An annual subscription can start from as little as D190 plus VAT per annum. Call us today on 052 61 26500 or call into our offices at 8 Sarsfield Street in Clonmel and find out how your company can start to connect, grow and save as a member of Clonmel Chamber.

Join Clonmel Chamber

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EVENTS

32 The number of events hosted by Clonmel Chamber for members in the past 12 months.

31 The number of the events that were free for members to attend.

1847 That’s how many different individuals attended our networking events, conference, seminars and briefings in the past 12 months.

2Expo’s hosted by the Chamber for members.

61The amount of stands at the February 2014 Member Expo.

PROMOTING MEMBERS

50The number of Clonmel Chamber newsletters sent in the past year.

27,560The total amount of newsletter emails sent.

11,742The average number of monthly visitors to ClonmelChamber.com

45The amount of minutes it took from sending the March 7th newsletter containing an exclusive 20% off at Marks & Spencer Clonmel to the first voucher being redeemed at the Showgrounds store.

The Year in Numbers


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PRODUCTS & SERVICES

D1,500The annual amount being saved by one Chamber member by using the Chamber Fuel Card for their fleet of 9 vehicles.

16%.The percentage saving on their business utility bill that another member made by availing of our time limited offer with Electric Ireland in December 2013.

D40,000The annual amount that the above referenced member was spending annually on utilities before receiving the 16% discount.

THE VOICE OF BUSINESS

81The number of meetings held by Chamber board members and staff with representatives from Clonmel Borough and South Tipperary County Councils in the past year.

13,110The amount of emails received from members and responded to by Chamber staff.

D30,000The funding secured by Clonmel Retail Forum to promote the town for 2014 from Clonmel Borough Council.

ALSO….

7The number of staff now employed by Clonmel Chamber to work on behalf of member companies. At the end of 2009 there were 2 staff at the Chamber.

12The amount of hot-desks available at the start up centre in Hughes Mills, an initiative funded by the Chamber through the Clonmel Business Development Park.

170The amount of people employed in Clonmel Business Development Park in Carrigeen in local companies. The Clonmel Business Development Park is a joint not for profit venture between Clonmel Chamber and Clonmel Borough Council and was established in 2000.

3%This is the lowest shopping voucher redemption rate that we are aware of and it is the redemption rate for Clonmel Chamber Shopping Vouchers.

83The current number of businesses in Clonmel accepting the vouchers. Sign up to accept them and help us change this number to 100!

Contact Details:

Clonmel Chamber,8 Sarsfield Street,Clonmel,Co. Tipperary.

Tel: 052 61 26500e-mail: [email protected]: www.clonmelchamber.com

clonmel chamber annual report 2013 2014

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