Welcome to the first Chamber Newsletter of 2025.
It has been a busy start to 2025 with the launch of our Chamber Events Programme for the year ahead. The launch was well attended as always and we were delighted to announce to members that our new Communications Partner for 2025 is BT.
Our events kick-off this Tuesday, February 4th with BT at The Graduate Restaurant at Southern Regional College. This event will outline the significant opportunities for the expansion of digital infrastructure and 5G connectivity across Newry City and how businesses of all sizes can benefit.
There are still a few spaces available for this important event, so if you would like to explore the opportunities that improved 5G connectivity can offer your business, please register HERE. Registrations close on Monday evening, February 3rd.
January has seen the Chamber Team engage with many sectors and organisations to shape the programme for 2025. We look forward to welcoming you to our events throughout 2025 and wish you all every success in your business for the year ahead.
In this month’s newsletter, we have included information on:
• Members’ Networking Breakfast & 2025 Programme Launch
• Newry & Dundalk Chambers’ Cross-Border Conference
• Advanced Wireless 5G Infrastructure for Newry Workshop
• Southern Regional College BIG Apprenticeship Event
• Employee Ownership Ireland Newry Roadshow Event
Michael Savage
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
MEMBERS’ BREAKFAST & EVENTS PROGRAMME LAUNCH
Fantastic turnout yesterday in the Canal Court Hotel for our Annual Members’ Networking Breakfast where we launched our packed programme of events for this year in the Canal Court Hotel & Spa.
Chamber membership increased by 17% last year and the strength of our Chamber lies in our diverse, active and engaged membership of over 340 businesses and organisations working to drive the Economic Success of the Greater Newry Area.
Alongside announcing our 2025 events programme, our President, Edwina Flynn and our CEO, Michael Savage provided an update on our lobbying efforts in 2024 and set out our priorities for the year ahead, centred around our three core strategic pillars.
(1) Growing The Chamber
Continuing to develop Newry Chamber into one of the largest business organisations in NI with an active and engaged membership base.
(2) Advocating for Infrastructure
Leading the call to address infrastructure deficits, unlocking development and investment potential in Greater Newry.
(3) Tackling Recruitment & Skills Challenges
Uniting businesses, education and training providers to create a locally focused strategy addressing recruitment and skills shortages.
VIEW EVENTS PROGRAMME HERE
REGISTER NOW: ADVANCED WIRELESS 5G INFRASTRUCTURE
FOR NEWRY CITY BUSINESSES INFORMATION WORKSHOP
DATE: Tuesday 4th February 2025
TIME: 9am – 11am
VENUE: SRC Graduate Restaurant, Newry
COST: FREE TO ATTEND
This workshop will provide an overview of the major Advanced Wireless 5G Infrastructure Investment proposed for Newry, stretching the full length of the city, encompassing our commercial centres and industrial estates.
The applications that can be enabled by 5G technology will offer game-changing and transformative economic, social and environmental benefits for local businesses and public services.
In partnership with BT, the event will share information about the proposed Advanced Wireless Technology and the benefits of 5G, ensuring local businesses are well-informed and aware of future potential opportunities.
The workshop will cover the following areas:
• 5G and its role in modernising business operations
• Benefits of 5G that support the next gen of digitisation
• 5G applications relevant to business and industries
REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE
REGISTER: CROSS-BORDER TRADE & ECONOMIC CONFERENCE
DATE: Tuesday 4th March 2025
TIME: 8am – 1:30pm
VENUE: Carrickdale Hotel & Spa
COST: FREE TO ATTEND
Register now for Newry & Dundalk Chambers’ Annual Cross-Border Trade & Economic Conference, which will focus on ‘Building a Sustainable All-Island Economy’.
With great local and global economic uncertainty and the cost of doing business creating a challenging business environment, businesses need to plan for the future and help build a sustainable, successful All-Island Economy.
The annual conference is regularly attended by 300+ business representatives from both North and South and it will cover the All-Island Economic Outlook, Business Supports and Skills & People.
Senior government representatives from NI and ROI, keynote speakers, policy officials and business advisors will set out the shape of future cross-border cooperation and their priorities for the region.
The full conference programme and list of speakers will be published in the coming days but be sure to secure your place today by registering below.
REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE
REGISTER: SRC BIG APPRENTICESHIP EVENT NEWRY
DATE: Tuesday 4th February 2025
TIME: 5pm – 7:30pm
VENUE: SRC Newry West Campus
COST: FREE TO ATTEND
If you know someone who is currently studying GCSEs, A Levels, Level 3 qualifications or are thinking about a career change, please encourage them to register for the SRC Big Apprenticeship Event next week.
They will have the opportunity to connect with a variety of exhibitors including local employers who are actively recruiting for this September and speak with the expert staff at SRC about the huge range of apprenticeships and higher-level apprenticeships available and receive 1-1 career advice.
The SRC Apprentice Ambassadors will also be there on the evening to share their incredible journeys so please encourage anyone you know who may be interested in discovering the 2025 Apprenticeship and Higher Level Apprenticeship options available to them to register.
Please note, there are scheduled arrival times for the event so please select the time that best suits you.
REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE
EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP IRELAND NEWRY ROADSHOW EVENT
DATE: Tuesday 26th February 2025
TIME: 8am
VENUE: Canal Court Hotel, Newry
COST: FREE TO ATTEND
To help business owners and advisors understand how employee ownership works and the benefits it offers, Employee Ownership Ireland are hosting a roadshow event in Newry at the end of February so register now.
This upcoming event will feature first-hand insights from businesses that have successfully transitioned to an employee ownership model, along with expert guidance on the process, benefits and key considerations.
This is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses, advisors and stakeholders to learn more about a model that is gaining momentum across the UK and Ireland.
A key speaker at the event will be Anthony McVeigh, CEO of S&W Wholesale, a Newry-based business that transitioned to employee ownership in 2023. Speaking about their journey, Anthony said:
“At S&W Wholesale, we are a company run for the benefit of our employees. Moving to an employee ownership model has allowed us to protect our values, empower our workforce, and ensure the long-term success of the business.”
REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE