The busy start to 2024 continues with Newry Chamber rolling out its packed events programme, focusing on the delivery of the Chamber’s three core strategic pillars of:
- Building a Vibrant and Engaging Chamber Membership
- Tackling the Infrastructure Deficit in the Greater Newry Area
- Developing a Recruitment and Skills Strategy for the Greater Newry Area
Your President and I have returned from a successful Trade Visit to Washington D.C. where we placed the Greater Newry Area in the hearts and minds of US investors and political leaders against the backdrop of a positive display of collaboration from First Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA and Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly MLA at the many networking events throughout St. Patrick’s Week.
With Ministers now back around the Executive Table to shape a Programme For Government, we continue to chair the Greater Newry Vision Partnership to identify and agree the key capital and strategic priorities for the Greater Newry Area and challenge Ministers to address the infrastructure deficit across our city and district.
The Chamber’s commitment to developing a Skills and Recruitment Strategy for the Greater Newry Area is also high on the agenda with a Recruitment & Skills Forum planned for later in the month aimed at bringing Employers, Recruiters, Education and Training Providers together to map a way forward to help meet the workforce challenges we face across the region. We really want to see as many members as possible at the event so please register in advance. View more details below.
In this month’s newsletter, we have included information on:
- Newry Chamber Recruitment & Skills Forum
- Successful Washington D.C Trade Visit
- Cross-Border Trade & Economic Conference
- International Women’s Day Lunch at Killeavy Castle Estate
- NMD Labour Market Partnership Business Masterclasses
- InterTradeIreland FREE Trade Export Clinic
- Hinch Distillery Legacy Cask Programme Evening Invitation
Michael Savage
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
NEWRY CHAMBER RECRUITMENT & SKILLS FORUM
MEETING GREATER NEWRY’S WORKFORCE CHALLENGE
DATE: Monday 22nd April 2024
TIME: 9am – 1pm
VENUE: Canal Court Hotel, Newry
COST: FREE
Addressing the Recruitment & Skills Shortages is one of the biggest challenges facing our members and the business community in the Greater Newry Area.
One of the Chamber’s core strategic pillars is centred on bringing Businesses and Education & Training Providers together to develop a sustainable strategy to tackle our region’s recruitment and skills challenges. This Forum is the first step in that process.
John Campbell, BBC NI’s Business & Economics Editor is our MC and he will be wrapping up proceedings with a feedback session from those in attendance which will help shape a local recruitment and skills strategy to be framed at a major conference in Autumn 2024.
This Forum will feature Keynote Speakers including:
- Kathleen O’Hare, Chair, Northern Ireland Skills Council
- Eoin Magennis, Principal Economist, Ulster University
It will be followed by a series of panel discussions:
- Young People
- Education & Training Providers
- Business & Employers
BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE HERE
CHAMBER PUTS GREATER NEWRY AREA ON THE MAP
DURING SUCCESSFUL WASHINGTON D.C TRADE VISIT
Our President, Edwina Flynn and CEO, Michael Savage travelled to Washington D.C. for the St. Patrick’s Week events from 11th – 15th March.
They attended 13 major networking events during the packed Four-Day Trade Visit, promoting our members, Newry City and the Greater Newry Area to potential investors and companies in the US as a destination to invest in and do business.
Positive engagement came against the backdrop of impressive speeches and strong display of collaboration by the First Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA as well as the Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly MLA.
The Chamber were warmly welcomed and engaged at a personal level with 150+ key influencers and business leaders from the US and presented each of them with a specially commissioned storyboard business card which outlined the area’s unique position as the new Gateway to the UK & European Markets for American companies.
The storyboard business card, which can be viewed HERE, carried a QR code linking a list of members across the Greater Newry Area with current or potential US links with their counterparts across the Atlantic and this directory can be viewed HERE.
READ MORE HERE
ALL-ISLAND ECONOMY TOP OF THE AGENDA AT
NEWRY & DUNDALK CHAMBERS’ ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Over 300 business delegates from across the island of Ireland attended our Annual Cross-Border Conference in partnership with Dundalk Chamber on Wed 6th March in the Carrickdale Hotel which focused on the key theme of ‘Building a Sustainable All-Island Economy’.
The conference was addressed by Conor Murphy MLA, Minister for the Economy and Neale Richmond TD, Minister for State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
It was also attended by the US Ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin who was warmly welcome and she told delegates of her country’s deep commitment to investing in Ireland North and South and the development of the All-Island Economy.
Delegates heard from 20 speakers from both sides of the border across the four themes of Skills & People, Business Supports, Sustainability in Action as well as the All-Island Economy and hosted by Mark Simpson. Broadcaster and Journalist, Mark Simpson.
READ MORE HERE
VIEW PRESENTATIONS HERE
NEWRY CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
CELEBRATION LUNCH AT KILLEAVY CASTLE ESTATE
It was an amazing day on Friday 8th March at our International Women’s Day Celebration Lunch in the beautiful surroundings of Killeavy Castle Estate kindly sponsored by Southern Regional College and KPMG and hosted by our MC, Deborah Loughran.
The demand for tickets for this now annual event which is in its fifth year is incredible and we were delighted to have over 200 guests in attendance.
It was a fantastic afternoon from start to finish with an inspirational address from our President, Edwina Flynn and our Keynote Speakers, Broadcaster & Journalist, Dearbhail McDonald and Trailblazing Model, Kate Grant.
We were also honoured to be joined by four incredible local businesspeople for our panel discussion about how we can inspire inclusion and accelerate progress in the workplace and society.
- Marie Farrell, Tax Director, KPMG Ireland
- Lee Campbell, Interim CEO, SRC
- Brian Reid, Founder & CEO, DELI LITES Ireland
- Feargal McCormack, Managing Partner, FPM
Thanks to all the local businesses who provided prizes for our charity raffle which together with the sale of a one-off piece of art painted live at the event by Artist, Frankie Bannon raised £3,000 for our Charity Partners, Women’s Aid Armagh Down and Autism Families.
READ MORE HERE
NMD LABOUR MARKET PARTNERSHIP TO
HOST FREE BUSINESS MASTERCLASSES
NEWRY EVENT
DATE: Monday 15th April 2024
TIME: 5:30pm – 8pm
VENUE: Canal Court Hotel, Newry
COST: FREE
BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE HERE
DOWNPATRICK EVENT
DATE: Tuesday 16th April 2024
TIME: 5:30pm – 8pm
VENUE: Denvir’s Hotel, Downpatrick
COST: FREE
BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE HERE
Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership is hosting two FREE business masterclasses offering expert practical guidance and advice to businesses in Newry and Downpatrick.
All businesses who wish to avail of tips and advice to support business growth are welcome to attend. Key themes which will be covered include brand awareness, visual merchandising, digital marketing, upselling, online selling, customer service and employment retention.
Well-known business journalist, Gary McDonald will host an ‘In Conversation With’ session with Pete Boyle, CEO, Argento at the Downpatrick event and with Clare Vallely, Creative Director, Kukoon at the Newry event.
There will be presentations from business experts:
- Maeve Finnegan, Mitso Marketing
- Siobhan Walsh, Retail Consultant
- Bronagh Lennon, Lennon Employment Services
READ MORE HERE
INTERTRADEIRELAND FREE TRADE EXPORT CLINIC
DATE: Wednesday 17th April 2024
TIME: 8:30am – 12:30pm
VENUE: Carrickdale Hotel
COST: FREE
If you are considering trading across the border for the first time but don’t know where to start, then the expert team at InterTradeIreland can provide you with the knowledge and skills to succeed.
At this informal drop-in clinic, businesses interested in trading cross-border can hear more about the support on offer from InterTradeIreland and they will also go through everything from applications, eligibility and criteria.
InterTradeIreland can support you in the areas of:
- Navigating cross-border trade requirements
- Creating an export plan
- Building sales development skills
- Funding and tailored support
If your business has cross-border export potential, then InterTradeIreland would like to talk to you so drop-in anytime and the team will be ready to have that all important chat to start your export journey.
BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE HERE
HINCH DISTILLERY LEGACY CASK PROGRAMME EVENING
DATE: Friday 19th April 2024
TIME: 7pm – 10:30pm
VENUE: Hinch Distillery, Ballynahinch
COST: FREE
Have you ever considered owning your very own cask of Single Malt Whiskey but wanted to find out more about what is involved?
Hinch Distillery are hosting an exclusive evening event for individuals that are keen to explore this alternative investment and own a piece of Irish Whiskey history.
This event offers you an in-depth look at Hinch’s cask ownership opportunities, with a guided distillery tour and a tailored whiskey tasting, all accompanied with food and entertainment.
There are a few remaining spaces and Hinch Distillery wants to offer these to their fellow Chamber members.
Please note, you are very welcome to bring a plus one, but please secure your spot in advance and all guests must be over 18.
TO SECURE YOUR SPOT, PLEASE EMAIL:
heather.mccracken@hinchdistillery.com
READ MORE HERE