Clonmel chamber

Annual Report 2012/2013
3
The Chamber movement – both locally and nationally – is a powerful force
for positivity and here in Clonmel Chamber we pride ourselves on being ‘in
business for business.’
However, this year we have decided to take this mantra one step further,
adopting a pro-active stance against our economic travails and committing
to changing the collective mindset, not just at a local level but across the
entire island of Ireland.
Following five years of crippling, but necessary, austerity; social discontent;
and economic turmoil, we believe that the time has come for positive action.
Whilst it is vital that we, as Ireland’s business leaders and entrepreneurs,
acknowledge the immense difficulties being experienced by individuals and
communities throughout the land, it is also imperative that we now look
forward with a shared vision and speak to the future with a united voice.
At a local level, membership of Clonmel Chamber has grown again, itself a
real and tangible sign of the united stance which we in the premier county
have adopted in an effort to move Ireland forward.
Having witnessed the invaluable benefits that a stronger and more vibrant
Chamber movement has brought to the commercial and social fabric of our
local areas, we strongly encourage each of you to follow our example and take positive and achievable steps that will
ultimately kick-start a national conversation around the urgent need for a vibrant new beginning.
Too often we have heard that ‘perception is reality’. Now is the time for Ireland’s business community to initiate a radical
change in the collective mindset and create a new reality for our island; a reality that will convey the confidence, aspiration,
ambition and commitment so cherished by provincial towns, such as Clonmel, and help us to steer a calmer course as we
navigate our way to a brighter and more prosperous future.
By expanding our horizons, whilst facing up to the enormity of the challenges that lie ahead, we will not only change the
world’s perception of Ireland Inc. but create a shift in mindset that will deliver a new vista of hope and opportunity for our
island.
The Chamber has long been at the centre of life in Clonmel and South Tipperary and it is because of our members and their
support that we have continued to progress to a point where we are now regarded as one of the most dynamic Chambers
of Commerce in Ireland. This has only been possible because of the work that members, the volunteers who sit on the board
of Directors and the staff of the organisation have done to make sure that Clonmel remains a positive place in which to be
in business.
I would like to wish you continued success for the coming year and thank you for
your support of Clonmel Chamber.
Valerie O’Reilly,
President,
Clonmel Chamber
Contents
President’s Address 3
National Enterprise Conference 2012 4
Policy Initiatives 6
Chamber Events 7
Questions Answers 10
Chamber Week 2012 11
Christmas in Clonmel 12
Shop Local 14
International Trade 15
Clonmel Chamber in the Community 16
County Tipperary Skillnet 18
Social Media Skillnet 19
Directors Staff 20
Join Clonmel Chamber 21
National Enterprise Conference 2013 22
President’s Address

544
The National Enterprise Conference in 2012 was a huge
success with delegates from around the country gathering
in Hotel Minella.  The theme of the conference was ‘growth’
and the five speakers gave their views and insights in to
what it meant to them.
Cully Allen, half of the famous Irish food partnership Cully
Sully, opened the conference with an explanation on
how he had graduated with a fine art degree and ended
up as a soup entrepreneur.  He recounted the stages that
Sully and he encountered as they developed their product
and sought to bring it to market.  Cully advocated that
businesses be agile and receptive to new ideas in order to
be successful.
Lorcan O’Hobain from Skillnets and Shane Cradock both
looked at how personal performance and management can
make a huge difference to the success of a business.  Shane
recounted his personal story, detailing extraordinary highs
and lows.  His frankness silenced the audience who listened
to him outlining how we need to manage ourselves better
in order to thrive.  His presentation can be summed up
with one of his quotes; “we recharge our mobile phones
more than we recharge our own batteries.  That’s wrong”.
Sean Murphy from Chambers Ireland outlined what
government and local authorities can do to help businesses
grow.  He gave a detailed breakdown of the work that
Chambers Ireland and local Chambers were doing to make
Clonmel and the entire country a better place in which to
do business.
Lucy Masterson from Hireland received a fantastic response
to her story of how she and a friend had developed an idea
at a kitchen table that had sent 4,000 people back to work
in 2012. Hireland’s aim is to encourage companies to pledge
to fill one job in their company to reduce unemployment in
Ireland.  Fresh from Hireland winning an award at the Social
Entrepreneurs of the Year ceremony in Dublin the night
before, Lucy outlined how they had carried out research
which demonstrated that their initiative had already saved
the Irish government thirty million euro in 2012.
Speaking after the event Chamber President Valerie
O’Reilly said that the conference had been a very positive
event.
“Stories such as those from Cully,
Shane and Lucy demonstrated that one
can be very successful by having the
right attitude and the right idea.We
always try to send people away at the
end of the conference with food for
thought and I believe that this year’s
speakers definitely fulfilled their brief”
The National
Enterprise
Conference 2012

7
Policy Initiatives
66
The Chamber continued to represent the views of members
to local authorities and government in the past twelve
months.
In the approach to Budget 2013 Clonmel Chamber
was a vociferous opponent of the plans to transfer the
responsibility for paid sick leave to employers. Following
extensive lobbying by our Chamber and others in the
Chamber network the decision to change legislation on
the issue remain unchanged.
Locally, the Chamber delivered a comprehensive document
outlining the views and suggestions of members on the
issue of parking in the town centre. A number of the
suggestions contained within the report have been
adopted in the Clonmel Parking Strategy document which
is at draft stage at the time of going to press.
The upcoming amalgamation of North and South Tipperary
County Councils has been the subject of much debate
locally. The Chamber has met with key stakeholders in the
process throughout the past twelve months to impress on
them the strategic importance of Clonmel in the county
and the region. We also made a detailed submission to the
Electoral Boundary Commission advocating an alignment
of Clonmel with Cahir to create a new municipal district.
The proposal also suggested that the Clonmel and Cahir
municipal district centre should be served by ten of the
forty all county Councillors from 2014 onwards.
Nationally, as part of the Chamber network, we launched
an ‘Alternative 10 Point Plan’ to generate jobs in the
current economy. The plan was launched as a response
to the government plan and it was created by subject
matter experts within the Chamber network from around
the country. The alternative plan, launched in April 2013
asks for:
1. Introduce a Reduced VAT Rate on Housing Repair,
Maintenance and Improvements (RMI)
2. Enable Start-ups to Offset Corporation Tax against
Other Taxes Due
3. Halve the level of Capital Gains Tax for Entrepreneurs
to 16.5%
4. Introduce a Targeted Rates Reduction for Businesses in
Town Centres
5. Introduce a Double Rent Deduction for Companies
with Upward Only Rent Reviews
6. Apply an‘Ireland Rate of Return’ inTendering Decisions
for Public Sector Contracts
7. Introduce an Additional Tax Incentive Policy to
Encourage Private Sector Investment
8. Promote Ireland as the Best Possible Location for
Nearshoring
9. Mandate all Government Research Funding Agencies
to set aside 2.5% of their Budget for SMEs
10. Introduce Further Operational Initiatives to Promote
Business Interests

Clonmel Chamber will continue to be the strong voice for
business locally, regionally and nationally. We will continue
to represent the best interests of members to the relevant
bodies. The upcoming changes to local government
structures in County Tipperary will be monitored keenly by
the Chamber to ensure that Clonmel retains its position as
the leading business centre in the county.
Clonmel Chamber has a well won reputation for staging
interesting, engaging and informative events for our
members. Over the past twelve months we have hosted
networking sessions, behind the scenes tours, educational
events and much more.
Valerie O'Reilly was elected President of Clonmel Chamber
at the June 2012 AGM at The Main Guard. Speaking after
her election the new President said that delighted to take
on the role at a time when the Chamber was performing so
strongly. She also said that she was committed to working
to assist businesses in these difficult times. In closing, she
thanked the outgoing President, Tina Mulhearne, for her
three years in the role and praised her commitment to the
Chamber.
Microsoft Ireland chose Clonmel Chamber as one of its
partners for their Cloud Computing roadshow in late 2012.
Denis Meade, Partner for Cloud Services, at Microsoft
Ireland was a guest speaker at the event. Clonmel Chamber
is the first Chamber in Ireland to fully utilise cloud services.
It has resulted in cost savings and an increase in efficiency.
Staff from Microsoft were on hand at the Park Hotel at the
event to demonstrate how migrating to the cloud could be
of benefit to companies of all sizes.
Chamber Events

88
The team at O'Gorman, Brannigan, Purtill were again on
hand to present at the annual 'Budget Breakfast'. Budget
2013 had much to digest and Audrey Crean, Patrick
O'Gorman and their colleagues were on hand to highlight
the real impact of budgetary measures to Clonmel
businesses.
Each year we like to start the new year with an informal
event that brings members and guests together. Last year
we spent an evening at the Tipp FM studios in Gurtnafleur.
This year we spent an evening at the Tullamore Dew plant
on the Waterford Road. Garry Moore and Enda Lynch
hosted the event which included a presentation about the
company, a guided tour of the facility and a nosing and
tasting session. Needless to say, a good evening was had
by all who attended!
Ask any business what they want more of and the chances
are that they will answer the same way: more sales. With
that in mind, we hosted an evening sales seminar with
Charlie Mernagh in February. There was a full house
for the presentation and feedback from the event was
particularly good.
There has been significant coverage of the impending
insolvency act. In March we asked a number of experts
to present to members on the topic. John Lynch, Tom
Pollard, Andrea Gleasure and Freddie Hatton presented to
a packed room at Raheen House on the issue.
We are consistently working to provide opportunities
for members to create new business relationships, stay
informed on issues that impact on local businesses and
develop new skills to drive future success. Our events
calendar is consistently being updated. Upcoming
events for 2013 include an evening at Powerstown Park
racecourse, a number of guest speakers covering topics
suggested by members and an earlier than usual Budget
Breakfast 2014.
We are able to offer these events free to members because
of their support through membership subscriptions. We
believe that membership of the Chamber should provide
a return on investment and that is why our events are
focused on developing revenue and further success for
member companies.
Chamber Events
9

111010
Questions Answers
In October 2012 Clonmel Chamber hosted the first
Questions Answers event. Based on the format of the
popular television programme, the event offered members
the opportunity to get direct answers to direct questions.
The panel consisted of local and national politicians and
decision makers and included Clonmel Town Clerk Ger Walsh,
Mayor Billy Shoer, Minister Brian Hayes, Tom Hayes TD and
Pat Leahy from The Sunday Business Post. Fran Curry from
Tipp FM chaired the panel on the night.
The aim of the event was to bring public sector decision
makers and Chamber members together to enable both sides
to hear directly from the other
Questions on the night came from the audience and covered
many topics including centralised procurement, increases
in costs to businesses, commercial rates in Clonmel, the
influence of the troika on government policy and much more.
Clonmel native Pat Leahy provided a fascinating overview of
the issues at the heart of the Fine Gael Labour government
and how they would impact on future budgets and legislation.
Feedback from the event was particularly positive and we are
currently working on the 2013 event which will be one of the
main events on Chamber Week 2013.
Chamber Week
ChamberWeek 2012 saw members go behind the scenes at one of the
world’s leading racehorse training establishments. Ballydoyle Racing
is regarded globally as the trainer of champions and a small group of
members were treated to a very special guided tour. Polly Murphy
from Ballydoyle demonstrated an encyclopaedic knowledge of the
operation as members were guided around the over five hundred
acre site. The first week in October was a particularly busy time at
Ballydoyle as staff were preparing to travel to France to participate
in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Members were given an overview
of the science behind the sport and the efforts undertaken by Aidan
O’Brien and his team to train world class horses.
Aside from the Questions Answers event which is covered in
detail in this report, members of the Chamber were also invited to
participate in a unique health and safety training course entitled
‘Deal With It’. The course was delivered by trainers from Clonmel
Chamber member company SOG Ltd. ‘Deal With It’ training differs
from other health and safety training because it is interactive. On
the day, staff from Wm Grants, Medite, Corman Miloko and the
Chamber were put through their paces by trainers Neil and Clive.
All Chamber Week events are free. The aim of Chamber Week is
to raise awareness throughout Ireland about the work undertaken
by Chambers of Commerce. The initiative was devised by Clonmel
Chamber CEO Brian Cleary. Over fifty Chambers held Chamber
Week events in 2012. The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce
will be taking part in the 2013 event adding to the momentum that
has built around the initiative.

131212
Santa Claus came to Clonmel in style on December 8th when
he arrived at The Main Guard on his Polar Express train.  His
arrival was part of a day of Christmas festivities in the town
organised to attract people to the town centre.

Hundreds of children took part in art classes, carol singing and
storytellingintheCountyMuseumonSaturdaymorning.  Santa
Claus arrived at the museum at 2pm just in time to catch the
Polar Express train to The Main Guard with art competition
winners.  He was greeted by Banna Cluain Meala and over 200
people when he arrived at the landmark building and he had
more than a few surprises up his sleeve.

Santa and his elves had lucky bags for all of the children who
were lucky enough to get in to see him in the grotto while the
first one hundred and twenty five groups that visited Santa
were also given a surprise.  They each received a C20 Clonmel
shopping voucher that could be redeemed in over seventy
Clonmel stores.

Santa met over 300 children in the two hours that he was at
the grotto and he then joined Clonmel’s Roz Purcell to switch
on the Christmas lights.

Brian Cleary from Clonmel Chamber organised the event as
part of the Clonmel Retail Forum and he said that they were
happy with the day“There was a great atmosphere in the town
and we were all genuinely taken aback by how many people
Christmas
in Clonmel
came out to meet Santa and to take a trip on the train.  If we
had stayed until 8 or 9pm we wouldn’t have got through the
queue of people waiting to see Santa and that’s something
that we need to look at for next year’s event”.

The event was made possible by the Association of Clonmel
Traders and Clonmel Chamber of Commerce with financial
assistance from both the Borough and County Councils.

151414
Clonmel Chamber has continued to maintain its focus on
developing opportunities for member companies in overseas
markets.
Our annual ‘Doing Business In..’ event focused on one of
the world’s most dynamic economies – China. Daniel Gao
and Philip Singleton spoke to delegates about how Clonmel
companies could begin to do business in a market of over one
billion people. Following the event a number of attendees met
with Daniel Gao at the Chinese embassy in Dublin to further
explore how their companies could do business in China.
In February 2013 Clonmel Chamber CEO Brian Cleary was
part of a delegation of local groups that travelled to Reading
to develop links. Reading has been twinned with Clonmel
since 1994 and the recent trip was regarded by many as the
most purposeful twinning trip of any group to Reading. While
there, the Chamber CEO met with counterparts in Thames
Valley Chamber. Both Chambers have committed to work on
a project to benefit members of both Chambers. The Clonmel
delegation also met with representatives of local tourism
organisations and the Reading Irish Club.
One of the most anticipated events in 2013 will be ‘The
Gathering of Chambers’. This event will see members of
Clonmel Chamber meet with members of Cambridge Chamber
from Ontario in Canada. The aim of the September 11th
event will be to look at opportunities for Irish companies in
the bustling Canadian market and for Canadian companies to
identify opportunities in Ireland.
International Trade

171616
Clonmel Chamber has always been at the heart of the local
community and the past twelve months have been no different.
During the course of the year the Chamber has played a part in
many events including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Entente
Florale competition, Tidy Towns, Christmas in Clonmel, the
Intel Ideation event with the Lions Club and many more.
The 2013 St.Patrick’s Day Parade was one of the most colourful
ever. Local arts group Shellikybookie were one of the stand-
out groups of the event with a number of elaborate floats that
highlighted the parade theme of ‘The Beauty That Surrounds
Us’. The parade was watched by thousands of spectators
who were delighted by over forty local sporting, artistic
and community groups. The St. Patrick’s Day Committee
convened meetings in September 2012 to begin planning for
the weekend’s festivities. Aside from the parade there was
an historical lecture about the 18th century property tax, the
annual gala dinner at Hotel Minella and much more.
The Eileen Anderson Unsung Hero Award was presented to
Michelle Meagher at the gala dinner. The event itself had a
record turnout with almost two hundred people attending the
event. Michelle was honoured for her work with the Irish Red
Cross and a range of other local organisations.
Months earlier the Chamber had played a large part in the
Entente Florale completion. Clonmel never looked as good as
it did in the summer of 2012. A multitude of groups in town
collaborated in the town’s entry to the Entente Florale Europe
competition. Clonmel Chamber was represented on the
steering committee by Brian Cleary.
The aim of the steering committee was to ensure that Clonmel
put its best foot forward on the 3rd of August for the visit of
the judges and to ensure that the enhancements were of long
lasting benefit to the town.
During the course of the preparations the business community
in the town made a significant effort by painting their buildings
and displaying hanging baskets. Clonmel’s overall success is
due in no small part to the efforts expended by the business
sector in the approach to judging day.
On the 3rd of August the judges started the day with a
presentation led by Brian Cleary, Cllr Darren Ryan and
Martin Nolan from Clonmel Borough Council. They then
travelled through Clonmel meeting volunteers from over 20
organisations who outlined the work that they did to make
Clonmel a great place in which to live.
Clonmel was subsequently awarded a silver medal at the
Entente Florale Europe prize giving ceremony in Holland on
September 14th. Nineteen cities, towns and villages took part
in the 2012 competition.
The silver award denoted a result of between 65% and 84%
in overall marking. The jury praised Clonmel on many areas
in the overall report. The close liaison between the statutory
and voluntary agencies impressed the jury as did the towns
links with the environment. The jury gave praise to the town’s
seasonal planting displays. The report described many of the
planted beds as being ‘superb in presentation’. The visit to St.
Oliver’s School was highly praised as was the jury’s visit to
Willow Park.
Clonmel
Chamber in
the Community
The jury report concluded that “it was obvious that the
preparations for the competition embraced the spirit of the
competition and that all aspects of the criteria had been
prepared”.
Speaking at the awards ceremony in Venlo, Mayor Billy Shoer
praised the multitude of local groups that played a part in
helping Clonmel win the silver award. “None of this would
have been possible without many groups deciding that they
wanted to do their best for Clonmel. The exceptional efforts of
each and every person were pivotal to our success. The spirit
of co-operation demonstrated was heartening and I hope that
it has created a base from which we can build in the future”
he said.
The Mayor also paid tribute to the steering committee who
had worked on the Entente Florale project from January of
2012. The committee consisted of representatives from
Clonmel Borough Council, South Tipperary County Council,
Clonmel Tidy Towns, Clonmel Chamber and the Association of
Clonmel Traders.

191818
County Tipperary
Skillnet
During May -August 2012 a group of job seekers took part in
a series of training programmes provided by Future People,
Cashel funded by CountyTipperary Skillnet (pictured below).
The aim of this Job Seeker Support Programme (JSSP) is to
give participants an opportunity to enhance their skills in
the area of personal development, project management and
IT with a view to supporting and increasing their future job
prospects in the area of IT and project management.
An integral part of the programme concluded with a 5
week work placement facilitated by local companies who
were very supportive. As a result of this training some have
secured work while others are taking part in further training
to develop their skills.
Due to the success of the JSSP 2012 County Tipperary
Skillnet secured funding for another JSSP which started on
March 11, 2013.
Charlie Mernagh delivering FETAC Supervisory Skills training
to a group of local business people in Clonmel for County
Tipperary Skillnet.
About us: Social Media Skillnet is a national, enterprise-
led, training network committed to the development and
delivery of training at a subsidised rate through availing of
Government funding. The network was formed in July 2011
in response to the huge demand for training in social media,
but has since branched out to include other areas such as IT
training and recruitment training. Our mission is to enhance
the skills of people in employment in Ireland through relative
training that supports efficiency and competitiveness.
Highlights: In September 2012, the network organised
a FREE Seminar to ‘Develop your LinkedIn/Brand Online’
which was held in the DCU Ryan Academy in City West,
Dublin. Speakers at the event included 3 delegates from
LinkedIn Ireland (Jack Hanratty, Donnacha Friel and Riona
Mulhall). There were almost 70 participants in attendance
to witness this hugely informative event. Topics covered
included how to best leverage LinkedIn for free, how to find
and attract contacts and connections, how to use LinkedIn
for Business development and how to identify prospects. In
conjunction with this, we also held an Interview Skills and
Preparation Course in the afternoon. The Network hopes to
run this popular event in 2013 also.
In March 2013, the network organised an event called
‘Social Media A Road To Success’ (SMARTS) in the DCU Ryan
Academy, City West Business Campus in Dublin.We had
speakers presenting on the major social media topics
of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube/Multimedia and
Blogging.The 30 delegates in attendance got an opportunity
to hear first-hand from businesses who shared their
insider tips and tricks on how their business benefits from
integrating social media into their marketing and promotion
plans.
Success: Throughout 2012, the Network contributed to
the training of over 300 employed participants from nearly
200 different member companies and over 50 unemployed
participants; totalling almost 700 training days. These
targets have increased throughout 2013. The success of the
network is due to the following:
• Offering subsidised high quality, relevant training
identified by the customer
• Developing the business competence and skills of the
members
• Creating a forum for the exchange of knowledge and
information on training
• Tailoring social media content to align with business
priorities and customer interests
• Updating and improving IT Skills across all levels
Member Companies Courses: The target group for
Social Media Skillnet comprises of mainly SMEs with a
limited number of larger businesses from various sectors on
a National Level. Becoming a member company is free of
charge; you simply have to partake in training to avail of
our discounted rates! Our training is specifically organised
in response to member company needs, ensuring that all
training that we offer is relevant to current business needs.
Our contracted training providers have passed through a
rigorous tendering process, ensuring that we have selected
the most experienced, effective trainers in their subject
areas. Typical training programmes include Social Media
Courses (including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube,
Etc), Digital Marketing/Internet Marketing Courses, Internet
Recruiter Courses, HR Masterclass in Social Media Courses,
VM Ware, Project Management Professional and IT Courses.
FREE Training for Jobseekers: Whilst our key focus is on
the needs of member companies, we also offer a limited
number of free places to those who are unemployed and
seeking to increase their employment prospects through
up-skilling and networking. If you are currently unemployed
and fit the Skillnets definition of a jobseeker (see www.
skillnets.ie/jobseeker), you may be eligible to attend training
with the Network with no charge or impact on your social
welfare payments or benefits. Social Media Skillnet has also
been awarded funding from Skillnets Limited for training
courses through the Job-Seekers Support Programme in
2013. The Job-seekers Support Programme (JSSP) is a 100%
funded initiative aimed solely at training unemployed
people. It provides skills which are in demand by industry,
combined with direct access to employers through work
placements. We have chosen to run a Web Design/Digital
Marketing Programme with these JSSP funds.
To find out more information or to discuss how Social Media
Skillnet can address your training needs, please contact
Maggie on details below.
Maggie O’ Brien (Network Manager) 052 6191102/ 086
7776476 or maggie@socialmediaskillnet.com
SKILLNETSocial Media Skillnet

21
2020
21
Clonmel Chamber has been at the heart of business and the
community for almost ninety years. Today, the organisation
is regarded nationally as one of the leading Chambers in
Ireland. Initiatives and business practices put in place by
Clonmel Chamber have been adopted by other groups around
the country.
The range of services and events available to our members
is broad and is built to meet the needs of a diverse group of
businesses who have chosen to become members.
Our membership offering is built around the belief that
membership is an investment and that our work must
provide a return on that investment. We believe that memb
sership must provide real opportunities for members to
realise a return on the investment that they have made in
the organisation.
Here are some of the benefits available to Clonmel Chamber
members:
Promote Your Business
We firmly believe that people will do business with people
they know. That is why we offer networking opportunities
every month to enable member businesses to promote their
services and products to other members. These have proven
to be very successful and are well attended each month. The
networking events are free to members and are hosted in a
range of locations around Clonmel.
Each day, our staff members pass on business leads and
referrals to member companies. As the largest business
services organisation in the county we are consistently
asked to recommend service and product providers to local
companies.
Our weekly newsletter is read by over five hundred business
people in County Tipperary each week. It presents members
with a fantastic platform to promote their businesses free of
charge.
Up To The Minute Information
Our range of events throughout the year feature guest
speakers and our participation in the Small Business Advice
service means that our members can access specialist mentors
at any time. Small Business Advice is a free service offering
a number of free mentoring sessions on issues of concern for
companies. So far in 2012 Clonmel companies have met with
finance, business development, marketing, taxation, logistics
and human resources consultants. They have been able to
avail of free mentoring in these critical business areas.
Have Your Voice Heard
Our Directors and Staff represent the business community
on approximately thirty boards and committees in South
Tipperary. They do so to best represent the needs and the
aspirations of the business community. In the past twelve
months the Chamber has played a significant role in theTown
Centre Forum, a body consisting of members of Clonmel
Borough Council, the Association of Clonmel Traders and the
Chamber. This group has commissioned a marketing plan to
drive footfall in the town centre and to increase revenue for
local businesses.
In the past twelve months we have also produced a highly
regarded strategy document on the parking issue and a
submission to the Electoral Boundaries Commission.
Nationally, Clonmel Chamber is represented on the board
of Chambers Ireland which is the largest business group in
the country. Issues concerning our members are brought to
decision makers in local authorities and national government
on a daily basis. We do this to ensure that Clonmel maintains
a pro business environment and that it remains a great place
in which to be in business.
About
Clonmel Chamber
ClonmelChamberisthelargestmemberservicesorganisationin
CountyTipperary. In recent years we have enjoyed membership
growth. We believe that this is as a result of our ethos of
providing relevant services, products and information to the
business community. We are also the voice of the business
community in Clonmel and South Tipperary. Our member
companies employ approximately ten thousand people. Every
day we work to maintain a pro-business environment in the
region to ensure that those businesses survive and develop.
Who We Are
The Chamber has a full time staff of four people and two
interns. Each staff member and intern works on behalf of
members every day. Our staff members are always available
to answer any questions that members or prospective
members may have.
Chamber Council
President Valerie O’Reilly
Unicorn PR
Vice Presidents Mark Hanratty
Bulmers
Peter O’Donnell
Sinclair Property
Directors Michael Boyle
Clonmel Park Hotel
Don Davern
NewVision
Kieran Dunne
MSD
Kevin Finn
AbbottVascular
Walter Heneghan
Suir Pharma
Aisling Kilroy
The Narrow Space
Conor Moroney
Moroney’s Footwear
(List correct at time of going to press, April 2013)
Staff Contact Details
CEO Brian Cleary T: 052 6191101
brian.cleary@clonmelchamber.com
County Jackie Ryan T: 052 61 91105
Tipperary skillnet@clonmelchamber.com
Skillnet Sabrina Guida T: 052 61 91103
Sabrina@clonmelchamber.com
Social Media Maggie O’Brien T: 052 61 91102
Skillnet Maggie@socialmediaskillnet.com
Administration Karen Walters T: 052 6126500
info@clonmelchamber.com
Ciara Kiely T; 052 6126500
admin@clonmelchamber.com
Contact Details
Clonmel Chamber Tel: 052 61 26500
8 Sarsfield Street Fax: 052 61 26378
Clonmel E-mail: info@clonmelchamber.com
Co.Tipperary Web: www.clonmelchamber.com
Twitter: @ClonmelChamber
President
Vice-Presidents
Council Members
CEO
County Tipperary Skillnet
Social Media Skillnet

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The 2013 National Enterprise Conference held in Clonmel
on Friday last saw a range of speakers provide advice on
how businesses can develop in the current climate. The
theme of the conference was ‘secrets of success’ and the
event attracted speakers from the UK and Ireland.
The event was hosted by Clonmel Chamber of Commerce
and it attracted a large attendance from across the country.
Jim Miley, CEO of The Gathering, spoke at length about
his personal experience of developing the internet startup
MyHome.ie as well as giving an insight into the development
of The Gathering initiative. He was also on hand to help
the Chamber launch their Gathering 2013 event. The event
will see up to eighty members of Cambridge Chamber in
Ontario come to County Tipperary to meet with members
of Clonmel Chamber. The September event will aim to
develop business opportunities in Canada for Clonmel
companies.
One of the most popular speakers on the day was Google
executive Cian O’Mongain who outlined how the tools
produced by his company can be used to increase revenue
and visibility in a very crowded marketplace. Dr. Sharon
O’Kane, Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of
Manchester spoke of her own personal experiences of
establishing a medical devices company, Renovo, and
bringing it to a stock exchange listing and then exiting the
company. Margaret O’Connor from Nenagh has won many
awards including an Ulster Bank Business Achiever Award.
She spoke about how her family business had developed
from a four person operation to being a nationwide
operation with almost two hundred employees in fifteen
locations. The final speaker on the day was the charismatic
Fred Karlsson from internet sensation DoneDeal.ie. He
spoke about how his business was developed by necessity
and how he had built it to being a website that is now
visited 450,000 a day.
Speaking after the conference Chamber CEO Brian Cleary
remarked on how positive the event was.
The National
Enterprise
Conference 2013
“One thing that struck me with every
single speaker today was how their
companies had all begun simply and
how they had all developed their
businesses by using a healthy mix of
data and gut instinct. The feedback
that we received was extremely
positive. The personal stories of those
on stage seem to have resonated with
our audience”

Contact Details:
Clonmel Chamber,
8 Sarsfield Street,
Clonmel,
Co. Tipperary.
Tel: 052 61 26500
e-mail: info@clonmelchamber.com
Web: www.clonmelchamber.com

Clonmel chamber

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