The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber offering Special Membership Introductory Offer
The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber is offering a Special Introductory Offer of only €95 for membership from now until June 1st 2012!
Maybe this is something you have been thinking about for a while, now there is no excuse to put it off any longer! For as little as €95, you could experience all the benefits ofDungarvan & West Waterford Chamber Membership;
·Invites to social and networking events throughout the year
·Invites to seminars, conferences and exhibitions
·Exclusive referrals to your business on enquiry
·Business seminars, conferences and training courses at reduced rates
·Regular email communication regarding opportunities for your business
·Regular email communication regarding local and national issues that may affect your business
·Free Listing on our website www.dungarvanchamber.ie
·Business Watch scheme
·Member to member discount scheme
·Free Advertising Initiative
·Participation in the (Year Round) Shopping Voucher Scheme, which kept over €146,000 revenue in the area in November & December 2011 alone!
·Certification of business documents for exportation
·Free recruitment adverts on the Chamber website
·Supplier Discounts; VHI & Hibernian Health
·Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber lobbying local, regional and national issues that relate to our business community Engaging - Representing - Influencing
**Taster members cannot receive Chamber Vouchers – this is for fully paid members only
There is no doubt that Chamber Membership would be a great and direct benefit to the your business. The Chamber broke records in 2011 and reached its highest ever amount of members! It is apparent that due to the number of benefits and services on offer to members and the opportunities to network with other members there are many advantages to Chamber membership particularly in this challenging environment. The Chamber has never offered as many services and opportunities to members in our mission to ‘Drive Business’.
Why not optimise your business opportunities and utilise all the resources and benefits available to your business? The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber is the prime representative forum of businesses in Dungarvan & West Waterford.
For further details about the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber please don’t hesitate to contact the office on tel; 058 45054 or email
Additional reasons to Join the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber
Lobbying – The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber is the voice for your business and all the business in the area, the Chamber lobbies local, regional and national issues in the interest of you and your business
Certificates of Exportation – If your business exports outside the European Union; theDungarvan & West Waterford Chamber can certify your documents for exportation.
Business Watch - A text alert system whereby within minutes, your business is updated of any antisocial behaviour, scams, forged notes that could affect you adversely.
Vouchers – Chamber Shopping Voucher can only be used within Chamber Member businesses. This kept over €175,000 in Dungarvan & West Waterford in 2010.
Business Referrals – The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber encourages members to do business with members.
Business Directory - Members receive free listing on the Chamber’s Business Directory www.dungarvanchamber.ie
Business Partnering – This is a free advertising initiative where chamber members are partnered and advertise in each others business for free.
Free Recruitment Adverts – The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber will advertise your recruitment advert for free on the Chambers’ website.
Secretarial Services – The Chamber offers secretarial and administrative support at great rates for members. Need an office address? Use ours, again, a great rate is offered to members for this service.
Event Management - Would you like to have an event for your business, but don’t want the hassle of organizing it? Then let the Chamber Team guarantee a professional service which includes promotion, organisation as well as tidy up afterwards!
The Chamber creates a better place to do business. It is the largest representative group for businesses, and it provides services for a broad spectrum of business sectors.
See ouractivities and event and the listing of our current members onwww.dungarvanchamber.ie
Review of 2011 in the Chamber
This was the year for record membership – finally reaching over 180 members with representations in Dungarvan, Lismore, Ardmore & Cappoquin and everywhere in between!
It is apparent that due to the number of benefits and services on offer to members and the opportunities to network with other members there are many advantages to Chamber membership, particularly in this challenging environment.
Simply, the services offered are of immense value to businesses, hence the increase and dramatic rise in membership.
Together we are a stronger and louder voice. The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber is the prime representative voice of businesses in Dungarvan & West Waterford.
Chamber Shopping Vouchers too broke sales records, we have documented sales of over €144,000 in November & December 2011 alone!
These vouchers; when purchased and spent locally, genuinely help the local economy and protects jobs. We thank you for your commitment, by purchasing vouchers you keep our towns in business. The Chamber Shopping Vouchers are for sale throughout the year and have increasingly become favoured Wedding Gifts, Birthday and thank you presents and staff bonus’. We say a special thanks to employers’ and individuals who purchased and used Chamber Vouchers.
2011 was another extremely busy year within the Chamber, starting with a Speed Networking Event in association with the Waterford County Enterprise Board.
Month by month there were social events, seminar, training courses and workshops.
Our Business Afterhours Hosts included; Waterford County Council, The Wine Buff, Nemeton with Comhlucht Forbartha na nDeise and a joint event where Eunice Power Cooking For You & The Country Store joined forces.
Other social events included the Tennis & Bowls evening , the Chamber Summer BBQ, The Golf Scramble, and the Chamber Christmas Punch Night. Our Chamber Ball & FBD Business Awards were also on the 2011 calendar, 5 awards (Sponsored by FBD) were presented with record numbers of applicants this year!
The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber joined up with Ulster Bank for an Economic Breakfast and with FDC Accountants for a post Budget Breakfast Anaylsis.
Seminars on offer were; Crime Prevention hosted in partnership with An Garda Siochana, also a Public Procurement Seminar hosted with the Waterford County Council and a HR Seminar hosted with Peninsula HR. The Chamber also brought to you a much valued Social Media Seminar.
Workshops in Social Media and Energy Cost Saving were run for members and non members.
There were other events the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber shared and promoted such as Waterford Festival of Food, the Southeast Storytelling Festival.
2011 was the year the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber organised and hosted the Waterford Adventure Race which was held in May. This successful event will go ahead again in 2012, with the aim to further attract sports tourism to the area. The Chamber invited Nationwide from RTE 1 to film the event in May, this can be seen on YouTube.
Our 2011 AGM was also the launch of our new Strategic Plan ‘Prosperity and Presence for Business 2011 – 2015’.
To promote actions identified in the Strategic Plan new ‘Teams’ have been put together headed by Chamber Directors in the areas of Revenue Generation, Tourism Development, Business Education Development, Maximising Strategic Relationships and Building Membership Value-added Benefits. We encourage and welcome members to get involved in these teams to further develop opportunities for their sector.
Chamber activities that were in large demand also included quarterly ‘Literature mail-outs’, where members get to supply flyers/ leaflets to other member businesses, business partnering, movie premieres.
Lobbying was a very strong Chamber activity. In fact we have a Team dedicated to this function. We lobby for a reduction in business rates, we also lobby on your behalf to keep and attract business and industry to the area. The development of the Primary Health Care Unit is a project the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber is very much in favour of. The Chamber has loudly spoken out against the amalgamation of the Waterford County and City Councils.
The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber has made representations regarding the Dungarvan Town Development Plan 2012 – 2018. Also the Chamber highlighted the lack of RTE’s presence for the Sean Kelly Tour which brought in excess of 4000 participants to the area.
The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber has lobbied to have Community Employment Schemes increased, following a threat of a decrease in the recent budget. The Chamber too, is very much in favour of a University for the South East and will continue to lobby for this.
Keeping business local is a strong message from the Chamber which was delivered regularly through various media. Including when the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber invited RTE’s 4Live Show (presented by Maura Derrane) to Dungarvan to feature Dungarvan’s fashions offerings.
The Chamber is not resting and will continue the positive growth and increase in services throughout 2012.
If you are a member and think there are more benefits to be gained by your membership, or if you have yet to become a member and wish to discuss what your business will gain from being part of this dynamic movement; don’t hesitate to contact the Chamber office on 058 45054 or email . The chamber website is www.dungarvanchamber.ie or join us on facebook to keep abreast of upcoming events & activities on www.facebook.comDungarvan & West WaterfordChamber Page.
Are you Advertising Your Business & Building Associations with Chamber Vouchers?
If you are advertising your services and goods, it may be a good idea to remind customers you accept Chamber Vouchers…. If you would like a copy of our logo for inclusion in your adverts/ marketing material please let the office know and we can furnish you with same.
This will encourage the association people have between your business, and the acceptance of Chamber Vouchers.
Photos On Facebook
Photos taken at Chamber events are posted on the Chamber Facebook page.
Log on towww.Facebook.comDungarvan & West Waterford Chamber page – you never know – you may be on it!
Upcoming 2012 Events
See Events Calendar on left of screen for more details
Why Join The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber ? FAQ’S
What Does the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber Do?;
The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber is the largest business network in West Waterford, Its main function is to connect businesses together, improving prosperity and business opportunities within the region.
The Chamber provides a variety of services to Retail, Industrial, Service, and Professional businesses all over West Waterford. The Chamber represents members and their interests at local, regional and national levels.
It is the prime representative voice of businesses in Dungarvan & West Waterford and the sole recognised business representative when negotiating with the Town & County Council.The Chamber is involved in many forums and joint committees with local authorities, development agencies and neighbouring Chambers to ensure representation on key decision making and to build strong collaborative working partnerships.
What’s in it for me and my business?
Networking
Being part of Dungarvan and West Waterford’s biggest business network, provides members with easy access to other members and their networks. Networking is essential to maintain client relationships, and build new ones. The Chamber hosts up to 20 events per year that include business showcasing events, information seminars, sports events, training courses, social events, and awards ceremonies, all of which are designed to encourage and promote active networking.
B2B
We introduce you to your target audience. If there are members who you would like to meet we will do the introductions. And when enquiries for a business or service come through the office you will be referred to if you are a member.
Profile
There are many PR opportunities within the Chamber’s calendar of events. As a member you will be listed on the Chamber website & Business Directory, monthly member company profiles are sent to other members and by attending the many events held your photo may be featured on the local or regional news papers along with our Chamber facebook page.
Informed
The continual flow of information from the Chamber will keep you updated on all local, regional and national issues, and we will keep you abreast of opportunities that could bring you new business and you will find out what other members are doing to achieve success.
Where Does The Chamber Get its Funding?
The Chamber is primarily funded by membership subscriptions. We also generate income from event management fees, and the administration services on offer to local business.
The Chamber is not funded by any government departments or County or Town Councils. The Chamber is affiliated to Chambers Ireland and pays Chambers Ireland for this privilege.
The Chamber relies on sponsorship for our offices from Clancy Construction at the Dungarvan Shopping Centre to whom we very grateful.
What Opportunities are there for my business?
Vouchers – Chamber Shopping Voucher can only be used within Chamber Member businesses. This kept over €175,000 in Dungarvan & West Waterford in 2010.
Business Watch - A text alert system whereby within minutes, your business is updated of any crime, antisocial behaviour, scams, forged notes experienced by businesses in the locality and region.
Lobbying – The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber is the voice for your business,lobbying on local, regional and national issues in the interest of you and your business. Examples; Commercial Rates, Parking, Christmas Lights.
Business Referrals – The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber encourages members to do business with fellow members.
Business Directory- Members receive free listing on the Chamber’s Business Directorywww.dungarvanchamber.ie
Business Partnering – This is a free advertising initiative where chamber members are partnered and advertise in each others business for free.
Free Recruitment Adverts – The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber will advertise your recruitment advert for free on the Chambers’ website.
Secretarial Services – The Chamber offers secretarial and administrative support at great rates for members. Need an office address? Use ours, again, a great rate is offered to members for this service.
Event Management - Would you like to have an event for your business, but don’t want the hassle of organizing it?Then let the Chamber Team guarantee a professional service which includes promotion, organisation as well as tidy up afterwards!
Certificates of Exportation – If your business exports outside the European Union; the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber can certify your documents for exportation.
Business Afterhours Host - The opportunity to co-host an event on your premises to showcase what you offer.
The Chamber creates a better place to do business. It is the largest representative group for businesses, and it provides services for a broad spectrum of business sectors.
Why Should I Join The Chamber?
Join the Chamber to be included, informed, invited and represented!
Included – Be included in a dynamic business support group
Informed – It’s important to have relevant information relating to your business as it happens. We provide this for you.
Invited – The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber runs many events of all kinds throughout the year you may like to attend to raise your profile, enjoy and network. Be on our invitation list!
Represented- Issues will affect your business. The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber will represent your issues locally, regionally and nationally. Together we are stronger!
Who Can Join?
Any business can join. There is no limit of numbers of staff, size of business, type of business. There is no criteria about where you work from; it could be your home/ in an office/ industrial unit/ car etc. In 2010, 40 new members joined the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber.
Who Else is in The Chamber?
The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber membership boasts a wide geographic and sectoral interest. Businesses from Dungarvan, Cappoquin, Lismore,Ardmore an in-between are benefiting from membership. Those in services, retail, industrial and professions are involved in the Chamber as the reasons to join for each sector is compelling. For a full listing of members see; http://www.dungarvanchamber.ie/content/section/5/35/
