The popular annual budget breakfast briefing took place in the Sligo Park Hotel on Thursday 8th December.  The event was organised by Sligo Chamber, Sligo Euro Info Centre in association with the western society of chartered accountants.  It involves a complete analysis of the 2006 budget.  Guest speakers at the event were Martin Coggins of Coggins & Co and Ken McMoreland of Gilroy Gannon. 

Martin Coggins (Coggins & Co), Ann Clinton

(Chamber President) and Ken McMoreland

(Gilroy Gannon.)

On Monday 5th December the European Commissions b2europe initiative was launched by Marian Harkin MEP bringing together business support organisations in the Northwest region.  The launch took place in the Sligo City Hotel.  b2europe is an integral part of the European Commission’s policy to help with the creation, innovation and development of Europe’s SMEs, recognising them as the backbone of  Europe’s economy. It brings together business support organisations encouraging them to work together on future initiatives, sharing of resources etc.

This initiative will help dispel any confusion among SMEs of where to turn to for assistance in their region. The new regional b2europe alliances will generate a better understanding between regional business support actors, and leverage their services more fully to the benefit of local companies through increased co-operation, sharing of experiences, information and good practice examples, and better targeted referral of clients. 

The northwest region of Ireland is part of the first wave of 16 regions to sign up to b2europe.  The business support organsiations involved include Sligo EIC, the IRC, WESTBIC, Sligo Chamber of Commerce, Sligo County Enterprise Board, Leitrim County Enterprise Board, Donegal County Enterprise Board, Boyle Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Ireland, FAS- services to business and Sligo Leader partnershiip who collectively signed a Charter that commits them in partnership to a Code of Conduct guaranteeing highly professional services and full transparency.

Sligo’s Shopping Sellabration was officially launched by local rock star, Tabby in the presence of Mayor of Sligo, Cllr. Rosaleen O’Grady and President of Sligo Chamber, Ann Clinton.  The Shopping Sellabration will run from Wednesday, October 19th through to Saturday, November 5th inclusive.  This year, Sligo Chamber of Commerce have teamed up with McCormacks Car Sales Ltd, the Sligo Champion, and the Quayside Shopping Centre who are jointly sponsoring the event.  Ocean FM are adding to the fun by doing an outside broadcast on Friday 28th with lots of chat, music and games for shoppers.

List of participating stores can be downloaded here

Sligo Shopping Spree Launch

Pictured (L to R); Laura Murray (Quayside), Henry Burns (Chairperson, Retail Project Team), Ann Clinton (President Sligo Chamber), Michael Townsend (Sligo Champion); Tabby, Rosaleen O'Grady (Mayor of Sligo), Niall Delaney (Ocean FM)

Missing from picture: John McCormack - McCormack car sales.

Sligo Chamber of Commerce & Industrys AGM 2005 took place in the Clarion Hotel on Thursday 26th May.  A large number of members were in attendance to see the chain of office handed over from Louis Doherty (outgoing President) to the Chambers first ever female president, Ann Clinton.  Speeches were made by the outgoing and incoming Presidents.  Ann highlighted that as the first woman to hold the Presidency she would like to work with women in business seminars and also has already invited President Mary McAleese to our Annual Dinner next year. Our guest speaker for the evening was Jim Hoey of IBEC and managing director of Masonite Ireland.

To download his speech click here.  There was a cheese and wine reception courtesy of the Clarion Hotel hotel afterwards.

Mr. Louis Doherty outgoing President handing

over the chain of office to incoming president, Ann Clinton.