Big rise in Mullingar Chamber membership in 2021, says president

Mullingar Chamber of Commerce has greatly expanded its membership in 2021, chamber president John Geoghegan told a meeting of Westmeath County Council’s enterprise and tourism policy committee on Friday last.

Mr Geoghegan said the chamber had grown from 120 members to almost 190 so far this year, representing an increase of more than 50%.

“That has taken a lot of time and energy from everybody concerned,” he said. “We have also significantly improved our relationship with Westmeath County Council. There’s a direct dialogue there which is really top class and a credit to the executive.”

In a summary of some of the chamber’s work, he said there were plans to bring the WinterFest event back to the town towards the end of this year.

Mr Geoghegan also said council funding of €17,000 was in place for the promotion of the leisure and hospitality sectors during their post-lockdown reopening, and the majority of that has not yet been spent.

He said there would be a focus on the digital promotion of the chamber’s #WeAreMullingar marketing slogan.

“We have only spent €2,500 so far on ‘We Are Mullingar’ marketing materials, so we have the balance of that to spend on promoting leisure and hospitality before the end of the year,” he said.

Budget Networking Breakfast Briefing

The Mullingar Chamber Budget Networking Breakfast Briefing returns this year, on Wednesday October 13, in the Annebrook House Hotel.

The event is sponsored by Jigsaw Better Business and the guest speakers from Stephens Cooke and Associates will give a comprehensive technical analysis of Budget 2022 and what it means for local business.

In line with Covid-19, all attendees are required to be fully vaccinated, and there is a maximum capacity of 60 people allowed in the venue, so early booking is important.

If attendees have business cards or promo material or merchandise they would like to have included in the sponsor bags, drop them to the Mullingar Chamber office on the Market Square before the event.

Aisling Coleman, office manger at the chamber, said: “As we cannot network in the way we could before, this will allow a greater chance of ensuring your business gets in front of the rest of the business community.”

Telephone us on 044 9344044 or email office@mullingarchamber.ie to reserve your place: €10 for members; €20 for non-members; timetable – 7.45am registration; 8am breakfast; 8.15am presentation and Q&A; 9.15am finish.