The Galway Chamber Business Awards 2009 were presented at a gala President’s Dinner in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill on Thursday night. Sponsored by Vhi Healthcare the awards celebrated excellence among Galway Chamber member companies. 320 attendees including Mayor of Galway Councillor Declan McDonnell, celebrated with the nominees in each of the eight categories.

 President of Galway Chamber Paul Shelly, in his address to guests on the night said  that for the past 200 years Galway Chamber has been part of the fabric of commercial life in this city:

‘Through good times and bad we have supported business and lobbied for the betterment of business in Galway. The way we do that may have changed but the issues on which we lobby remain the same.

Galway Chamber’s mission statement is ‘to make Galway the leading location for business, investment and people’. We will only succeed in this if we are united in purpose, take on the challenges, support our jobs and act to implement a shared vision for our city.’

 Speaking on behalf of Vhi Healthcare, main sponsors, Tom Brennan Regional Manager, Connaught said:
‘Vhi  Healthcare is delighted to be involved with Galway Chamber in recognising the achievement of excellence within the Galway business community.  I’m particularly pleased that the Awards this year include a new category – Corporate Social Responsibility – which recognises the efforts made by businesses to improve the quality of life here in Galway through sustainable and community-friendly business practices’.

The after dinner speaker was John Concannon, Director of Regional Development, Failte Ireland who spoke of the Volvo Stopover in Galway, its implications for tourism and its legacy. He also shared a stirring DVD of clips from the coverage of the stopover in Galway.

Traditional music set the scene for the event on the terrace of the Galway Bay Hotel and the formalities were followed by entertainment with The Timbertramps.

The Winners

The Eight Category winners announced at the Galway Chamber Business Awards in association with Vhi Healthcare were:

Enterprise & Innovation
Sponsored by RDJ Glynn Solicitors
iRadio represented by Rena Maycock

Customer Service
Sponsored by Galway Airport
Glenlo Abbey represented by Brian Bourke

Arts/Culture/Sport
Sponsored by Failte Ireland
Galway Arts Centre and Cúirt represented by Craig Stephens

Environment
Sponsored by Galway City Council
Thermo King represented by Tim Folan

Small & Medium Enterprises
Sponsored by Galway City Tribune
Lynx Transport & Logistics represented by Enda McDonnell

Marketing
Sponsored by Discover Galway
Galway Airport represented by Joe Walsh

eBusiness
Sponsored by the Galway Technology Centre and eGalway
Anthony Ryan’s Homestore represented by Anthony Ryan and Kevin Murray

Corporate Social Responsibility
Sponsored by the Irish Greyhound Board
Boston Scientific represented by Siobhan Kearney Casey

The Overall Winner

And the overall winner on the night was Lynx Transport and Logistics. The overall award was accepted by a delighted Enda McDonnell, Company Operations Manager from President Paul Shelly and Tony McSweeny, Director of Individual and Corporate Business Vhi Healthcare, main sponsors of the Galway Chamber Business Awards.

Lynx Transport was established as a two man delivery service between Galway and Dublin in 1985 and has expanded into one of the leading supply chain specialists in Ireland. Lynx Logistics set up in 1997 and with the establishment of Palltrans Ltd in 2004 gives Lynx customers access to 250 vehicles on the island of Ireland. 25 years on, Lynx uses the newest web based technology to offer clients state of the art transport and logistics.

Read Previous News Items in our archive.

At a meeting with Galway City Council's Corporate Policy Group, Galway Chamber of Commerce called on the councillors and the City Manager not to increase Commercial Rates in the upcoming Council Budget. With many businesses struggling during this current economic slowdown, the Chamber urged the City Council to put jobs first.

At the meeting the Chamber learned that many ratepayers have yet to fully pay their rates bill for 2007 and this, the Chamber believes, is an indicator of cash flow and profit problems.

The Chamber was critical of the Government's decision to reduce the funding provided by local Authorities, by Government, by 7%, while the decision to increase VAT to 21.5% from december 1st will act as a further disincentive to people to spend. Yesterday's decision by the UK Government to reduce VAT by 2.5% will further exacerbate the problem of people from the Republic of Ireland travelling to the North to do their pre-Christmas Shopping. In the run up to Christmas, Galway Chamber will urge everyone to 'Sp€ nd Christmas in Galway' which was launched by Mayor Padraig Conneely last Monday.

'It is time Galway City Council recognised the difficult business conditions that face Galway businesses' according to Chamber Chief Executive Michael Coyle. 'Consumer conficence is low leading to sever cash flow problems, suppliers are seeking earlier settlement on invoices as they too experience cashflow difficulties while the banks are reacting to deteriorating business trends by retricting flexibility on overdraft limits. Add to this the additional charges and levies introduced by Government in the recentbudget and high rental lebiels in the retail sector and you have a recipe for business closures and job losses' he said.

Chamber President, Paul Shelly added: 'Ratepayers in Galway currently contribute € 30 million in Commercial Rates to Galway City Council's funding and a further € 2.75 million in Water Charges and other business levies. Businesses can no longer absorb increases in these charges and to stay in business they will seek to reduce costa by implementing pay freezes and cutting jobs. The City Council must protect jobs in Galway by examining closely every euro of cost it spends and where possible implement initiatives that will reduce the burden of charges on business at this time'

Resolve HR - Atlantic House, 39 Prospect Hill, Galway  - www.resolvehr.ie

Transcribe - Main Street, Kinvara, Co. Galway - www.transcribe.ie

Talent Tank - 3 Merchant's Gate, Galway - www.talenttank.ie

Bridge Media - The Granary Suits, Granary Halls, Dominick Street Lower, Galway - www.bridgemedia.ie

Servisource Recruitment - Office 2, Office Space, Liosban Business Park, Tuam Road, Galway - www.servisource.ie

Louis Copeland - Merchant's Road, Galway - www.louiscopeland.ie 

Official Opening of Evergreen Healthfood's Mainguard Street.

Chamber members are invited to attend the official opening of Evergreen Healthfood's Mainguard Street store this Thursday 9th April at 10.30am.

Special guest on the day will be Naturopath Prof. Jan de Vries who is the author of many natural health books and appears regularly on RTE's Afternoon show. Join us on the day and have a free appointment with Mr de Vires from 10.30-12.30. But it doesnt stop there, because there will be representatives from your favourite brands and free massage and natural make up appointments as well as competitions and free samples in the afternoon.

Aideen & Kieran Hurley look forward to welcoming you on the day!

Rape Crisis Centre 25 Years Established

Galway Rape Crisis Centre, the largest centre in Rape Crisis Network Ireland, is this year celebrating 25 years since its establishment. To mark our 25th anniversary, we will be arranging a number of events varying from contributing to research and publications, promoting awareness through education to hosting a national conference. These events aim to continue to highlight the work and need of GRCC as well as to extend a show of gratitude to the local Galway community, young and old, who have been vital in maintaining the centre's services.

Over a quarter of a century, we have witnessed and influenced many changes in Irish society with regard to issues of rape and sexual abuse inflicted upon men, women and children.  Following the integration of the Male Abuse Survivors Centre with the GRCC in 2006, we now provide a counselling service for male clients. Another first for GRCC- we are currently preparing for the opening of the west of Ireland's first Sexual Assault Treatment Unit.

However, though it is apparent that attitudes, policy and practice with regard to victims, perpetrators, and rape and sexual abuse in Ireland have rapidly transformed since 1984, the reality is that adequate change has not yet been achieved. 
We will continue to lobby with the consistent support from the Galway people, as illustrated by their 25 years of strong support for us.

For additional information contact Kay Tighe 087 6816398, www.galwayrcc.org

Connemara Coast Hotel celebrated at Fáilte Irelands Optimus Awards

The  Connemara  Coast  Hotel is  proud  to  announce   that  both  the  hotel  and  its  employees  have  been  recognised  by the Optimus Mark of Best Practise Award.  It was presented to General Manager Ann Downey and Deputy General Manager, Anne Delany at the recent awards ceremony in The Brehon Hotel in Killarney.  It is the second time the hotel has been honoured with the award which is developed by Fáilte Ireland.

Optimus is an innovative, multi-tiered programme supporting the tourism industry and allowing businesses to achieve excellence at every point from customer care to operational management.  This impressive award shows consistency and hard work which the staff and management undertook to achieve the award while also developing The Connemara Coast Hotel as a leader in the hospitality industry today.

Commenting on the award, General Manager Ann Downey said “We are delighted to receive this award.   It is a welcome recognition of our commitment at the Connemara Coast Hotel providing guests with the highest standards of professional service, hotel facilities and amenities which invariably exceed their expectations. Our policy is to constantly re-invest in both our people and product ensuring our guests are well cared for and to chosen as a first choice be it for overnight accommodation, meetings or events”

The Optimus programme is a national quality standard for the Irish tourism industry. The aim is to help tourism establishments achieve excellence in every aspect of their business by providing a practical approach to improving business and customer service.

 Speaking at the awards, Aidan Pender, Director of Policy and Industry Development at Fáilte Ireland stressed the significance of Optimus in the current trading conditions.  He stated “The focus is even more vital now because of the changing economic and trading environment at home and internationally.  Results to date clearly demonstrate that optimus works on a number of fronts in raising quality standards and improving operational effectiveness and ultimately profitability.”

If you are not adequately insured in the event of making a claim then you will face a shortfall in the claim settlement, which could have a disastrous impact on your business.

A Value at Risk Survey is a professionally compiled report that provides a detailed overview covering buildings, machinery, fixtures and fittings, computer equipment, stock and business interruption cover. The survey allows you to review the adequacy of your insurance cover and adjust accordingly to ensure that full cover is provided for, thus avoiding underinsurance.

Galway Chamber member company, Clearys Loss Assessors & Insurance Services can survey and report with all calculations, specifications and basis of arriving at a figure following the policy schedule headings. The report and figures will be clear and concise and easy to follow. At next renewal the report and its figures may be easily updated for the next 12 months insurance cover.

For further information callsave 1850 281850 or email info@clearys.ie  

Galways Newest Cosmetic Department

Some of the worlds leading Cosmetic and Fragrance brands have opened counters at University Late Night Pharmacy opposite University College Hospital. The newly refurbished pharmacy now offers a complete range of beauty brands such as Lancome, Clarins, Biotherm, Armani, Chanel, Viktor & Rolph, Elizabeth Arden, Calvin Klein and countless more.

Speaking before the opening, Dr. Audrey Kinahan of University late Night Pharmacy said "We have completely redesigned and refurbished our pharmacy and are delighted to be able to offer our customers a choice of leading cosmetic and fragrance brands such as Lancome, Clarins and Biotherm." According to Audrey the move is in response to customer demand for these brands. "Customers are very brand conscious and brand loyal and our aim is to offer our customers the brands they want in a convienient location with long opening hours and expert staff."

Contact 520115