President’s Blog – Follow the Numbers
Hello Members, in this week’s Blog, we take a journey through some numbers and statistics relevant to the Team at Sligo Chamber as we conduct our business on behalf of our members at local, regional, national and European levels.
20 million members in 45 countries – EUROCHAMBRES is the European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and represents the interests of more than 20 million member enterprises in 45 European countries through a network of national, regional and local Chambers. As part of its remit representing the interests of Irish business, Chambers Ireland works closely with EUROCHAMBRES to promote a stable, pro-trade and business friendly environment for member firms. Sligo Chamber is affiliated to EUROCHAMBRES through Chambers Ireland.
42 accredited Chambers with 8,000 business members – Chambers Ireland has 42 accredited Chambers located across the country representing the business interests of some 8,000 member firms. Sligo Chamber is one of those accredited Chambers and also rates highly as being one of the most active Chambers in the country.
80 per cent of total employment – SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) throughout Ireland collectively constitute the biggest employers across the country, accounting for 80 per cent of total employment in the Irish economy. SMEs make up the majority of Chamber membership across Ireland.
300 businesses employing over 7,000 people – Sligo Chamber has over 300 member firms drawn from the business community in the North West who employ over 7,000 people. Numbers on this scale gives Sligo Chamber a strong voice when representing the business community at local, regional and national level.
400,000 people by 2040 with Sligo at the core – Our vision in Sligo Chamber is that by the year 2040, Sligo will be a major regional centre in Ireland serving a population of 400,000 and driving regional and rural growth. We have a vision where Sligo will be the central hub of a region that is fully sustainable and where our children can live, work and thrive in an environment that is safe, community led and offers real quality of life.
1,800 new jobs – The number of new jobs announced in Sligo since Sligo attained growth centre status in February 2018 by companies including Abbott, Abtran, AbbVie, Eir, E3 Retail, GW Plastics, Overstock, Live Tiles & ASG.
200,000 hits – At last count, the Sligo Chamber mini-film “Life is for Living – Life is Sligo” has totalled over 200,000 hits This tremendously successful mini-film, which has been shortlisted for Story Lab for the prestigious Public Relations Consultants Awards, is being used by Sligo Chamber member firms and by our partners in the IDA to successfully market Sligo to companies and potential employees.
250 training events– The number of training events delivered by Sligo Chamber Skillnet in 2018 totalled 250. This included the highly successful Project Management course delivered through the Irish Management Institute, a course which attracts a Level 8 award. Sligo Chamber plans to run this Level 8 Project Management Course again this year, starting in September.
42 Presidents since 1923 – Sligo Chamber of Commerce and Industry had its first President, H. Campbell Perry in 1923. Since foundation, Sligo Chamber has had 42 Presidents.
Increase in Awards from 4 to 5 on November 10 – The Sligo Chamber Excellence Awards in conjunction with Ocean FM will be held on Friday, November 10, 2019 in the Sligo Park Hotel. This year sees the number of awards categories increased from 4 to 5. Details of the award categories will be announced at a launch later in June.
Finally, And then there were 3 – Not the acclaimed Genesis Album from the late seventies! Rather the core team at Sligo Chamber, our CEO Aidan Doyle, Events Manager Mary Harty, and Skillnet Manager Geraldine Courtenay. The Team that is delivering every day for Sligo and for our member firms through advocating, communication and educating.
That’s it for another week. Hope you enjoyed our brief journey through some of the numbers that go to make up Sligo Chamber.
Until next time
Life is for Living – #Life is Sligo.
Conor McCarthy
President Sligo Chamber