Chamber of Tourism & Commerce

• Chamber of Tourism & Commerce | 
• Members in Industry & Services | 
• Members in Retail | 
• Members in Commercial & Services | 
• Members in Construction & Services | 
• Members in Accommodation | 
• Members in Dining | 
• Members in Activities | 
• Members in Touring, Culture & Attractions

Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce
Promoting tourism, enterprise and commerce in Killarney.
Welcome to the Website of Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce.
As Ireland's premier tourism destination and the home of some long established industrial and commercial operations, Killarney requires a strong voice across all of the sectors and this voice is best provided by a vibrant and cohesive Chamber of Commerce - or in the case of Killarney a Chamber of Tourism & Commerce. Below we give a brief history and overview of Killarney Chamber that we hope you will find interesting. In addition to the current Chamber News facility you will also find PDF's of the latest Chamber newsletter "Lakeside Links" as well as a copy of our most recent Annual Activity Report for the last full year.
Should you require any further information on Killarney Chamber or if you are interested in becoming a member, please feel free to contact us via this website or through our office contact details below.

Tom Randles
President Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce


OUR MISSION STATEMENT
"Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce will actively promote and develop tourism, commerce and enterprise in the greater Killarney area for the benefit of its members, the local community and visitors to Killarney. In so doing, the Chamber will represent the collective interests of members in all matters directly relating to its core activities"

A BRIEF HISTORY
Over many decades Killarney's commercial sector has been well served by various organisations. Some having fulfilled their purpose ceased to exist, others evolved into new organisations with a diverse set of interests and objectives. In 1955 The Killarney Tourist Development Company Limited was formed to promote Killarney's tourism industry. In turn this gave rise to the formation of the Co-ordinating Committee of Killarney Tourist Industry, which included among its many achievements the successful hosting of the National Food Wine & Catering Exhibition throughout the sixties.
In 1968 the Killarney Chamber of Commerce was founded and was reconstituted in 1975. This became the primary body representing the commercial sector in Killarney and to some extent it reflected the increasing role played by non-tourism industrial business in the local economy during the sixties and seventies.

In 1994, following a decade of significant investment in tourism infrastructure in the Killarney valley, some of the key operators in the tourism industry combined to form a new tourism promotion organisation - Killarney Lakes Marketing (t/a Killarney of the Welcomes). The exclusive focus of this body was to increase the value of tourism revenue through the active marketing of Killarney at home & overseas as a visitor destination of first choice.

In 2002/2003, driven primarily by members that were common to both organisations and, motivated by the recognition that in Killarney in particular, "tourism & commerce" are inextricably linked throughout almost every sector and profession, it was decided to merge both organisations into one i.e., Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership of a large, multi-sector business organisation representing most of the major business units in Killarney town and valley.

Having the commercial interests of Killarney appropriately represented in dealings with local government and state agencies, - including such matters as Local and Regional Infrastructure, Development Strategies, Business Rates, etc.

A voice in matters that impact upon the commercial life of Killarney and an opportunity to effect change.

Having Killarney effectively promoted at home and overseas as a visitor destination of choice.

Promoting and hosting visits to Killarney by tourism travel trade and media.

Active participation in the development of innovative concepts and projects e.g., Kerry Airport, KATE (Information Age Town Finalist), Killarney Technology Innovation Centre, Killarney 250, Killarney Training Network, Christmas in Killarney Festival, Killarney History & Heritage, Cairde Chill Airne, Walk Killarney 2006, Tourism Product Development (in association with Failte Ireland and WIT).

Access to Killarney Chamber's full Killarney Business Listing.

Opportunity to network in a structured way with other Chamber members on a bi-monthly basis at the Killarney Chamber Networking and Charity Soup & Roll Lunch and, on other occasions as topics and issues dictate the need for full membership meetings.

Opportunity to network with other Chambers in the county/region.

Opportunity to serve on topic/task specific committees and as a Chamber Council Member, become a business community leader.

CHAMBER ORGANISATION - COUNCIL STRUCTURE.

The Executive Council Sector Representatives (Minimum 15) are elected by their Sector Members at the AGM, and serve for one year (subject to no change being required by the vote of an EGM of the Chamber).

Sector representation on the Executive Council of Chamber is as follows:
Hotel Sector = 4
Other Tourism (e.g., Accom./Food/Service/Attractions) = 2
Retail Sector = 2
Professional Sector = 2
Vintners = 2
Industry Sector = 2
Construction Industry & Associated Sectors = 1
Others = As Decided By Council Total = 15 (min).

Council Sector Representatives can nominate 'Alternates' to attend in their absence.

The Chamber President and Vice-President are elected by the Executive Council at the first Council meeting immediately after each Chamber AGM.

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

Membership Category 1A:
E.G. - Very Small Scale Service Provider - Consumer or Trade.

Membership Category 1:
E.G. - Small Scale (+) Professional / Single Site Retailer & Service Provider .

Membership Category 2:
E.G. - Medium Scale (+) - Retailer / Service Provider or Industry .

Membership Category 3:
E.G. - Large Scale - Retailer / Financial Institutions / Service Provider or Industry.

Membership Category 4:
E.G. - Very Large Scale Operation in any Sector including multi-site / multi-faceted business.

Special Categories 1/2/3/4:
E.G. - Operations which are non-profit or community based/supported, Operations with a focused tourism marketing brief, - Pay Chamber Dues Only - at the rate appropriate to operation size.

NB:
The Definition & Application of Membership Categories are reviewed periodically by a finance sub-committee of Chamber, - established for that purpose.


COST OF MEMBERSHIP

The Chamber Membership Year runs from January to December inclusive.

Most Categories of Chamber Membership attract two separate charges, i.e. Chamber Dues and Destination Marketing Fees.

Details of Dues & Marketing Fees are included in the Membership Application Pack.

Chamber Dues do not attract Vat and are used to cover the cost of Chamber Administration.

The Destination Marketing Fee does attract Vat at 21% and is used to fund Chamber’s Destination Marketing & Promotion activities at home and overseas on behalf of its Members.

Both the Chamber Dues and the Destination Marketing Fees are valid business expenses which can be offset against income and if a member is Vat Registered, they can reclaim the Vat on the Destination Marketing Fee.

Members can pay by Cash, Cheque or by Direct Debit.

Should they wish, members can arrange to pay by Direct Debit on a twice yearly basis i.e., March and August.

Members who opt to pay in full by Direct Debit by March 17th in anyMembership Year can avail of a 10% Discount.

New Members receive a 40% discount in the first year and those opting to pay by Direct Debit receive a 50% discount in the first year.

DESTINATION MARKETING

Dealing specifically with Tourism: - With Killarney's unparalleled investment in providing high quality visitor facilities from accommodation and hospitality to activities and entertainment, it is essential that Killarney is effectively promoted at home and overseas.

Whether your business is a Corner Shop or Supermarket, B&B or Hotel, Pub or Nightclub, Bistro or Restaurant, Professional Services or Trade, Transport or Touring, indeed almost any commercial activity in Killarney, your turnover is almost certainly influenced by tourism. Your business may not deal directly with many tourists but for sure, many of your customers and clients work in or for the tourism industry - so its future is your future

Dedicated marketing funding is required to enable the Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce to effectively participate in selected Domestic and Overseas Promotions and in targeted Media Advertising. We also receive welcome support from other bodies such as Failte Ireland, Killarney Town Council and Kerry County Council.

In addition to the Annual Chamber Membership Dues, most Chamber Members are also asked to pay a Destination Marketing Fee (previously paid only by Killarney Lakes marketing Members) to enable Chamber to carry out its Marketing activities on behalf of all of its members.

CHAMBER'S ROLE IN THE WIDER KILLARNEY & KERRY COMMUNITY

Chamber works in partnership with other trade and professional bodies in the Killarney business community.

Chamber works jointly with Tralee Chamber and other County Chambers in pursuing objectives which will benefit the County as a whole.

Chamber works in partnership with Killarney's Local Authority and through this partnership it seeks to promote an effective and mutually beneficial process of communication between its membership and Killarney Town Council. Chamber pursues the same objectives in its relationship with Kerry County Council.

Fund raising for charitable good causes is a role filled very effectively by other voluntary bodies in Killarney. For its part, Killarney Chamber does on occasions support some such causes either from its general funds or from funds generated by the bi-monthly Killarney Chamber Networking and Charity Soup & Roll Lunch.

KTN - KILLARNEY TRAINING NETWORK
Killarney Chamber provides full administration services for the Killarney Training Network.

KTN Skillnet currently has 86 members from across industry sectors, including retail, hospitality, professional services, manufacturing etc.

Our main aim is to provide member companies with training and networking that benefits themselves, their employees and most of all the success of their businesses. We very much listen to our members needs and provide training and networking that they want and need!

KTN Skillnet is very much a vibrant and busy network of businesses and our focus is not just on formal training but also on the valuable learning and sharing of information that takes place informally through our seminars and networking events.
All of our programmes take place locally which makes us very accessible to members and we engage with top class speakers and trainers. For information on KTN, please contact Oonagh at +353 (0)64 6637928 / 6636622, Fax: +353 (0)64 6636623, Email: oonagh@ktn.ie. Or log onto website at www.ktn.ie

J0INING CHAMBER

Joining is easy. Just contact us for an Application Form. We will then confirm your Membership Category and ask you to complete a Direct Debit Mandate for your Annual Dues and Fees. You will be introduced at the next Members Meeting/Lunch and your business details will be added to the Chamber Directory.

CHAMBER CONTACTS

Chambers Office is on the 2nd floor of the Tourist Information Office - enter via the side door facing the main car-park.

Staff:
Jerry O'Grady - Chamber Executive - jerry@killarney.ie

Oonagh McGregor - Chamber Admin & KTN - oonagh@killarney.ie

Rhona Buckley - Chamber Admin & Accounts - rhona@killarney.ie

Company Reg No: 72296 / Vat Reg No: IE 4515900S

Chamber Newsletter

Click here to view the most recent chamber newsletter.

Contact Information

Address: Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce, 2nd Level, Tourist Information Office, Beech Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry.
Tel: 064 66 37928 - Fax: 064 66 36623 - Web: www.killarney.ie