Image: Eamonn Keogh
SEVERAL business interests in Killarney, who meet on a regular basis to help and support to each other and to generate new customers, is this week reflecting on 15 years of great progress.
Business Networking International, a nationwide organisation established to focus on business referrals between smaller companies and sole traders, was initiated close on 30 years ago and the Killarney chapter was set up in 1999.
Members estimate that close on €1 million worth of businesses has been generated for the town in the past year alone through referrals and recommendations.
The Killarney group holds a 7.00am breakfast meeting in the Malton Hotel every Thursday morning and a set agenda is discussed for up to 90 minutes before the individual members set off on to carry out their day’s work.
Members benefit by being linked to a wider organisation and Business Networking International can be particularly beneficial to sole traders who can lean on other businesses for support and to help share contacts and spread the word that can help to promote the individual trades or services they offer.
The group held a 15th birthday celebration at the Malton Hotel last weekend and two founder members, Donie Moynihan and Anne Hannan, who are still actively involved, were honoured for their commitment to the cause.
They were presented with special pins to mark a decade and a half of service and the ceremony was attended by BNI executive director Sandra Hart and area director Dan Cronin.
