Chamber to Toast 230 Years at Titanic Celebration
Celebrating the 230th Anniversary of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce ahead of tonight’s Chamber230 Gala event are (L-R) Brenda Morgan, bmi Sales Manager Ireland with NI Chamber President Francis Martin and Chief Executive Ann McGregor.
Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce will toast its 230th Anniversary this evening at a celebration gala ball at Titanic Belfast – the first business event of its kind in the new iconic landmark building. Over 750 business leaders from across Northern Ireland – including Secretary of State Owen Paterson and several government ministers - are expected to gather for the Chamber230 Gala event.
Northern Ireland Chamber has confirmed Ireland rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll as the main speaker at the event, which will be hosted in partnership with headline sponsor bmi, British Midlands International and supporting partners Cleaver Fulton Rankin, DSV, Power NI and the Ulster Business School at the University of Ulster. Entertainment will be provided by global jazz star Jamie Cullum.
Speaking ahead of this evening’s festivities, NI Chamber President Francis Martin suggested that the popularity of the event demonstrates an emerging optimism among the Northern Ireland business community: “The current business agenda tends to be very much dominated with doom and gloom but, despite facing some of the most challenging times on record, there is a sense of cautious optimism emerging among Northern Ireland companies.
“Tonight’s event in this world-class venue sold out within a matter of days of tickets going on sale, with companies seizing the opportunity to celebrate some of the excellent achievements of NI Chamber and the Northern Ireland business community over the past 230 years and look forward to bigger and better times ahead for business here.
“We are delighted to have bmi, British Midland International on board as our headline sponsor and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them, together with our supporting partners, for their generous support – without which tonight’s event would not be happening.”
Chief Executive Ann McGregor explained how Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce has grown to become one of the country’s most respected business organisations, saying: “Founded in 1782, Northern Ireland Chamber is Northern Ireland’s longest-established business organisation and has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of the business community here for the past 230 years.
“We have always represented our members at the forefront of key issues affecting the private sector in Northern Ireland - most recently campaigning with other business organisations for the power to reduce Corporation Tax to the 12.5 per cent level currently applying in the Republic of Ireland. Going forward, we will continue to build upon and develop our strong relationship with the Northern Ireland Executive and work alongside and on behalf of our membership of over 1,100 companies to help drive sustainable, economic growth in Northern Ireland.”
Speaking on behalf of the Chamber230 sponsors, Brenda Morgan, bmi Sales Manager Ireland said: “Just like Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, bmi, British Midland International plays a major role in supporting Northern Ireland businesses – providing a vital gateway between companies here and the worldwide business market through our important Belfast to London Heathrow route.
“bmi is proud to be partnering with Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce for tonight’s event - marking its 230th anniversary, celebrating all that is good about business here and looking towards a thriving economic future for Northern Ireland.”