The Adventure Team had several groups out ‘City Centre Treasure Hunting’ in Belfast last Christmas and it was a great way to engage in some team building (with a difference) as well as a good wind down before the Christmas break.  It is also a fun way to get people out and about in the City Centre.

We would love to promote these again in Omagh in the run up to Christmas and are keen to have chamber members involved. By involved, we mean that we would like to be able to direct our treasure hunt participants to local stores etc where photographs would be taken to answer clues which can then be uploaded to our various social media platforms which reach over 7000 followers, enabling promotions etc to be highlighted through us. In return, all we ask in return are some spot prizes (small token gifts or vouchers) from the businesses involved that we can give to participants as part of the treasure hunt experience.

We are keen to hear your thoughts and equally keen to meet with you if you have any additional ideas or indeed any concerns. See below for more information on the treasure hunt format and we have also attached a flyer and some photos from some previous hunts to give you a flavour of the experience for  participants and to see how businesses could get involved.

What is a Treasure Hunt?

During your Treasure Hunt participants will find a series of hidden items and locations via a series of clues, challenges and tasks.

Each Team competes against each other and the clock; scores are tallied at the end by viewing the digital photographs on a big screen.  Bonus points are awarded according to the “creativity” of the solution as well as on the safe return of “valuable” items.

Each Team is provided with a team pack including Top Secret Tools that will enable them to solve the puzzles, find new clues.  They will get to interact with the public as well as local businesses.

Highlights of the City Centre Treasure Hunt programme:

·         Teams compete against each other to find answers to clues or complete tasks throughout the city centre
·         Photographic evidence is used to evidence answers (and provide a great memento of the day)
·         Creative thinking
·         Presentation of all photos to the teams at the end of the hunt
·         Time and time again we are told that it was “the best craic we’ve had in a long time!”
·         Cost effective team building experience (only £20 per person)

Stephen Brown
The Adventure Team | CEAL
8 Meadowbank Road | Carrickfergus | BT38 8YF

Tel: 0845 5213145
Mob: 07513868476
Email: info@theadventureteam.co.uk
Web: www.theadventureteam.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamBuildingAdventure
Twitter: www.twitter.com/AdventureTeam
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/theadventureteam
Flickr: www.flickr.com/theadventureteam

Make sure to take note our new phone number – 0845 5213145

Young Professionals Networking Event – 5th December 2011 – Bar Rue

As a new initiative to encourage networking, PwC and Omagh Chamber of Commerce will host an informal and interactive event on 5th December to help young professionals in the Omagh region enhance their networking skills and create new contacts.

The event will commence with a 6.00pm drinks reception and it promises to be both enjoyable and informative, with Dan Long Associates providing their expertise on enhancing networking techniques.  I would be grateful if you would circulate this to anyone in your business who would be interested or would benefit from attending. 

The event is open to all young professionals in the region, not just Chamber members.  Please note, there is no charge for attending but places are limited and attendees must register using the instructions on the enclosed flyer.

I look forward to meeting young professionals from your business on 5th December – a great opportunity to swap business cards!

Regards – Elaine

Power NI in partnership with Omagh Chamber of Commerce hosted a “Face to Face” business lunch on Thursday 17th November 2011 at 12.30pm in the Silverbirch Hotel with over 40 local business representatives attending.

Alan Egner, Business Sales & Marketing Manager from Power NI, gave a presentation to guests on the energy and cost cutting services offered by Power NI. He added that “the event offered an excellent opportunity for Power NI to network with local businesses face to face and promote Power NI (the new name for NIE Energy) to our many existing and potential new customers.”

“Power NI supply electricity to around 30,000 local small businesses. Energy prices have risen recently and with winter looming we are keen to offer Omagh Chamber of Commerce members free expert advice on how to cut costs and save money.

Power NI where joined by a leading local lighting supplier Market LED who explained how you can take advantage of energy saving LED lighting, which is the future of lighting in homes and businesses. Guests also had the chance to win an energy saving monitor and get a free energy saving lamps. Guests at the lunch were presented with information packs from Power NI, outlining the practical ways the local energy provider can help customers save energy in their businesses.

Chris Kelly, President, Omagh Chamber of Commerce says “Given the increases in energy costs we welcome the fact that the Power NI “Face to Face” team hosted this event in Omagh and to the local business community. In these difficult times it is always useful to hear of ways in which to reduce costs and learn of energy saving ideas”

Chris Kelly concluded by thanking Power NI and Market LED for two very informative presentations and hoped that all who attended went away with some energy saving ideas.

If you would like to know more, or for information on how to join Omagh Chamber please contact: Elaine Fyffe at Omagh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OCCI), Omagh Enterprise Centre, Great Northern Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, BT78 5LU. Tel: 028 82 249 494 or 077 34389484 Email: admin@omaghchamber.com Web: www.omaghchamber.com.

This can represent a significant cost saving considering postage and labour costs. There’s no minimum donation and we’ll give you a shout out on our Facebook. Visit the Facebook [here] or go directly to the the website [here] Cancer Research Omagh

Contact Don on Tel: 0777 173 2527

Alan Egner, Business Sales & Marketing Manager from Power NI, sees this event as an excellent opportunity for Power NI to network with local businesses face to face and promote Power NI (the new name for NIE Energy) to their many existing and potential new customers.

Energy prices have risen recently and with winter looming Power NI are keen to offer Omagh Chamber of Commerce members free expert advice on how to cut costs and save money. They will be joined by a leading local lighting supplier to explain how you can take advantage of energy saving LED lighting, which is the future of lighting in homes and businesses. The short presentation and lighting demonstration will be followed by a question and answer session. Guests will also have the chance to win an energy saving monitor and get a free energy saving lamp.

You will also be presented with information packs from Power NI, outlining the practical ways the local energy provider can help customers save energy in their businesses.

This event is also a great opportunity to network with other local business people in the Omagh area. This event is complimentary to Chamber members and if you would like to promote this event to a business colleague please do.

If you would like to attend please book your place by contacting me on the details below. Omagh Chamber

An impressive gathering of over 200 members of the Omagh and District business community gathered in Kelly’s Inn, Garvaghey, on Friday evening last to celebrate the Annual Chamber of Commerce Dinner and the Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Ulster Herald’s Omagh Business Awards 2011.

With Jim Fitzpatrick, Economics and Business Editor with the BBC, as Master of Ceremonies for the night, the glittering occasion featured video presentation of the short-listed nominees before the winner in each category was announced. In the ultimate accolade of a night of business honours, Marcus Isherwood of Creative Media, the Omagh and Belfast based design agency was named as Omagh Business Person of the Year.

The formal speeches of the evening were delivered by Omagh Chamber’s President, Chris Kelly and Alex Attwood, Minister of the Environment before the formal part of the evening concluded with the announcement and presentation of the Omagh Business Awards by the sponsors of the various categories.

Chris Kelly, President of Omagh of Commerce, hailed the evening as an ‘outstanding success’, illustrating business strength and creativity that exists throughout the local area. Mr Kelly said, “I am delighted that the Omagh Business Awards were an outstanding success. Despite the difficult economic times the event was sold out and we had a capacity attendance”.

“The Business Awards celebrate the wealth and diversity of the business talent and the entrepreneurial spirit that exists within Omagh and the surrounding district. They are a recognition of the exceptional talent of the business men and women of Omagh. The Business Awards are also a badge of the confidence and pride that we have in our town and district. They send a clear message to the wider community in Northern Ireland and beyond that Omagh is an exciting place to do business”. “The Awards demonstrate that we in Omagh are more than capable of creating dynamic, innovative and successful world-class businesses.The Awards are all about celebrating that success and each and every one of businesses who took part should be proud of what they have achieved. They are an inspiring testament to the innovation and creativity of the people of Omagh.”

Dominic McClements, Ulster Herald General Manager stated, “The Ulster Herald is delighted to be joint organiser of the Business Awards this year along with Omagh Chamber of Commerce. The gala night last Friday was a huge success for everyone concerned with the local business community being acknowledged for its dedication and entrepreneurialism.

“The Ulster Herald plays a pivotal role in the local community and backing initiatives such as the awards is crucial and we look forward to the event growing in strength over the coming years.”

And the winners are

Retailer of the Year Award – Sponsored by Omagh District Council – House of Kidz

Excellence in Customer Service Award – Sponsored by Grafton Recruitment – Pat Kirk Motors

Excellence in Business Practice Award – Sponsored by Abac, All Business Advice Centre – Hi-Tec Hair Salon

Best Start Up Business Award – Sponsored by Omagh Enterprise – Heavenly Tasty Organics

Excellence in Marketing Award – Sponsored by Power NI – Todds Leap

Growth through Export Award – Sponsored by Invest NI – Waste Systems Ltd

Omagh Chamber of Commerce/Ulster Herald Business Person of the Year Award – Marcus Isherwood, Creative Media

Enterprise Minister and Chief Economist Address Omagh Chamber of Commerce

Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a Business and Networking Lunch, kindly sponsored by PwC, on Wednesday 13th April in the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh. The Guest Speakers at the event were Arlene Foster, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, supported by Dr Esmond Birnie, PwC’s Chief Economist in Northern Ireland and the topic addressed was “help for local companies.” The event was attended by 60 Chamber Members and guests from a wide spectrum of the business community who spoke highly of both presentations and the fantastic opportunity to network with other businesses in the area.

Arlene Foster commented, “I welcome the opportunity to discuss the issues affecting small business in the Omagh area. Over the last four years the DUP has placed the economy as the number one priority in Government at Stormont. Since the return of devolution the Northern Ireland Executive has introduced a small rates relief scheme, froze non domestic regional rates for 3 years, capped manufacturing rates at 30% and introduced funding packages through Invest NI to help small businesses survive the economic downturn. I hope that the new Assembly will continue to support small businesses which are backbone of the Northern Ireland economy.”

PwC’s Fergal McCann said this type of event is of great interest to the local business community, “It’s a credit to Omagh Chamber that we had an enjoyable and informative event with such a representation of individuals from the across the business community. It provided a great forum for those who wish to contribute to the debate on developments related to the local economy and policy making, and learn about opportunities relevant to their own business.”

Loraine Griffin, President of Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry says, “We are delighted to have hosted another Business and Networking Lunch which has provided an excellent opportunity for members and guests to network with many other local businesses. It was also a privilege to be able to welcome such distinguished guests as Arlene Foster and Dr Esmond Birnie to speak at this event. Of course none of this would have been possible without the very kind support from PwC who have kindly sponsored the event.”

If anyone is interested in more information you can contact Omagh Chamber of Commerce at;

Omagh Enterprise Centre,
Great Northern Road,
Omagh,
Co. Tyrone, BT78 5LU
Tel: 028 82 249 494
Email: admin@omaghchamber.com
Web: www.omaghchamber.com

Hospital staff, politicians and health campaigners in Omagh are celebrating the news that funding for a new £190 million enhanced hospital has officially been granted. The development will be located on a 100 acre site on grounds of the Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital approximately 1.5 miles from the town centre.

The Omagh Area Hospital Complex is expected to be completed within 48 months of full business case and funding approval. The additional enabling works on the new hospital site are expected to commence within the next four to six months. The business case for the hospital includes a 90 bedded facility and a wide range of services such as urgent care and treatment services, intermediate care, cardiac assessment, renal services and day case surgery, palliative care, imaging and diagnostics, general outpatients, clinical investigations, children’s centre, women’s health unit, allied health services, GP out of hours, pharmacy, social services, medical records and mental health services. The proposals also incorporate a new health and social care centre and will have a wide range of services including primary and community care services, GP surgeries and supported accommodation practice accommodation, community mental health, elderly services, and other support and community facilities.

This essential hospital development was scheduled to commence construction last year, but was thrown into doubt due to heavy budget cuts, with fears resonating in the local area that it may never happen at all. To the great relief of many, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, revealed this good news for the people of West Tyrone in the Assembly on Wednesday morning when making a statement on his capital priorities for the next four years.

The minister made reference to the difficult decisions he had prioritising what projects to proceed with and which had to be postponed due to lack of available funding. Mr McGimpsey said “This was no easy task but when health is continually starved of the funding it needs, then very difficult decisions have to be made. Decisions over whether to fund care for elderly people in their homes, or cut thousands of job or increase waiting times or build a new hospital. “These are choices which have to be made because the health and social care service is broke. These are choices which can only cause pain and anxiety to the public.”

Western Trust chairman Gerard Guckian and chief executive Elaine Way both expressed their delight at this announcement and how when completed will improve the delivery of health and social care in the western area. Mr Guckian said, “For many years the staff in the Tyrone County Hospital have provided high quality care in less than ideal accommodation. We now look forward to that same standard of care being delivered in modern facilities built and equipped for the 21st Century. ” Ms Way continued, “This scheme will help to deliver a wide range of health and social care services on one site enabling integrated working among health professionals with linkages to regional and national healthcare networks.”

Loraine Griffin, President of Omagh Chamber of Commerce says, “Omagh Chamber of Commerce & Industry welcomes the Health Minister McGimpsey’s announcement that, subject to normal business case processes, construction can start on the new enhanced local hospital at Omagh which is seen by the Minister as a high priority scheme.” We welcome all new investment in terms of infrastructure and job creation to this area particularly in times of cut backs and recession.”