Something for Kerry Businesses to Smile About

17 October 2011

Are you looking for new business opportunities or do you want to save money for your business? If the answer is yes, SMILE Resource Exchange invites you to join other Kerry businesses on Wednesday 26th October for a free networking event in The Brehon, Killarney.  Based on the concept that "one's waste could be another's resource", this business event will encourage the sharing and exchanging of resources in order to reduce costs and help the environment.

SMILE (Saving Money through Industry Links and Exchanges) Resource Exchange, an initiative developed to help create mutually beneficial partnerships between businesses, last week announced its expansion into Kerry, and the upcoming event marks this positive development.  SMILE Resource Exchange is sure to give Kerry businesses and organisations lots to "smile" about this autumn, as it works with them to foster partnerships that allow them to exchange re-usable resources, and in doing so, save money, reduce waste going to landfill and to develop new business opportunities.

As places are limited, registration is essential for the free event on October 26th, which runs from 8.45am to 2pm (lunch is included) in The Brehon - visit www.smileexchange.ie to register today.  Attendees will have opportunities to learn more about SMILE Resource Exchange, identify potential partnerships through facilitated networking sessions, and hear first-hand some interesting business case studies including that of Jerry Dwyer, Production Manager, Lee Strand Co-operative Creamery Ltd.

Speaking about the expansion and upcoming event, Michelle Green, Project Manager, SMILE Resource Exchange said "Since its inception, SMILE Resource Exchange has identified over 1,000 potential matches between businesses as well as identifying thousands of euros of cost savings for businesses, and we're really looking forward to progressing even further in Kerry.  All resources offered through SMILE Resource Exchange are either free of charge or below market value and at the upcoming event, as well as through our website and support team, businesses can identify resources they would like to exchange such as reusable items, by-products and surplus products."

SMILE Resource Exchange is project managed by Macroom E and is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Kerry County Enterprise Board; and Limerick/Clare/Kerry Regional Waste Management Office; as well as Cork County and City Enterprise Boards; Cork County and City Councils; Limerick County and City Enterprise Boards; and Clare County Enterprise Board in the other regions it is active in.

Tomás Hayes, CEO of Kerry Enterprise Board, will give the Opening Address at the upcoming event, and is enthusiastic about the initiative: "SMILE Resource Exchange proactively supports businesses, and joins enterprise and environment together in a unique and innovative way; and we are looking forward to welcoming lots of new members at our first Kerry event on October 26th, as part of Enterprise Mid West 2011."

Former GAA commentator, Micheál Ó' Muircheartaigh is delighted to support the expansion of SMILE Resource Exchange into Kerry and is encouraging businesses to get involved: "Kerry is a county steeped in a strong sporting tradition, and successes achieved are often attributed to the practice of teams coming together as Divisional sides to play in the County Championship for the betterment of the game in general.  It is also a region that is synonymous for business people working together to achieve results including hosting major international events such as the Irish Open and Rose of Tralee; as well as Killarney's recent Tidy Towns win, where the whole community really came together and showed what can be achieved through working together."  He added "It's important to maintain this reputation; now more than ever we need to continue working together - remember ‘Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine', which means that working together, wonders can be achieved.  I'm proud to be associated with SMILE Resource Exchange's expansion into Kerry, and through this initiative we can help businesses share resources, enhance the environment and create better business practices."

The upcoming SMILE Resource Exchange event is free and open to entrepreneurs and businesses from all sectors looking for potential business opportunities.  To register for the event on October 26th, or for further information on SMILE Resource Exchange visit www.smileexchange.ie or call (026) 20520.