Businesses from all over Clare and Limerick had lots to smile about following the hugely successful SMILE Resource Exchange event in The Radisson Hotel, on 22nd November, 2011
Over 70 participants from 60 businesses attended the free event which was based on the concept that “one’s waste could be another’s resource”, and encouraged 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 will work with the businesses who attended to foster partnerships and develop the 163 potential exchanges that were identified on the day which will allow them to exchange reusable resources. For the companies involved, these prospective exchanges have the potential to save money, reduce waste going to landfill and develop new business opportunities.
This positive business networking event marked SMILE Resource Exchange’s recent expansion into Kerry, Clare and Limerick; and at it, attendees had the opportunity to learn more about SMILE Resource Exchange, as well as identify partnerships through facilitated networking sessions. Those in attendance also heard some interesting business case studies from John Sammin, SPeco Services,Stuart de Lacey, Springfield Plastics 343 Ltd., Geraldine Gregan, O’Connors Bakery and David Fitzgerald, Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel about how their organisations have adopted environmentally friendly and money saving measures, similar to what can be achieved through membership of SMILE Resource Exchange.
Following the event, Michelle Green, Project Manager, SMILE Resource Exchange said “We are delighted to have identified 163 potential exchanges between 60 businesses at our first Clare event, which was a tremendous success. Since its inception, SMILE Resource Exchange has identified over 1,100 potential matches between businesses as well as identifying thousands of euros of cost savings for businesses; and while it will take our team some time to quantify and calculate potential cost savings to businesses from our Clare event and expansion, we’re really looking forward to achieving similar statistics in the region.”
All resources offered through SMILE Resource Exchange are either free of charge or below market value. Through the events, and the SMILE Resource Exchange website and with assistance from the dedicated support team, businesses can identify resources they would like to exchange such as reusable items, by-products and surplus products.
Eamonn Kelly, CEO of Clare Co. Enterprise Board, gave the Opening Address at the event, and was enthusiastic about interest in the initiative: “It is encouraging to see so many business people from Clare, Limerick and beyond turn out for this SMILE Resource Exchange event which proactively supports businesses, and joins enterprise and environment together in a unique and innovative way. We’re living in a time when businesses are, and need to be, more conscious of the environment and economy, and this innovative initiative allows them to do just that.”
SMILE Resource Exchange is a free service for businesses that encourages the exchanging of resources between its members in order to save money, reduce waste going to landfill and to develop new business opportunities. Potential exchanges are identified through networking events, an online exchange facility and a support team to assist throughout. Please log onto www.smileexchange.ie for all information.