Local Wicklow businessman Stephen Delaney has been elected as 2023 President of Wicklow Town and District Chamber of Commerce during the Chambers AGM last Thursday, 10th March.
Addressing the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting, Stephen congratulates the incumbent president Matt Forkin on his very successful tenure as Chamber President over the past two years and said that it has been an absolute pleasure and honor to serve as Vice President to him during this time.
“Being at the helm of any business organization throughout such uncertain times is not without its challenges – to say the least – but Matt’s tenure has been hallmarked by a firm commitment to local commerce and I extend my sincere thanks to him on behalf of myself and fellow Chamber members”.
He also welcomed Anna Thornton, of DNG Thornton Properties Wicklow as the new Vice President and is confident that they will rise to the many and varied challenges that await us in the year ahead no matter what they may be. He also said that they were looking forward to working alongside the newly elected Board who volunteer their time and effort and all share the same vision for business growth and foster a healthy community environment.
Founder of the Shoe Box since 2018, they will be celebrating their 5th year in business this year. A native of Brittas Bay, Stephen attended De la Salle College Wicklow Town. He also serves on the boards of Holy Rosary NS, Colaiste Chill Mhantain and Wicklow & District Credit Union.
Stephen has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since 2017 having served on numerous Chamber committees and initiatives.
Since joining the chamber, he has seen how the organization and business as a whole have been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic over the last number of years which proved to be unpredictable, challenging and often frustrating for all businesses not just in Ireland but indeed globally – and most certainly – locally. “None of us expected what would enfold nor were we prepared for the changes that we have had to make to both our business and personal lives. I would like to say well done to the chamber and all of you here for steering your business through this challenge”.
He continued saying that we are still striving to meet the current Cost of Living crises needs and I am sure by the Chamber and businesses, no matter what product or service they offer, working together we can be stronger as a whole and meet both current and future needs to support a thriving future. To quote Benjamin Franklin ‘Out of adversity comes opportunity’.
Stephen continued by saying that he was looking forward to the Chamber’s healthy 2023 calendar of events to name some we have to look forward to, starting with this month Wednesday 22nd (11am-2pm) and Thursday 23rd (5pm-8pm) Meet your local Chamber – Open Coffee Morning, where we inform what is the Chamber? What do we do? How can we help your business? The venue for this is Wicklow Library top floor.
Our Taste of Wicklow festival will return June 24th & 25th, bigger and better than ever at its new location (Educate Together Secondary School, Wicklow Town. Formally the old Abbey Community College Grounds) and I would like to thank the Taste of Wicklow Committee for the huge amount of trojan work carried out through out the year to bring us this event.
Our annual Golf Classic is on in September which is always a great fun occasion.
We will also have members meet and greet networking events.
Chamber Dinner Dance and awards Friday 10th November
We have also set out a road map of events and webinars covering a wide range of business needs from digital marketing, e-commerce, cyber security, etc. A calendar of all these events and more will be emailed to all members shortly and will be on our website and social media.
He finished by saying that as an elected representative of, Wicklow Chamber and a local business owner I wish to commend the people of Wicklow for the support that they have shown to the chamber and local businesses. People really row in behind one another and it is great to see such positivity, community and sense of common purpose through challenging times and beyond.
As Chamber President I will champion and support you our local businesses in Wicklow Town and District in every way possible. I look forward to meeting and talking to our current members and welcoming new ones, my door and our office which is taken care by Susana is always open. I thank you for entrusting me with this role and look forward to all that we will achieve together in the year ahead.
