One enterprising Kerry businessman has come up with a marketing idea which is “win-win” for several businesses at once.  Dan O’Donoghue from Valentia Island is well known for his musical talents, but his artistic abilities don’t end there.  Dan’s business – Room with a View (www.roomwithaview.ie) – provides high quality online brochures and 360⁰  virtual tours for businesses, mainly those involved in travel and tourism.  When Dan realised that marketing budgets were squeezed tighter than ever, he came up with the idea of providing very focused and targeted e-brochures for hotels, golf courses and other attractions – free of charge!  The costs are covered by advertising space, offered at low cost to other local businesses.  Each business is assured that it will be the only one of its type in the brochure.

 The Killarney Golf and Fishing Club is delighted with the new spin on its Stroke Saver.  Rather than waiting to buy the printed version in the club’s shop, golfers can look at the Stroke Saver from the club’s website and not only be well prepared to play each hole but also get information about accommodation and other activities and attractions in the area.  As host of the 3 Irish Open this year, their website is likely to be a popular one!

 Dan comments:

“This service is win-win for all partners.  I’m already working with a top wedding venue and talking to other golf clubs such as Tralee Golf Club and the Castlemartyr Resort in Cork and hotels and I know that this has great potential for tourist attractions, travel operators and other businesses in Ireland.. These eBrochures will also be available in many different languages .The advertisers are jumping at the chance to get into the brochures as it’s great value, exclusive. and aimed directly at their target market.”

There are more than 30,700 marriages registered each year in the island of Ireland and nearly 262,000 in England, Wales and Scotland – that’s great news for the many businesses who cater for the wedding market.  Annie Byrne of Aislinn Events is convinced that bringing these businesses together to learn and network can lead to new or improved business opportunities. 

 The first Business of Weddings Ireland conference will be held at the luxury five-star Muckross Park Hotel in Killarney, County Kerry on 2^nd and 3^rd November 2010.  This is timed for “pre-engagement” season!  Annie Byrne is excited and delighted that Meghan Ely, an expert in PR and marketing for wedding businesses in the USA, will be flying over to be the main speaker. 

 Annie comments:

“This conference is ideal for wedding co-ordinators and planners, bridal shop owners, photographers, florists, bakers, designers, videographers, hairdressers, make-up artists, entertainers, chauffeurs and any other business connected with weddings.  Meghan will be focusing on how to reach and market to “Generation Y” brides and grooms, bridal show marketing strategies and using social media and networking to raise your profile.”

 Annie Byrne (http://aislinnevents.com), originally from Los Angeles,  is an experienced wedding planner and co-ordinator based on the lovely Dingle peninsula; she specialises in working with couples from outside Ireland who want to come to Southwest Ireland for their wedding.  The process starts with “dreamstorming” – a chance for the couple to chat about their wishes so that Annie can come up with a “to do” list, inspiration board and checklists.  Annie has been working in the wedding business for more than five years, involving hundreds of weddings and events.  Her blog (http://aislinnevents.com/blog) is an inspiring collection of photographs and articles.

 Meghan Ely of OFD Consulting lives and breathes the wedding industry and has planned three “Artful Wedding” bridal shows.  She is MD of the Richmond Bridal Association, co-host of Bridesight TV (a webcast show) and Marketing Chair of “Wish upon a Wedding”.  As a writer, she contributes to Virginia Bride and Premier Bride magazines.  Her blog – “Illuminate” (http://ofdconsulting.blogspot.com/) – gives a taster of her tips and ideas for the wedding professional.

 Booking for the conference is already open and there’s an early registration price of €237 until 1^st September which includes lunch, dinner and overnight stay plus breakfast in the Muckross Park Hotel.  Killarney is only a 20-minute journey by taxi from Kerry airport (served by Ryanair and Aer Arann).  Book on www.thebusinessofweddings-ireland.com or contact Annie Byrne at hello@aislinnevents.com or phone +353 76 6026800 or mobile +353 87 676 1900.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Wednesday, 21st October 2009.

Click on www.ittralee.ie/krlc for more information on the Killarney Regional Learning Centre or contact John Moriarty on 064-6671055,  email John.Moriarty@staff.ittralee.ie.

All arts and crafts must be handmade, not imported and of a high standard.  Contact info@killarneyoutletcentre.com for more information or phone 064 6636744.