Tralee Chamber hosted its annual Presidents Lunch on Friday last at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. Newly elected Tralee Chamber President Stephen Stack, along with keynote speakers David Walsh, CEO of Halocare and President of MTU Prof. Maggie Cusack attended the sold-out event. Speaking at the lunch, Colette O’Connor CEO of Tralee Chamber presented an overview of progress Tralee Chamber has made in 2023, saying: “membership has grown by 78%, while, either directly or indirectly, Tralee Chamber has supported 7 festivals and events in Tralee. 2023 also saw the Chamber lobbying for increased connectivity from Kerry Airport, while also being represented on the Shannon Estuary Taskforce Tourism sub-group.”
She paid special recognition to the Tralee Tidy Town Committee and the business community of Tralee who came out in force to support them. She added that “today’s lunch is a platform to offer stakeholders a thorough understanding of the Chamber’s initiatives, the individuals contributing, and our ambitious plans for 2024. As we enter the festive season, the Chamber is eagerly anticipating a bustling period with all resources dedicated to the Christmas in Tralee programme.”
Also speaking at the Tralee Chamber President’s lunch, newly appointed President Stephen Stack expressed his enthusiasm for the Astellas project, highlighting its potential to be a game changer for Tralee. Stack commended Kerry County Council for its proactive efforts in enhancing the town’s infrastructure, setting the stage for such progressive developments.
“Tralee is poised for a positive transformation, and the Astellas announcement is a testament to the town’s potential,” remarked Stack. He emphasised that Tralee is not only a great place to live, with a growing population, but also a thriving University town and a vital economic driver for the South-West region. Commending the outgoing President Nathan McDonnell for his ideas and enthusiasm, Stack affirmed his commitment to building on the foundation laid by his predecessor.
The event also featured insightful contributions from distinguished speakers, including Prof. Maggie Cusack from MTU, who expressed her vision for the university to be the “first choice for students”, providing an environment for “continuous excellence”.
David Walsh, the guest speaker from Netwatch and HaloCare, shared valuable insights on how businesses can drive or fall victim to change. Emphasising the pivotal role of innovation and culture, Walsh urged businesses to recruit positive, ambitious individuals who share core values.
Colette O’Connor (CEO Tralee Chamber Alliance) speaking at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyNew Tralee Chamber President Stephen Stack pictured speaking at the Tralee Chamber President’s Annual Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyMTU President Professor Maggie Cusack speaking at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyHaloCare CEO, David Walsh, was the Keynote Speaker at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyNew Tralee Chamber Alliance President Stephen Stack pictured with Colette O’Connor (CEO Tralee Chamber Alliance) ahead of the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyOutgoing President Nathan McDonnell congratulates new Chamber President Stephen Stack on Friday afternoon at the Tralee Chamber President’s Annual Lunch in The Rose Hotel. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyNew Tralee Chamber Alliance President Stephen Stack pictured speaking at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyNew Tralee Chamber Alliance President Stephen Stack (centre) pictured with Colette O’Connor (CEO Tralee Chamber Alliance) and outgoing President Nathan McDonnell at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyHaloCare CEO, David Walsh (Keynote Speaker), Colette O’Connor (CEO Tralee Chamber Alliance), MTU President Professor Maggie Cusack and new Tralee Chamber Alliance President Stephen Stack, pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyJohn Reen (Tralee Chamber Alliance), Anne Looney (MTU), David Walsh (HaloCare CEO), Siobhán Rivas May (Tralee Chamber Alliance), new Tralee Chamber Alliance President Stephen Stack, Johnny Wall (Mayor of Tralee), Colette O’Connor (CEO Tralee Chamber Alliance), outgoing Tralee Chamber President Nathan McDonnell, and Martha Farrell (MTU) pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographySiobhán Rivas May (Tralee Chamber Alliance), Mark Sullivan (The Rose Hotel), new Tralee Chamber Alliance President Stephen Stack, John Reen (Tralee Chamber Alliance), Johnny Wall (Mayor of Tralee), outgoing Tralee Chamber President Nathan McDonnell, Colette O’Connor (CEO Tralee Chamber Alliance), and Martha Farrell (MTU) pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyNew Tralee Chamber Alliance President Stephen Stack, Colette O’Connor (CEO Tralee Chamber Alliance) and Johnny Wall (Mayor of Tralee), pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographySeamus O’Connell (Astellas), Aoife O’Brien (Tech Industry Alliance), Louis Collins (Astellas), Tim Daly (MTU) and Colette O’Connor (CEO Tralee Chamber Alliance) pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyAisling Foley (The Rose Hotel), Anne Tierney and Roisin Healy pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyEnjoying the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon were: Caroline Reidy, Bridget O’Keeffe (Killarney Chamber), Stephen Stack (Tralee Chamber President), Gemma Fort (Recovery Haven) and Paul Byrne (PWB Killarney). Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyGerard O’Donoghue (Enercon) and Joseph Quinlan (Enercon) pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographySean Higgins, Don O’Neill and Pascal O’Neill pictured enjoying themselves at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyRichard O’Brien (The Ashe Hotel) and Pamela Prendiville (The Ashe Hotel) pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographySeamus Cotter, George Savage and Malachy Nagle pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyMTU staff Eilish Broderick, Tim Daly, Anne Looney and Ciara Looney pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographySiobhan Kelly (Cara CU), Mark Hussey (Cara CU), Kieran O’Donovan (AIB) and Sarah O’Regan (Cara CU) pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyPa Daly (TD), Colette O’Connor (CEO Tralee Chamber Alliance), Moira Murrell (CEO Kerry County Council) with Cllr Jim Finucane (Cathaoirleach, Kerry County Council) pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Annual Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyMargaret O’Connor (AIB), Minister Norma Foley, Gemma Fort (Recovery Haven) and Mary Rose Cantillon (AIB) pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Annual Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyNew Tralee Chamber Alliance President Stephen Stack pictured being congratulated by Minister Norma Foley at the Tralee Chamber President’s Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyChris Shortt and David Scott pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Annual Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyBilly and Margaret Nolan pictured enjoying themselves at the Tralee Chamber President’s Annual Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyAnthony O’Gara, Margaret Kissane, Susan O’Gara and Jamie Flannery pictured at the Tralee Chamber President’s Annual Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyMinister for Education Norma Foley pictured watching a presentation at the Tralee Chamber President’s Annual Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyOutgoing President Nathan McDonnell speaking at the Tralee Chamber President’s Annual Lunch in The Rose Hotel on Friday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
