Business News & Events Archive
Ireland's eGovernment Awards 2011
Entries Close 10 December
3 New Categories Announced!
Dear Reader,
While it's cold outside why not write up your entry to the 2011 Ireland's eGovernment Awards, run in association with eircom. Entries have been extended to Friday, 10 December 2010 and are entirely free. With 3 news categories announced - Promoting Ireland Overseas, Innovation and Open Source Software - there are thirteen catgories to chose from.
In these difficult times, Ireland's eGovernment Awards provide an opportunity to recognise and encourage those who are delivering real returns using online to deliver services.
Download the entry forms at: http://www.irishegovernmentawards.ie/how-to-enter.htm
3 New Categories:
Promoting Ireland Overseas eGovernment Award
Recognising the key role international investment and exports from Ireland will play in our economic recovery, this new category rewards the use of online to support the promotion of Ireland overseas.
Innovation eGovernment Award
The Innovation eGovernment Award is awarded for an operational, service or product innovation which utilises the web and which has been implemented for the first time in 2010. The innovation must be focused on providing improved services, operational efficiencies and faster processes in delivering eGovernment in Ireland.
Open Source eGovernment Award
The Open Source eGovernment Award is awarded for contribution and participation in an open source project. This participation could be through utilising open source software in an innovative way, core software development, testing of the resulting product or service, contribution to the documentation of the open source project or by providing support services. This award goes beyond the simple use of an open source package and recognises real, practical participation in an open source project or community.
For all entries download the entry forms online or email Irene with any questions.
New Judges
We are pleased to welcome two new judges to our judging panel:
Siubhán Nic Grianna, Údarás na Gaeltachta
John Lamphiere, Facebook
Nominate Your People's Choice Award
Nominations for the People's Choice Award are also open!
Each year we invite the public to nominate an eGovernment service that has made a considerable difference to Irish citizens. Nominations will remain open until January 2011 and then you will also have a chance to vote for your overall favourite from all the sites nominated. Submit your nomination here.
Note: You may nominate your site for the People's Choice Award as well as enter in the other categories of the Awards.
View the 2010 Award Winners and listen to the judges commentary on the shortlist.
The Awards ceremony will be held in March 2011 in Dublin.
Yours sincerely,
Irene Dehaene
Ireland's eGovernment Awards & Training
(e) irene@irishegovernmentawards.ie
(t) 087 292 3333
KEEP IT KELLS THIS CHRISTMAS!
Shop Local
A Huge Choice of Outlets
Kells & District Chamber, BUSINESS groups and retailers in Kells have banded together and come up with some creative ideas to fight the recession and to promote the huge importance of shopping locally this Christmas.
Keep It Kells campaign
The new ‘Keep It Kells’ campaign invites people to take on a unique Christmas Challenge. Will you commit 75% of your Christmas spend this year to Kells and show your support for local businesses at the same time?
Launching the campaign, Geraldine Gaughran, President of Kells & District Chamber of Commerce said: “This year, I've set myself a challenge to spend at least three-quarters of my Christmas spend in Kells.”
“Research shows that adults spent an average per head of €1,110 on gifts, food and socialising last Christmas. Even if spending is down by 25pc this year, that is still an average spend of €830 per head. If 100 people take on this challenge with me and spend three-quarters of their Christmas budget in Kells, that’s, €622 per person and €62,200 that could be kept in the local economy this Christmas.”
“The population of Kells and its environs is just over 6,000. If 1,000 people take on this Challenge, then that's €622,000 that could be kept in Kells – just think of how many jobs and businesses that sort of spend would protect.”
“We can't sit around waiting for the government to help us out of the current mess: we have to ‘circle the wagons’ and help each other. This Challenge is very do-able and can have real and positive effects!”
The ‘Keep It Kells’ campaign has been launched on Facebook and local retailers are also displaying the distinctive red window stickers to remind shoppers of the idea. Why not share your tips and discoveries on the discussion board on Facebook? Reveal what you have spent your money on, what bargains you have found and what great Christmas gift ideas you’ve discovered while shopping locally.
Remember that you will also save money on petrol by shopping on your doorstep – plus Kells Town Council has announced that there will be free street parking from 11am each day, from Friday, December 17th until close of business on Christmas Eve.
Kells Gift Voucher Scheme
Another exciting Chamber initiative is the Kells Gift Voucher Scheme. Local businesses, retailers and consumers have all reaped the benefits of this innovative shopping initiative, which to date has kept more than €60,000 worth of business in the heritage town.
Over 50 local traders and companies in Kells are members of the Gift Voucher Scheme – from pharmacies to shoe shops to hairdressers to supermarkets to home interiors and gift outlets.
You can spend your voucher on a gourmet meal out, beauty and spa treatments, flowers, hotel accommodation, car servicing or a wide range of clothes for men, women and children.
Other goods and services on offer include antiques, jewellery, groceries, hardware/electrical, health products and computer and stationery supplies.
Kells Chamber does not financially benefit from the Kells Gift Voucher Scheme, but has supported it by providing administration resources and an advertising campaign.
Local retailers can join the Scheme free of charge, once they are members of Kells Chamber. Many local businesses have embraced the idea and now routinely purchase Kells Gift Vouchers to give to their employees as a Christmas bonus.
The Kells Gift Vouchers are available in denominations of €10, €20 or €50 and are presented in an attractive wallet.
Participating retailers also display stickers in their shop windows to show that they accept the vouchers.
The vouchers are available all year around. They are valid for 24 months from the date of issue and make ideal gifts for weddings, birthdays, Christmas or any special occasion.
Santa Comes to Kells
Kells Chamber has also thrown its support behind Kells People’s Resource Centre and its Christmas Sale & Santa event, which takes place from 12 noon onwards this coming Saturday, December 4th.
The Resource Centre is hosting a Bring & Buy Sale of Gifts & Toys and is seeking donations of any new or nearly new gifts or toys that might be the ideal bargain for someone doing Christmas on a budget this year. There will also be a cake sale. All donations of items for sale should be dropped into the Resource Centre before Friday, December 3rd.
The Event will also feature the Kells Silver Band, a nativity play and carols by the local Ladybirds and Brownies, festive music, arts and craft activities, storytelling with Mrs Claus and the arrival of Santa from the North Pole.
There is a charge of €5 per child (over two years), while adult admission is free. All proceeds will support the work of the Resource Centre.
At 4pm, Santa Claus will then proceed to Farrell Street to turn on the Christmas lights.
And when you are shopping for the festive season this year, please remember to Keep It Kells!
FURTHER INFORMATION
• Kells Gift Vouchers are available to buy from O’Brien’s Super Valu, Kells Shopping Centre; St. Colmcille’s Credit Union in Headfort Place, or Kells Chamber of Commerce Office (phone 046 9240055). For more on Kells Chamber, visit www.kellschamber.ie
• Kells People’s Resource Centre, Old Carrick School, Kells – phone 046 9247161.
CONTACT DETAILS
• Linda Higgins, Kells & District Chamber P.R.O – 087 686 4319 or kellschamber@gmail.com
• Geraldine Gaughran, President, Kells & District Chamber – 087 4174000
Supported by Kells & District Chamber ( www.kellschamber.ie) & Kells Town Council
