Five Minute Focus On: Martina Connolly, Belfast Chamber of Commerce
Tell us about Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce
Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce (Belfast Chamber) was first established in 1912. Our large membership base come from a broad range of business and commercial enterprises all over the city including retailers, hoteliers, solicitors, estate agents, property developers, media, tech companies, and transport providers.
Belfast Chamber is dedicated to being the voice of business, lobbying and supporting all businesses within the entire city area with the stated aim of building the strongest possible framework for investment and business growth. We have excellent schedule of facilitated networking events, workshops and masterclasses.
What is your role in the company?
As Partnership Manager for Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce I have worked for the organisation for 10 years holding a variety of roles. I wear many hats from business development, event management to account manager.
Tell us something about The Belfast Chamber we might not know
We were established in 1912 the same year the titanic was launched! Only we didn’t sink in fact we have been full steam ahead since.
What’s next for The Belfast Chamber?
We have had a lot of changes recently and are currently rebranding to fit with the needs of the organisation. Business needs are always changing so we are repositioning our offer to help our members more. We have a lot of plans in place to continue to grow our membership throughout the city with a fun and extensive range of events.
What’s your favourite thing about working in Belfast?
The vibrancy and changing face of Belfast… that and the people make it! Every week there is something different to see or somewhere new to visit we are a growing city. With 7 new hotels due to open by the end of 2018 and the relocation of University of Ulster by 2020 this is only going to get better week by week!
What do you like about being a Glandore Member?
The Chamber are only new to the building but I am already loving the network of people around us. We are a small team so catching up with some of the other businesses at recent events and on the new terrace has been great. The Glandore Team have made our move so easy too. Everyone is so helpful it’s made a daunting move very exciting!
Friday nights in or Friday nights out?
Friday nights out, after a week of running around the city it is great to catch up with friends for dinner and drinks and soak up the atmosphere. There is such a variety of things to do on Friday evenings right on our door step. It makes it hard just to just jump on the bus home!