Firms catch up at Hydro

The new Firth Pavilion at the Seamill Hydro was the venue for the February Connect event hosted by the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce.

The monthly Connect events give small businesses in Ayrshire the chance to meet up over breakfast and talk about ways to improve trade by talking to each other.

And from next month The Ayrshire Post, Kilmarnock Standard and Irvine Herald will be supporting the event as media partners.

Business Development Manager Ayrshire Lyndsey McLarney said: “We attend the events every month and it will be great to support them.

“We work with Ayrshire businesses every day and it’s always a positive event where businesses have the opportunity to connect with each other and share ideas and make connections.”

The free Connect events allow businesses to meet up and share ideas of how to grow their business with like minded people.

It’s part of the events being run by the Chamber to commemorate its 70th anniversary.

And Chief Executive Val Russell explained the reason for Connect.

“We want small businesses to meet up and share their ideas and meet people who are in the same position as themselves,” said Val.

“Connect will be moving to different venues in North, East and South Ayrshire once a month and gives these businesses the chance to connect with each other.

“The Chamber team will be at the events to encourage people to learn more about our work and the ways we can help them too.”

The Waterside Hotel was the first to host the Connect event in January and on Friday, March 24 at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum will host the Connect event at 10am.

Norman Rennie of Seamill Hydro said: “We have recently opened our new Firth Pavilion and we were proud to use Ayrshire businesses to design and build it here at the hotel.

“Ayrshire businesses are vital to the Ayrshire economy and The Connect event is something we are happy to host to encourage businesses in the area and it’s been a pleasure to see everyone here and give them a tour of our new Pavilion.”

This year the Chamber has a whole host of events lined up this year to mark its 70th anniversary.

Funny woman Karen Dunbar will host the Ayrshire Chamber Platinum 70th Anniversary dinner at Trump Turnberry on Friday, March 10.

170217ConnectNet_ 2 Connect host Norman Rennie of the Seamill Hydro welcomed guests to the networking event at the new Firth Pavilion at the hotel

170217ConnectNet_ 10 Cuppa time Chief Executive of Ayrshire Chamber Val Russell talks to Jim Nathaniel from AllNeed Recruitment

170217ConnectNet_ 7 Breakfast chat These three Avon representatives were among the members who met in the new Firth Pavilion at Seamill Hydro

170217ConnectNet_ 4 Swapping cards Debbie Hunter of AllNeeds Recruitment with Margarette Bryan of Alex Begg and Ayrshire Association of Business Women’s Liz Cooper