Liverpool Chamber is supporting SMEs wanting to expand their activity in the Spanish Market with a trade mission between  17- 19th October 2007.

This is a fabulous opportunity for Merseyside businesses. Having successfully secured European funding, the Chamber is now able to offer you a chance to participate in this trade mission at a more affordable price. Eligible companies will receive subsidy of 50% towards expenses, maximum eligible expenditures of £1000, covering flight travel, accommodation, in-country travel, interpreter costs, in-market telephone calls and certain market research.

Elena Enciso, International Trade Executive explained:” Spain is a highly developed, competitive market. Almost anything sold in the UK is likely to sell well in Spain. The Spanish government is committed to opening up the Spanish market and has embarked on an extensive privatisation programme. Spain therefore offers many opportunities to the British exporter across a wide range of sectors.

It is also worth noting that some 17 million British tourists visit Spain each year and over 750,000 Britons now live in Spain permanently.  Don’t worry if you have little or no overseas experience, help and support are available at any stage throughout the market visit through the Chamber;s team of experienced International Trade Executives.

Whilst in Spain there will be an in-country briefing, where you will be presented with a market overview, cultural information and tips on how to conduct business. Thereafter, you will be free to attend meetings with your potential clients, identified through research or by yourself.”

This is a fabulous opportunity for Merseyside businesses. Having successfully secured European Funding, we are now able to offer you a chance to participate in this trade mission at a more affordable price. Eligible companies will receive subsidy of 50% towards expenses, maximum eligible expenditures of £1000, covering flight travel, accommodation, in-country travel, interpreter costs, in-market telephone calls and certain market research.

This Chamber is presently negotiating attractive rates for flights and hotels.

Please email elena.enciso@Liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Alternatively telephone Elena: 0151 227 1234 Ext: 2212

Part of your membership to the Liverpool Chamber includes access to ChamberHR, a comprehensive human resource service delivered through the ChamberHR web site and a dedicated human resource advice line. In our last e-news we looked at the basics of keeping compliant with employment legislation and health & safety, this week we are looking into grievance and disciplinary.

Read the rest of this entry »

Mark the 28th April 2008 in your diaries, the British Chamber of Commerce’s Conference has now been officially launched.

The BCC conference, usually held in London, is the premier event in the business calendar.

This year the British Chambers are moving their conference to Liverpool. David Frost, Director General of the BCC said: “The combination of the professionalism of Liverpool Chamber, Capital of Culture Year 2008 and the availability of the new convention centre (pictured above) makes the city a first class location for this prestigious event.”

The theme of the conference is helping local companies to win global business. Keynote speakers will be from the very top echelons of national and international business.

Liverpool Chamber Chief Jack Stopforth explained: “Hosting this conference represents a great milestone. It’s very significant for us, especially in 2008. It’s a great opportunity to showcase what the city has achieved and the challenges that still lie ahead.”

Liverpool Chamber of Commerce is working with Wirral based Voss Training Services, to ensure that employees who supervise or manage the use of work equipment have received appropriate Health and Safety training.

RTITB, the lead accrediting body for lift truck training in the UK has identified a training need for managers and supervisors who have responsibility for life truck operations and operators. They have created this one day RTITB accredited course which will be delivered on behalf of the Chamber by Voss Training Services on 18 September 2007.

Alma Mayers, Liverpool Chamber’s Seminar Projects Manager said: “The aim of the course is to give managers and supervisors who have responsibility for lift truck operations and lift truck operators an understanding of their statutory responsibilities relating to safe use of lift trucks and the supervision of the operators working within this environment.”

This training will also meet the training requirements outlined in the HSE’s new Guidance on Workplace Transport Safety which is being launched in September this year.

This one day management & supervisory course will be delivered by Voss Training Services on 18 September 2007 at Number One Old Hall Street, Liverpool. The cost is £175 per person plus £7.00 to cover the cost of NORS registration fee + V.A.T.

The good news is that if your company is based in the Merseyside area and has less that 259 employees you may be eligible for up to 60% funding support with Mersey Skills Network.

For more information or to book, contact Alma Mayers at Liverpool Chamber on 0151 224-1883.

You can give your staff a taste of the good life by giving them a LiveOne20 card. It’s a fantastic way to reward them for all their hard work!

Cardholders can save a staggering £800 a year and there are loads of great offers to choose from. How about a fabulous two-course lunch for only £19 at the London Carriage Works? Or an incredible 50% saving on food at the wonderful Sapporo Teppanyaki and Il Forno?

LiveOne20 also provides you and your staff with a wide array of great travel offers as well as eye-watering deals with some of Liverpool’s best names in retail, leisure, entertainment, health and beauty.

Fantastic new offers are coming on board every week so keep watching the LiveOne20 website - www.liveone20.com - for the latest updates. You can also enter our exciting exclusive competitions every month.

Last month, LiveOne20 cardholders won 120 comedy festival tickets. This month 60 pairs of City Explorer day visitor passes are up for grabs, providing guided tours of the city centre on the City Explorer Bus and a range of additional special offers.

Chamber members can reward their staff with £800 for just £10-18 per year per employee. They’ll love you for it!

Why don’t you purchase some cards today?

To buy LiveOne20 cards, just email Jenny Stewart, Head of Membership, at liveone20@liverpoolchamber.org.uk or telephone 0151 227 1234, or Livesmart’s account manager Daniel White on 0870 055 3472 or by e-mail at liveone20@livesmart.biz.

The night out of the year is being planned by Merseyside Crimestoppers.

Peter Jones, Head of the Chamber’s Business Crime Direct Team said: “Last year, Merseyside Crimestoppers, held a hugely successful and enjoyable dinner and raised £2,500 for Merseyside Crimestoppers. This year we aim for an even bigger and better event so that we can fund more crime reduction projects.

“This year’s event will have a James Bond theme in honour of the Merseyside connection with the latest Bond star, Daniel Craig. There will be a special prize for the table or individual which best captures the Bond theme.”

Crimestoppers is an independent UK- wide charity working to stop crime. Crimestoppers works for you, your businesses, your family and your community.

Their number, 0800 555 111 is designed to encouraged members of the public to call anonymously to help identify criminals and prevent, solve, and reduce crime.

What you may not know is that publicity campaigns and rewards for information are paid for by charitable donations. There are sponsorship opportunities available for all or any part of the event, including raffle prizes.

It will be held at the Liner Hotel in Lord Nelson Street, Liverpool on Wednesday 26th September 2007.

Guest of Honour will be Michael Stark (Sinbad from Brookside, now appearing in Coronation Street) who will make us laugh whilst we can dance the “hippy hippy shake” with Merseyside’s very own Swinging Blue Jeans. Joe Curran will be Master of Ceremonies.

Seats will be £50 each or £450 for a table of ten. We have negotiated concessionary room rates with The Liner Hotel of £70 per room (single or twin), including breakfast. Contact the hotel on 0151 709 7050 and quote Crimestoppers for reservations.