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Raising the Bar to Meet the Challenge - Clare welcomes the Vintners' Federation of Ireland AGM

05-May-2010

On Tuesday, 11 May 2010, over 300 members of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland ("VFI") will congregate in the Glór Theatre, Ennis, County Clare for the 37th VFI Annual General Meeting, proudly supported by FBD Insurance.

In a welcome boost for local trade the delegates will stay in the Temple Gate Hotel and in the Old Ground Hotel but will also enjoy rounds of golf in Ennis Golf Club and Dromoland Golf Club. The AGM itself will take place in the Glór theatre.

The AGM will confirm Carlow based Gerry Mellett as the new VFI President, taking over from Galway's Val Hanley.

The keynote speaker at this year's event will be the well known bookmaker, broadcaster and journalist Ivan Yates.

Speaking in advance of the AGM, VFI President Val Hanley commented:

"We are delighted to be going to Clare for the 37th VFI Annual General Meeting. The Glór Theatre is a wonderful venue and Ennis is a wonderful town and we are eagerly anticipating a great event.

"No one can doubt that the pub trade has been hit by a number of serious set backs over the last number of years. The recent Drinks Industry Group of Ireland ("DIGI") report has outlined just how serious things have become for the drinks trade in Ireland.

"In addition to this we will publish at the AGM details of independent research conducted on our behalf which echoes the findings of the DIGI report in relation to our members.

"But while we must acknowledge the perilous state our trade is in, this AGM is about us, as an organisation, putting our best foot forward. About us raising the bar in everything we do and as part of that, we will present to our members further details on the latest developments with Fáilte Ireland on a new scheme for all of our members.

"We think that this proposed scheme will be a hugely positive step for the VFI and it shows members of the public that we are continuously striving to provide them with a better product and we feel that once they see what our members have to offer, they will not be shy in coming back".

Welcoming delegates to Clare, VFI County PRO, John Moore, said:
"I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of the VFI delegates to Clare and hope that they have a great stay here. I am delighted that we are hosting the AGM and there is no doubt but that we, as publicans, will all benefit from this coming together".

The Managing Director of the Temple Gate Hotel Paul Madden commented:
"The Temple Gate Hotel is delighted to be playing their part in hosting this conference. Heretofore the VFI conference has been held in one venue (one hotel) however in 2010 a unique proposal was chosen by national VFI members and we are delighted to be part of that proposal."

Also hosting the delegates will be the Old Ground Hotel and General Manager Mary Gleeson, added:
"We very much look forward to welcoming the VFI members to Clare, to Ennis and indeed to the Old Ground Hotel. Ennis and its environs boast some truly spectacular attractions and we hope that the members enjoy their time here with us."

The VFI are looking forward to introducing further details of their proposed initiative with Fáilte Ireland at the AGM, an initiative which aims to introduce a minimum qualitative standard to its subscribing members.

Recent progress on the proposed scheme will be presented to the delegates in a workshop which will also outline to them the workings of the scheme.