Moray Tourism Destination Development.

Johnstons of Elgin has it, Walkers Shortbread has it, Forsyth Group has it, Gordon & MacPhail has it and Hunted Cow Studios has it.

Do you have SCOTTISH EXPORT POTENTIAL?

Moray Chamber of Commerce is launching Scottish Export Potential. This group will provide an opportunity for all types of business from manufacturers to service providers from Moray and the north east to get together to discuss export issues, network and share learning to help their business grow in a global market.

The first event will also launch Smart Exporter locally. This initiative is supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) to help businesses export out of the recession. SMART EXPORTER Smart Exporter is a range of support and training that is available largely free of charge from Scottish Chambers International (SCI) and Scottish Development International (SDI) and will be launched in Moray at Johnstons Heritage Centre & Courtyard on Wednesday 10th November at 5.30pm so do come along whether you are already exporting or whether you are just starting to think about it.

James Dracup managing director of Johnstons of Elgin will give an inspirational talk about their global experiences and some taster training sessions will be run on the evening by SDI and SCI.

Private and exclusive Christmas shopping with 10% off on the evening for attendees will take place at 7.15pm when drinks and canapés will be available and art enthusiast Mark Gask of Gallery I will use this opportunity to show the beautiful painting “Union Jack” by Scottish artist Jack Vettriano and talk about how this image inspired the photograph to promote our networking platform. This original and valuable painting will be on display for one evening only. Shopping will finish at 9.30pm.

For the opportunity to meet with an export expert to discuss any immediate issues that you might have then book a free place by phoning 0844 344 0000 or e mail info@scottishchambersinternational.co.uk

Best Regards

Lesley Lesley Ann Parker
Chief Executive Moray Chamber of Commerce
17 Victoria Street
Craigellachie
Aberlour-on-Spey, AB38 9SR
Tel: 01340 881226
Mobile: 07887 846495

Tuesday 9th november 2010, 6.30pm for 6.45pm

Whether you yourself are in need of a treat or know someone who deserves something special, we have the
answer!

With an exclusive insight into Cocoa Ooze luxury handmade chocolates and rejuvenating beauty treatments from Cloud Nine Beauty Salon, this is the ultimate night of relaxation for all you ladies out there. We will also showcase a range of wines from Gordon & MacPhail’s extensive selection.

At the event you will have the chance to taste and purchase the wines, watch a chocolate making demonstration whilst tasting some delicious handmade chocolates, and learn more about the latest beauty treatments available from Cloud Nine, including the revolutionary Minx Nails and Hollywood Lashes.

Cloud Nine are also offering the opportunity to receive a huge 50% discount on beauty treatments (applies to treatments booked on the night). From high quality wines to glamorous beauty treatments and luxury chocolates – you’re sure to find your ultimate indulgence!

Tickets for this exclusive event are priced at £10. On the evening, you will have the chance to taste and purchase various products and benefit from a number of exclusive discounted offers only available on the night, including a 5% discount on all purchases (excluding special offers).

If you would like to join us for what promises to be a delightful, educational and enticing evening, please contact Gordon & MacPhail, Retail Shop, South Street, Elgin. Tel: 01343 545110.

Tickets are priced at £10 each. Tickets very limited, so please hurry!

T: 01343 545110
E: marka@gordonandmacphail.com
W: www.gordonandmacphail.com

The New Workshop is nearly completed

Hugh and his team are about to move into the Conservation Training Workshop where they will refurbish the historic Woolmill textile machinery. This is a beautiful building constructed of wood with a metal roof and timber cladding. It is heated by a wood pellet boiler and the walls insulated with sheep’s wool.

See full story and more news here.

Exclusively available to all members of the Moray Tourism Development group we offer this opportunity to promote your Autumn offer via the new portal promoting the Moray and Speyside area.

This web portal will be promoted via a high profile PR and social media campaign starting soon.

Make sure you don’t miss this opportunity to promote your business for FREE!

Open to all MEMBERS, if you’re not a member yet, make sure you register here first.

Register your Autumn offer here.

Can you help us?

The next Dava Way working party will be Saturday 16th October to install finger posts and waymarkers between the Half Davoch road at Cowgreens and the Woodside diversion near the Rafford Bridge. The finger posts and waymarkers will be dropped off at their installation points where we will need to postcrete them in to a depth of about 1 metre.

There will also be some survey work at Peathillock to determine the drainage and surface improvement requirements for this flooded section.

We will be meeting at the Orchard Road car park opposite Applegrove School, at 9am.

Please let me know if you are available to help so that we can plan the working party tasks according to the number of volunteers we get!

ALSO – Many thanks to all the volunteers who braved the Dava midges to helped out at the last working party on 11th September (see photos).

Regards Pete Mitchell Dava Way Working Party Co-ordinator

Email: dwfriends@tiscali.co.uk

Tel: 01343 890273

Mob: 07881462217

The latest ear to the Ground newsletter from the Tourism Intelligence Scotland team. Full of useful info and tips. Click the picture to download it. Enjoy!

Date: Friday 8th October 2010
Time: 11.30am for 12.00pm – 2pm
Venue: Horizon Scotland, Forres
Cost: This is a free of charge event
Speakers: Lesley Ann Parker, Chief Executive, Moray Chamber of Commerce (Chair); Jim Maxwell, Co-operative Development Scotland; Chris Kerr, Harper Macleod; Jamie Waugh, Johnston Carmichael Co-operating for Growth

The Moray economy depends on small businesses but many of these businesses would benefit from working collaboratively, pooling their strengths and sharing resources to help them grow.

Consortia co-operatives bring together businesses, partnerships or individuals to work in collaboration for any purpose which supports its members – typically buying, selling, marketing or sharing facilities or services, or joint bidding for contracts. They work well in any industry where businesses can benefit by pooling resources and buying power, particularly Food and Drink, Tourism, Forestry, Creative Industries and Renewable Energy.

Come along to this event to find out how you can grow your business through collaboration.

Jim Maxwell from Co-operative Development Scotland will describe the consortium co-operative model and how it can be used by a variety of business types. He will also outline the free support which is available to businesses considering this as a way forward.

Chris Kerr from Harper Macleod and Jamie Waugh of Johnston Carmichael will steer you through some of the legal and financial aspects you will need to consider if you are to successfully collaborate.

Also hear and share the experiences of companies already working as part of successful consortia.

Co-operative Development Scotland is a subsidiary of Scottish Enterprise with a specialist role to advise new and growing co-operatives and employee owned businesses across Scotland, complementing the mainstream support provided by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Business Gateway.

Harper Macleod is a locally based law firm with substantial experience in advising family and employee owned businesses and co-operatives.

Johnston Carmichael is one of the leading firms of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in Scotland and has offices across the North East and the Highlands.

To book please contact me at info@moraychamber.co.uk

Lesley Ann Parker Chief Executive Moray Chamber of Commerce
17 Victoria Street Craigellachie
Aberlour-on-Spey, AB38 9SR
Tel: 01340 881226
Mobile: 07887 846495

Date Friday 22nd October
Time 10am-4pm (drop-in)
Cost of event Free
Location Elgin Town Hall, Trinity Place, Elgin, IV30 1UL
Contact name Lynn Allan, Business Gateway, 17 High Street, Elgin, IV30 1EQ
Contact tel. 01343 563 634
Contact email lynn.allan@highland-opportunity.com
Link www.moray.gov.uk/enterprising-moray

No matter what size your company is, or what stage of development you are at, Business Gateway and our partner network can help you to cut costs, optimise cash flow and increase profitability. To find out how, come along to Enterprising Moray on 22nd October from 10am-4pm in Elgin Town Hall.

ENGAGE with over 30 public and private sector partners including: Highlands and Islands Enterprise, The Federation of Small Businesses, Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ritsons Chartered Accountants, Bank of Scotland and Moray Tourism Development Group.

Be INSPIRED by the experiences and success of local entrepreneurs including Rene Looper from Tuminds and Ben Stege from Cumulus IT.

Be INFORMED by a series of topical seminars which will focus on the overall business benefits of investing in activities such as IT optimisation, social media utilisation and focusing on renewables. NETWORK with like-minded Moray businesspeople For further information please go to www.moray.gov.uk/enterprising-moray

Special preview of new work by Francis Boag on

Friday 1 October from 6.30pm to 9pm

at Baxters Highland Village, Fochabers

Gordon Baxter will introduce Francis at 7pm and he will be on hand throughout the evening to answer questions about his work. The shops will be open with a 10% discount on the night!

To book your place please email Diana Baxters or phone: 01343 820393

From Sunday 3rd October until Saturday 6th November the exhibition can be viewed at Just Art’s gallery in Fochabers

Various venues around Moray:

Dufftown:

Fournet House

Friday 24th from 10.30 a.m.

You are invited to come along to our new wellbeing room and meeting place, bien-etre in Fournet House (opposite the chemist) in Balvenie Street in Dufftown on Friday 24th September. We will be open from 10.30 a.m. so please call in to support Macmillan Caner.

Come along and bring a smile every mug will improve the lifes of people affect by cancer.

Bien-etre in Fournet House, Balvenie Street, Dufftown, Keith, AB55 4AB

Elgin:

Johnstons of Elgin

We are proud to be supporting Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning this Friday (24th September). Join us in our Elgin coffee shop between 10am-12noon when we will be serving coffee or tea with shortbread & a scone all for a set price of £2.50!! All proceeds from this event will be going to Macmillan Cancer Support – so come along and show your support for this fantastic event!

Beaver Travel:

Dont forget to pop into Beaver Travel this Friday for the MacMillan Coffee Morning from 9am-5pm. All proceeds from Coffee and tea sales will be donated. See you there!

MacMillan Support web site