National Ploughing Meets Tullamore & District Chamber in Mucklagh
18th April 2016
The National Ploughing Association met with the Tullamore & District Chamber of Commerce in the new Mucklagh Community Centre this week, to outline plans for the National Ploughing Championships, Europe's largest Outdoor Exhibition and Agricultural Trade Show. The most successful Championships ever last year were attended by 281,000 people and over 1,500 delighted exhibitors.
The 85th National Ploughing Championships will take place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly from Sept 20th – 22nd 2016.
The National Ploughing Association trio of Annemarie McHugh, NPA Assistant Managing Director, PJ Lynam, NPA Chairman, & Anna May McHugh, NPA Managing Director gave a whistle stop presentation regarding the opportunities for the town of Tullamore to maximise the opportunity of hosting such a large scale event. There will be a significant economic benefit to the local, regional and national economy, estimated to be in excess of €36 million. It is up to the local business and agencies to work together maximise the event for Tullamore and the NPA will provide experienced advice and support in whatever way possible. 'People are coming to Tullamore for the Ploughing event and not to go shopping in Tullamore'. The biggest opportunity exists to highlight the Tullamore along with the business brands that exist in the town. It is an opportunity to make a national audience aware of what Tullamore and it's businesses has to offer. Issues discussed included traffic and parking with the NPA meeting regularly with the Gardai on the best Traffic Management Plan options to cater for an event of this scale. Accommodation will be full on a regional basis and locals are encouraged to open their homes and take in lodgers for the week (logon to www.visitoffaly.ie for details).
National businesses taking part in the ploughing will be looking for extra staff for the week and people available to work should register their interest with the NPA.
The event will require over 25km of trackway trade stands and NPA office move in on site in the first week in August. The media will descend on the Tullamore site during the event and live news and documentaries will be recorded all offering promotional opportunities for the Tullamore brand and local businesses.
The Tullamore & District Chamber of Commerce will be reviewing the information available in the coming weeks, meeting with the council and agencies and formulating a co-ordinated strategy to maximise the opportunity for Tullamore. It is also intended to meet regularly with the NPA and communicate information to local businesses and Chamber members. For more details on the National Ploughing Championships visit www.npa.ie or email info@npa.ie - The Chamber will be providing regular updates on the event on http://www.tullamorechamber.com