Vintners’ Federation coming to town

OVER 300 members of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland will congregate in the Glór Theatre, Ennis, for the organisation’s 37th AGM that will take place on May 11.
In a 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 said, “We are delighted to be going to Clare for the 37th VFI annual general meeting. Glór 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”.
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 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 that will also outline to them the workings of the scheme.