2 March 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Local Enterprise Office (LEO) South Cork has launched a series of exciting events aimed at stimulating business growth and employment in Cork as part of Local Enterprise Week which will run from March 7th to 11th.
LEO South Cork’s week-long schedule is part of the first nationally co-ordinated ‘Local Enterprise Week’ led by Local Enterprise Offices across Ireland to promote the supports available to entrepreneurs and micro businesses.
15 varied and interesting events including workshops, awards and networking sessions, many of which are free to attend, will be held around the county for new start-ups or anyone thinking of starting or expanding a business.
The programme of events is aimed at developing business skills and it is tailored to offer something for everyone, regardless of whether they want to develop a business idea, start a business or grow an existing enterprise.
A key event during LEO South Cork’s Local Enterprise Week will be breakfast seminar ‘Changing Food Trends’ which will be held in Electric on Wednesday, March 9th which is guaranteed to give attendees food for thought and an opportunity for those in the food sector such as chefs, restaurateurs and producers to share delicious food, celebrate local produce and to connect with one another. This event organised by Taste Cork, which will feature guest speakers Mary Daly, the Irish Food Safety Company and Kevin Ahern of Sage Restaurant is guaranteed to give attendees food for thought.
Supporting young entrepreneurs is key for LEO South Cork. To celebrate and harness their potential and the power of networking, a particular highlight of Local Enterprise Week will be the launch of the Network for Cork’s Young Entrepreneurs – which will take place on Thursday, March 10th in Cork City Gaol. This is the first event of its kind in Ireland to take on from the hugely successful national campaign to find Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur. The event is exclusive to budding entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 with a strong business idea or existing business, and will allow them the opportunity to share resources, collaborate and learn how to communicate visually. Key note speakers on the night will be Eimear McNally from Think Visual, creative consultant Meabh Ring and Arun Kapil from Green Saffron who will describe how communication through packaging is crucial to positioning and attracting sales.
Local Enterprise Week will culminate with LEO South Cork’s Enterprise Awards & Showcase which will be held in County Hall on Friday, March 11th. This will be a pivotal and exciting event where local businesses will compete at a showcase event with a chance to win the top prize of €5,000 and €2,000 for second place. The worthy winner will go on to represent LEO South Cork in the National Enterprise Awards 2016.
Ciara McGee of LEO South Cork said: “Cork is exciting hive of business potential and entrepreneurial spirit and talent which we’re proud to support. We’ve endeavoured to tailor and ensure that our programme of events for Local Enterprise Week provides small businesses and entrepreneurs with information and invaluable tips on all aspects of business – from digital to finance, networking to exporting, procurement to marketing. We’re particularly looking forward to the Network for Cork’s Young Entrepreneurs event in Cork City Gaol especially given the demand, enthusiasm and engagement among young and budding business minds in our search for Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur. ”
To view the LEO South Cork’s full programme of events for Local Enterprise Week visit www.localenterprise.ie/southcork
