24 July 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
File photo: 2015 president Helen Wycherley, Celtic Ross Hotel passing on the chain to the 2016 president of Network Cork Joan Walsh, Partnership International, earlier this year. Pic Darragh Kane.
Network Ireland, the national organisation driving the personal and professional development of women is hosting its annual conference in Cork City on Friday 30th September. The theme of the conference is “Fearless Ambition” and will feature a range of national and international business people, motivational speakers and influencers discussing risk taking and why we need to be fearless when it comes to business and careers. As with all Network Ireland events, there will be a strong degree of networking at the conference, giving delegates ample opportunities to engage on a one-to-one basis with business leaders, influencers and peers.
The event which is the organisation’s flagship event is being partnered by Cork City Council, together with Network Ireland’s national partners AIB and Vodafone. The conference will be supported by Enterprise Ireland with Business & Finance Magazine as the Official Conference Media Partner. Following on from the Conference there will be a special Gala Dinner in the Clarion where the Network Ireland Business Awards will take place. At this event the regional winners from Network Ireland’s regional awards, will compete for the coveted national awards.
President of Network Ireland Deirdre Waldron and founder of Fuzion Communications, whose head office is based in Cork stated “I am delighted to be announcing that we are bringing our flagship event back to Cork this year. Our city is so pro business and all of our members travelling from the four corners of the country will get to see first hand what a special place Cork is to do business. As well as a warm and inviting experience in Cork, my wish for delegates is for them to return home with ideas and encouragement to take their careers or their businesses to the next level, helping them to become leaders within their own business communities and their organisations – being even more fearless and ambitious than they already are.”
Ann Doherty CEO Cork City Council, who was also present for today’s announcement stated “We in Cork City Council are looking forward to welcoming some of the most talented professional women and entrepreneurs to Cork in September. We already have a strong relationship with the Cork branch of Network Ireland, which is the biggest branch in Ireland. We are going to do everything in our power to ensure that delegates get to experience everything that our fantastic city has to offer, including a special ceremony with our Lord Mayor, Cllr Des Cahill and the Cork business community on the eve of the Conference – welcoming the many women in business from all over Ireland to our fantastic city.”
Over the next few weeks announcements will be made regarding the lineup of guest speakers and panelists for the various interactive discussions. Already confirmed is Hayley Barnard – founder and MD of MIX Diversity Developers, an internationally respected communications consultant who will be talking about raising the bar on our careers and businesses by being resilient and brave. Chairing the Conference will be Newstalk’s Jonathan Healy and MC for the Gala Dinner and Awards will be businesswoman, broadcaster and humanitarian Maria Walsh.
