Event Details:

Date:           Friday, March 6th, 2026

Time:          8.45 am – 10.45 am

Venue:        Cavan Digital Hub, Kilmore Business Park, Dublin Road, Cavan H12 PD82

Theme:       Making It Happen: Growing Your Business with Smart Support & AI

Attendance Fee:

• Members: Free (plus bring a guest for FREE) 
• Additional Guests/Non Members: €25 - (Non members please click this link to book)
• Booking is essential as places is limited

Why attend?

Celebrate International Women's Day & Local Enterprise Week 2026:  

• Join like-minded women in business to mark this special occasion, recognising achievements and supporting each other’s growth.
• This is also the final event of a very busy Local Enterprise Week from LEO Cavan.
• Enjoy a practical, inspiring morning, focused on real business growth, local support from LEO Cavan, and how AI can actually help your business today.

Mini Workshop:

A Practical Guide to AI in Business by Claire Cunningham, Co-Founder, Aura Internet Services

This session is designed specifically for non-technical business owners and will cover:

• A clear, straightforward introduction to AI in business
• Real-world examples of how AI is already being used by SMEs
• How AI can:
  • Save time
  • Reduce admin
  • Improve customer service
  • Boost marketing output
  • Help generate presentations and content
• No technical background required—just a practical, friendly guide to getting started

Panel Discussion: Making It Happen – Developing & Growing a Business

Hear from three Cavan Women in Business Network members as they share:

• Their business journeys
• How they grew and scaled their businesses
• The role Local Enterprise Office Cavan played in their development
• The value of peer support and CWBN membership

Guest Speakers

Niamh Smyth T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation

Minister Smyth will officially launch the event and address the members.

Conor Craven, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Cavan

Claire Cunningham

Co-Founder, Aura Internet Services

Claire is a highly experienced digital strategist, trainer, and mentor who has supported SMEs across Ireland since 1996.

• Renowned for her practical, security-focused approach
• Extensive experience delivering mentoring and training through:
  • Enterprise Ireland
  • Local Enterprise Offices nationwide
• Specialises in:
  • Digital strategy
  • Customer experience optimisation
  • Secure and effective online practices

Qualifications & Experience include:

• Diploma in Legal Studies, King’s Inns (2023)
• Cyber Security Bootcamp for Women (2022)
• AWS Solutions Architect Training (2020)
• Google AdWords Specialist Certification
• Background in Training & Continuing Education and Computer Science

Claire also plays a key role in regional digital development as:

• Chair of Digital Monaghan
• Chair of Enterprising Monaghan

Panel Discussion Speakers:

Breda McHugh

Co-Founder, CompliPlus – Health & Safety Consultancy

• Based in Virginia, Co. Cavan
• Over 25 years’ experience providing health & safety consultancy and training
• Works with businesses of all sizes across Ireland and beyond
• Passionate about making workplaces safer through:
  • Innovative solutions
  • Tailored consultancy
  • Engaging training
• CompliPlus combines hands-on consultancy with a user-friendly online platform to help businesses stay compliant and protect their workforce
• They are preparing to launch, in 2026, a brand-new in-house–developed app called CompliPlus 360, which promises to make health and safety compliance even easier. 
• Breda has been a member of Cavan Women in Business Network since its launch in 2013

Carmel Smith

Co-Founder, Hybrid Energy Group

• Co-founder of an award-winning, Guaranteed Irish, family-run business
• Founded in 2009 with a mission to bring sustainability to homes and businesses across Ireland
• Provides smart renewable technologies including:
  • Solar PV systems
  • Heat pumps
  • Mechanical ventilation
  • LED lighting solutions
  • EV Chargers
• SEAI approved and registered installer
• Strong focus on employee training and development
• Actively contributing to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and carbon reduction goals
• Carmel is a member of Cavan Women in Business Network

Sandra Thompson

Co-Founder, IO Agri

• Brings a strong background in business, technology, agriculture, and sustainability.
• Mission: To sustainably decarbonise livestock housing.
• IO Agri's cutting-edge patented technology enables agriculture to reuse greenhouse gas emissions from livestock housing as valuable feedstock for renewable energy production.
• A member of Cavan Women in Business Network

  

  Susan Leonard

  Business Advisor, Local Enterprise Office Cavan

  Susan will outline:

  • The range of supports available from Local Enterprise Office Cavan
  • How LEO supports can help businesses start, develop, and grow

  Event Chair & MC:

  

    

  Margaret McKeon-Boyle

  Managing Director / Founder – Extensive PR Ltd

  Margaret, the coordinator of Cavan Women in Business Network on behalf of Local Enterprise Office Cavan, will act as the Master of Ceremonies and Panel Facilitator for this event.

   

  Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to learn, connect and be inspired by real stories, practical tools and expert support.

  Joining the Cavan Women in Business Network – entitles you to

  • attend all meetings and
  • bring a guest for FREE to all meetings   

  CLICK HERE for more information and to join