ENTERPRISE WEEK TO STIMULATE JOB CREATION IN FINGAL
Fingal Local Enterprise Office announces details of “Local Enterprise Week 2017” scheduled for 5th to 11th March
Fingal Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is one of 31 across Ireland that has announced a series of exciting initiatives aimed at stimulating business activity locally. During the event last year LEO Fingal welcomed more than 1,600 business owner/managers to the various business events in Fingal.
Local Enterprise Offices around the country will run hundreds of events during the week 5th to 11th of March, with the ultimate aim being to create jobs among small businesses and also to encourage those with a business idea to pursue their dream.
Oisin Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise in Fingal welcomed the new initiative, saying:
“There are plenty of business opportunities out there, but you have to go out and find them. We want to help small businesses to identify opportunities for growth. Equally importantly, anyone with a viable plan for a new business needs to be encouraged to pursue their dream. The Local Enterprise Week initiative is a brilliant platform for us to stimulate job creation locally and throughout the country”.
Speaking at the launch of the Local Enterprise Week initiative in Fingal, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council Paul Reid commented:
“As a local authority, Fingal County Council sees part of its remit as encouraging, supporting and assisting those running small businesses. We do that in many ways though our Local Enterprise Office and Local Enterprise Week is one of the initiatives that can really assist the local business community. We also provide support to business through our actions as a Council. Having the lowest commercial rates of the four Dublin Local Authorities, for example, assists in the stimulation of the local economy and provides the foundation for job creation within Fingal.”
A wide variety of initiatives are planned in Fingal with Dublin Airport Authority kicking off Enterprise Week on Monday 6th March. John Bolger, Head of Concessions in DAA will explain how to go about “Doing Business at Dublin Airport”. This seminar will inform food producers and food retailers on how to open a food outlet in the lucrative Dublin Airport.
Also on Monday a business breakfast will be hosted by Howth Sutton Baldoyle Chamber on the topic of how to increase productivity through a “Wellness at Work” programme.
On Tuesday 7th of March, a major breakfast conference will be held in the Carlton Airport Hotel on the topical issue of BREXIT and how it will impact on Dublin based businesses. Some of the leading thinkers on BREXIT will share their views and help businesses to prepare for the long term implications of the UK’s imminent triggering of Article 50. Julie Sinnamon, Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland will be joined by John McGrane of the British Irish Chamber, Simon MacAllister of EY, Patricia Callan of the Small Firms Association and renowned economist Dr Edgar Morgenroth of the ESRI.
Local entrepreneur Tom Keogh of Keogh’s Crisps is the keynote speaker at The Linc Centre on Wednesday 8th March where the theme is “Raising Finance for your Business.” This is an excellent opportunity to learn first-hand how to raise finance for your business, specifically aimed at start-up companies and SMEs. Wednesday is also International Women’s Day, and so a Dublin regional business networking event has been planned for the evening in Dublin City Centre, featuring the “Fingal Enterprising Women” network.
In conjunction with Plato Dublin and IBM, on the morning of Thursday 9th, businesses attending at IBM’s campus will learn about the importance of Data Protection. Also that morning the Fingal Dublin Chamber will host a “Business Breakfast with Aer Lingus”.
A workshop on “Smart Selling” will help owner managers of small businesses to learn how to improve their selling skills through an interactive workshop in Drinan Enterprise Centre.
The highlight of the week will be “FEARLESS 2017 – The Entrepreneur’s Journey” featuring Conall O’Móráin of The Sunday Business Show on Today FM. Held in The Riasc Centre in Swords, this event promises to be an exciting learning and networking experience for businesses from all across Fingal. Six newly established and successful entrepreneurs will relay how they have overcome challenges in their business, and all six will be competing for the coveted prize, the “Fingal Enterprise Award winner 2017” which will be announced on the evening.
The following morning, Friday 12th March, Balbriggan Chamber will host a breakfast with Nicola Byrne of 11890 and Cloud 90, addressing the topical issue of Cyber Security and how you can keep your Business Cyber Safe.
A seminar will also feature on Friday with the topic “Public Procurement for Small Business”, in the Crowne Plaza, Blanchardstown. SME owner managers will learn how to secure a share of the €90 billion in public works, supplies and services which will be procured by the Irish Government over the next five years.
Saturday 11th March sees the conclusion of Local Enterprise Week with a full day Start Your Own Business boot camp to help anyone seeking to set up a new business.
Most events are completely free of charge, though a nominal fee applies to some. To find out more, visit www.localenterprise.ie/fingal.
