Trading Online Seminar - Regional Event

23rd May 2017

This free event aims to help small businesses reach a wider market online

A major free regional event to improve the online trading and the market reach of businesses in the South East and Midlands Region will take place in the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny on Tuesday, 23rd May from 9.30am – 1.30pm. The objective is to encourage more business in the region to consider trading online.

Hosted by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Kilkenny, in partnership with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and LEOs in Carlow, Laois, Waterford, Tipperary, Wexford, Kildare and Wicklow this Trading Online Event will provide business people from the region with information on supports to start trading online as well as insights to identify emerging trends to help grow their share of online business.

Local Enterprise Offices in Kilkenny and the surrounding counties have helped more than 850 businesses to grow their online revenues and presence with support from the Government’s Trading Online Voucher Scheme.

As well as a panel discussion with top industry experts including representatives from Done Deal, RTÉ, and Shopify Plus, this focused morning event will cover topics ranging from developing a powerful marketing strategy, to engaging audiences through social channels and emerging trends, to telling your own unique business story.

Industry Experts will take to the stage, along with local businesses who can share their practical experiences.

Speaking of the event, Denis Naughten, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment said:

“Ireland needs more businesses selling their goods and services on the internet.  Any business that is not actively connecting with consumers online is missing out. Irish consumers spend €14,000 per minute online, €10,000 of that spending goes offshore. This regional event aims to create momentum and activate businesses to trade online, as well as highlight the opportunity of my Department’s Trading Online Voucher Scheme.

I want to significantly increase uptake of the Scheme across every city, provincial town and rural area so that thousands more businesses reap the benefits in terms of increased growth, sales and exports. Trading online works. Business who have been through the Trading Online Voucher Scheme grow on average by 21%, and 3 in 5 export for the first time. Importantly, urban and rural based businesses benefit equally from this online opportunity”.

Acting Head of Enterprise with LEO Kilkenny, Fiona Deegan, highlighted the importance of online trade to local businesses:

“Trading online can make local businesses more sustainable and helps to create additional local jobs. This event offers businesses the support and advice to maximise the opportunities provided by the Trading Online Voucher Scheme from Local Enterprise Offices.”

The event is free of charge, early booking is recommended and the event can be booked online throughwww.localenterprise.ie/Kilkenny

For further information please contact your Local Enterprise Office – www.localenterprise.ie

Event Outline

Date:     Tuesday 23rd May 2017

Time:     9.30am – 1.30pm - Lunch provided

Location:  Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny

Book online – http://bit.ly/2pRDVFe

The event will feature:

• Basic introduction on how to trade online
• Q&A with local businesses who have established a successful trading online presence
• Ask the industry experts with representatives from 
• Connect with other businesses and suppliers

Scheme Overview

Even though there is currently an increasing trend in online spending it is estimated that only 23% of small Irish businesses use eCommerce in any meaningful way. It is estimated that of all online purchases made in Ireland 70% are done in overseas markets.

There is a critical need to encourage small Irish businesses to develop their digital presence to avoid missed opportunities. In order to support this goal, the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources (DCENR) has launched a Trading Online Voucher Scheme and has teamed up with the Local Enterprise Offices to roll out the scheme under the National Digital Strategy.

The Trading Online Voucher Scheme offers small businesses the opportunity to develop their website or digital marketing strategy by availing of vouchers of up to €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure.

Eligibility Criteria

• Vouchers will be available to a maximum value of €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure (Exclusive of VAT), whichever is the lesser
• Voucher approval must be gained prior to incurring any expense
• Own labour is not an eligible expense
• Third party costs only will be considered
• All third party/supplier invoices must contain proper business details (e.g. Tax and Business Registration details).

 Eligible Projects

• Limited Online Trading presence
• Less than 10 employees
• Turnover less than €2m
• Applicant business must be registered and trading for at least 12 months

 Ineligible Projects

• Companies with charitable status, commercial semi-state companies, “not for profit” organisations, trade associations and company representation bodies such as Chambers of Commerce are not eligible to participate in the innovation voucher initiative
• Professional services specialising in IT type services who are already capable of trading online using existing in-house systems
• Conferences and Seminars
• Projects which are contrary to public policy
• Duplication of support for projects which would be eligible for assistance from other State Agencies of EU funded Operational Programmes
• Projects with employees in excess of 10 people
• Projects deemed to be capable of proceeding in any event without scheme assistance i.e. deadweight
• Projects essentially comprising importation and distribution

What the vouchers CAN be used for

• IT consultation
• Development or upgrade of an e-commerce website
• Implementing Online payments or booking systems
• Purchase of Internet related software
• Purchase of online advertising (this purchase cannot make up any more than 30% of approved Voucher costs and can only be drawn down in one payment phase)
• Developing an app (or multiplatform webpages)
• Implementing a digital marketing strategy i.e. Social media marketing
• Consultation with ICT experts for early stage adopters of online strategy
• Training/skills development specifically to establish and manage an on-line trading activity

 What the vouchers CANNOT be used for

• Development of brochure websites
• Purchase of non-internet related software
• Anything other than online trading related activity