WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL
Press Release 20th February 2024
10 BUSINESS SUPPORT EVENTS ANNOUNCED FOR WICKLOW’S LOCAL ENTERPRISE WEEK 2024
Small businesses and budding entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to sample a range of events aimed at helping them to start or grow their business as part of this year’s Local Enterprise Week in Wicklow.
The initiative of Local Enterprise Offices nationwide, supported by Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities, takes place from the 4th to 8th March.
A range of events open to all across County Wicklow will focus on Green for Business, Sustainability, Digital for Business, Exporting and Start up Business Advice clinics.
A flavour of those taking part in Local Enterprise Week includes Maurice Bergin who will deliver a webinar on how to green in the hospitality and tourism business, Liz Bonnin, world-renowned Natural History and Environmental Broadcaster; Blaise Brosnan of MRI Wexford alongside case studies of successful businesses such as The Chocolate Garden, Ri Ra Brewery, ASL SAFETY & TRAINING GROUP and many more.
Cathaoirleach Councillor Aoife Flynn Kennedy commented: “Partaking in Wicklow’s Local Enterprise Week offers a chance for small businesses to focus on key areas, the areas where they can make a real difference for their future ambitions. This may be in relation to digitalization or becoming more sustainable, or those who have ambition to grow internationally and begin the journey identifying new markets. Engaging and networking with your peers along with training and upskilling is recommended if you are a business who wants to grow, internationalise, or innovate, then there is something for you at Local Enterprise Week.”
Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, added “Local Enterprise Week in 2024 offers great opportunities for anybody who wants to start or indeed grow their business to get inspired and motivated. Attending events, networking and training will give you insights and add to your knowledge on important topics that can make a real difference to your business.
The week highlights the range of supports, advice and information available to businesses through their Local Enterprise Office. We would urge everyone to make the most of the week and engage with the team at the Local Enterprise Office throughout the year.”
Vibeke Delahunt, Head of Enterprise, LEO Wicklow, stated: “Local Enterprise Week is a fantastic marker in the road for any business. It’s an opportunity to take stock of where you are, see where you can grow, where you can innovate or maybe become more sustainable and see what resources are available on your doorstep. There is something for everyone and those who maybe always had that ambition to start on their own, or a great idea, this is the week to see how to get started and make it happen.
“There are hundreds of events taking place all over the country covering everything from exporting and digital to going green or growing that idea. We also have two National Spotlight events taking place online and open to everyone that include experts from a range of industries. So online or on your doorstep, I would encourage everyone to check out the schedule of events and get involved.”
The two National Spotlight events are open to everyone and can be accessed online. The first, “Understanding and leveraging future trends for your business” on Wednesday, 6th March, looks at what are the trends that will be emerging in the short and long term and how they will affect business. The session will also delve into how you can adapt and leverage these trends for business success.
The second spotlight event focuses on the area of sustainability. The “Sustainability imperative for business success” session on Thursday, 7th March, will look at how sustainability is becoming a bigger and bigger factor in business survival and success. Headlined by renowned broadcaster and science and environment expert, Liz Bonnin, it will show how the small changes in your business can make a big impact and most importantly how you can start.
Each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices will be running a full programme of events in their area that will tackle a variety of areas relevant to small businesses and starting up. The events are open to all from budding entrepreneurs to established businesses and gives them the opportunity to get expert advice on key areas of business from financial skills, raising funds, exporting and boosting your business online to future trends such as sustainability and digitalization.
Details for all the events taking place across County Wicklow during Local Enterprise Week, from March 4th to 8th, are available https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wicklow/Enterprise-Development/Local-Enterprise-Week-Wicklow/
From L-R: Cathaoirleach Councillor Aoife Flynn Kennedy, Martin Cullen- Local Enterprise Office Wicklow, Business Advisor and Emer O’Gorman- Chief Executive of the Wicklow County Council
For further information:
Local Enterprise Office Wicklow
Email: enterprise@leo.wicklowcoco.ie
Landline: 0404 30800
