Looking Further and Thinking Bigger - Advice, Inspiration, Opportunities and Partnerships

20 October 2009

CORKMEET 2009 from 11th - 13th November, is offering businesses throughout Ireland advice and inspiration on how to grow and expand, as well as information on how to identify opportunities and partnerships in new markets, in order to survive and thrive in these challenging times.  Organised by Trading Link Cork, with the Irish Examiner as Media Partner, CORKMEET 2009 is the biggest networking event in Ireland, offering three days of business introductions, one-to-one meetings and networking sessions with up to 300 companies from Ireland and Europe, as well as the much anticipated business seminar on Friday 13th November  with keynote speaker David McWilliams. 

McWilliams is well-known as the first economist to predict the 1990's boom in Ireland which later became known as the "Celtic Tiger".  He has since become a popular radio broadcaster and documentary-maker with TV3 and RTÉ, as well as being the author of two books, The Pope's Children and The Generation Game.  More recently, he has been widely recognised for his warnings of the demise of the Irish property market, along with calls for radical political and exchange rate changes in Ireland.  His keynote speech at CORKMEET 2009 will have a more positive theme:  "Looking Further and Thinking Bigger". 

Micheál Martin, T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs will give the Opening Address at the seminar, which will be followed by advice and inspiration from a number of successful guest speakers, including Paul Condon, Chairman of the Irish Exporters Association Southern Region who will address the question "Why Export?" and will discuss things to consider when looking at new markets.

Claire Minogue from Enterprise Ireland will give an introduction to the First Flight Programme for companies looking to export, while innovation consultant - Sean McNulty will share practical insights on how businesses can be innovative.  Michael O'Brien from PharmEng will speak about how his company combined business know-how, technical expertise and innovation.

The second part of the seminar is all about opportunities and partnerships.  Trevor Cayless from UK Trade and Invest will outline some of the opportunities that exist in the UK, including public works contracts for the London Olympics 2012 and Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014.  Finally, John Concannon from JFC Manufacturing will talk about his company's experience in targeting new markets and identifying partnerships abroad.  There will be an opportunity for Q&A with the speakers during the course of the seminar.

The seminar will round up what promises to be three days of focused and effective business networking, where companies will be able to make direct contact with potential Irish and international clients, develop new business links, and learn more about doing business internationally from the experts.

CORKMEET 2009 is open to companies throughout Ireland and three-day tickets are just €120 per person.  An on-line registration system allows companies to create a unique profile and request meetings with potential partners at the event's one-to-one business meetings which will take place all day on Thursday 12th November.

Anyone interested in registering for CORKMEET 2009 should do so as soon as possible as spaces are limited and there is already strong on-line activity.  To register, or for up to the minute information on CORKMEET 2009, visit www.corkmeet.ie or call (026) 20520.