Women doing it for themselves! Network Cork's 2010 Business Awards

11 May 2010

The Network Cork 2010 Women in Business Awards took place on Friday afternoon, 7th May. The Awards, organised by Network Cork, part of a national organisation for women in business, profession and the arts, was in association with Kean Business and Brook Catering.

Set in the spectacular Vertigo, Cork County Hall, Cork born personality Gerald Kean, one of Ireland's top solicitors and Editor of Kean Business was guest Speaker at the Event - assisted by gorgeous TV3's Elaine Crowley, who was MC and Awards Presenter on the day.

After a wonderful Champagne reception and sumptuous four course lunch, courtesy of Brook Catering, over 100 business women joined together in anticipation to find out who would be the much deserved winners!  President Sandra Murphy, welcomed guests to the event and noted the air of positivity in the room "As we gather today with some of the leading business women in Cork, it is so great to be in the company of such inspiring women.  We may have three overall winners today, but I believe we are all winners, not just surviving, but thriving in business.  It is so great to feel such a positive atmosphere here today, with everyone enjoying mixing in such a beautiful location, getting valuable networking done, but also enjoying a day away from the usual stresses of everyday business life."

Sandra went on to thank the judges: - Kevin O'Callaghan, O'Callaghan Lotty, Claire Nash, Nash 19 and Tommy Gibbons of AIB Bank.  "By their own words they had extremely difficult decisions to make and with record numbers of entries, we thank them all so much for their time and consideration."

Next to speak was Gerald Kean, "What a wonderful gathering of business in Cork that I experienced today at the Network lunch. The enthusiasm and energetic nature of how these women are coping with developing their business in the current difficulties is a very positive indication that Ireland is emerging from its recent turbulent period."

After lunch Elaine Crowley announced the overall winners with the assistance of President Sandra Murphy.    The Winners were as follows:-

• Network Businesswoman (self-employed) of the Year - Yvonne Farrar, Kanvas Communications Consultants.
• Network Businesswoman (new business) of the Year - Pamela Morrissey - Sobe Browns.

• Network Businesswoman (employee) of the Year - Renate Murphy of Cork Chamber.

 

Network President Sandra Maher stated "We have been holding these awards since the late 80's and they are such an inspiration to the women of Cork and we are very proud of everyone, even those who lost out on the day."

There was also a special commendation to Mary Leahy from Town & County Hampers, and Yvonne Farrar Kanvas was awarded the Keanes Perpetual Cup. 

The Network Business Awards Co-ordinator, Audrey Burke McCarthy states, "The day was such a success. Our glamorous MC Elaine Crowley did a great job as did our guest speaker Gerald Kean with his words of wisdom and thanks as well go to Sharon O'Donoghue and the team at Brook Catering for providing such a fantastic venue with a beautiful lunch."

As well as receiving the prestigious award and the opportunity of representing Network Cork at the national level in October, the winners also received numerous prizes, most of which have been generously sponsored by Network Cork members including:

• Bespoke Network Cork Business Awards Trophy
• A business profile and advertising worth €1,500 sponsored by RSVP/Kean Business
• Exclusive business/marketing/web optimisation mentoring from a panel of experts
• Prestigious health spa vouchers
• Business Portraits

For further information visit www.networkcork.com

 

End

Editor's NotesNetwork Cork provides a forum where women in business, the professions and the Arts can exchange business ideas and increase their business contacts. It encourages women to achieve more satisfying careers and promotes women as worthy contributors to the Irish economy. It liaises with national and international organisations and creates links with Government and State bodies.

Network Cork holds monthly networking meetings where a guest speaker is invited to educate, inform and entertain on topics of interest to women. Members can develop and pool their individual skills through interaction with other women in a supportive environment which offers, training, mentoring and an opportunity for women who call on other members with specialist expertise for help. It also provides a forum for established women to develop professional and social contacts.Within the Network Ireland constitution, the organisation is committed to:

• Provide a forum where women in Business, the Professions, and the Arts can exchange ideas and increase their business contacts
• Encourage women to achieve more satisfying careers
• Market the skills and expertise of Network members
• Liaise with National Organisations
• Promote women as worthy contributors to the Irish economy and decision-making bodies and liaise with National Organisations
• Create links into local / national government and state bodies
• Promote a high standard of ethics in business

• Through the joint effort of members to promote the welfare of the community

 

Kean Business Magazine is Irish solicitor and businessman Gerald Kean's personal contribution to stimulating the Irish economy for the business sector and in particular the home, small and medium businesses of Ireland.  Part of the RSVP Media Group, Kean Business, under the direction of Gerald Kean is aiming to make the magazine the largest circulating business magazine on the island of Ireland and it is anticipated that up to 60,000 copies of the magazine will be in circulation within the first year of business. 

For further information on Kean Business and for subscription offers visit www.keanbusiness.ie

Brook CateringUsing high quality meats, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, dairy and bakery products, Brook Catering is one of Ireland's leading outside and on-site catering companies.  Established in 2007 by Liam Murphy (Group Managing Director), Kieran Callinan (General Manager) and Sharon O'Donoghue (Sales & Marketing Manager), Brook Catering have offices in Cork and Dublin and are currently directly employing 46 people. They pride themselves on bringing a 5 star experience to any location where they operate. For further details visit www.brookcatering.com.