INBusiness INCork – Drop In, Engage, Participate - Entrepreneurs and SME’s Showcase and Expo

08 November 2012

Are you an entrepreneur; thinking about starting a business; or already in business? If the answer is "yes" then you need to make your way to the inaugural INBusiness INCork Showcase at City Hall, Cork next Wednesday 14th November, anytime between 8.45am and 2pm.

INBusiness INCork is a not-to-be missed, free of charge, half day event that will open the door of entrepreneurship to anyone interested in starting their own business and for those already in business looking for additional insights into running their own business, and will be the first of its kind in the Cork region.

The extensive expo area, located in City Hall's Concert Hall, will offer entrepreneurs and SME owners the opportunity to link with key support agencies; as well as products and service providers, and learn more about what is required to succeed in today's economy. The showcase, which marks Global Entrepreneurship Week for the Cork region, will offer an excellent opportunity to identify information sources, network with peers, and engage with like-minded individuals in a highly focused and informative networking setting.

A number of speaker-based, interactive workshops and case studies will run throughout the morning, right up to 2pm, in the Millennium Hall, giving those in attendance the opportunity to engage one-to-one, within a group setting, with experts and seasoned entrepreneurs such as Dragons' Den investor, Gavin Duffy, who will deliver the opening address.

Organisers are encouraging anyone who is interested to come along at a time convenient to them and learn more. Siobhán Finn, Cork innovates Coordinator said "We're inviting people to drop in, engage, participate - the great thing about this FREE event is that there is no obligation to stay for the entire event, people are free to drop in at a time convenient to them. Anyone in the region who is thinking of starting their own business, or who is looking to grow their business should be at INBusiness INCork on Wednesday. Throughout the day they will be able to engage with all of our stakeholders who are a key resource to any business - whatever stage they are at."

Wednesday's, INBusiness INCork Showcase marks the official launch of Cork innovates, whose shared vision is to actively support the creation of new sustainable jobs and encourage regional economic wealth by connecting Cork entrepreneurial and business community within the region and beyond. Cork innovates is an initiative of the Cork Entrepreneurship Steering Group (CESG), is funded under the CASP Framework by Cork County and City Councils, and is hosted by the Cork Chamber of Commerce.

The initiative sees the coming together, for the first time ever, of specific public and private sector stakeholders, who have an interest in and/ or commitment to job creation and the delivery of entrepreneurial supports (educational, financial, mentoring etc.) in the Cork region.  The group comprises of County & City Enterprise Boards, Enterprise Ireland, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, UCC, CIT, South West Regional Authority, Cork BIC and Cork Chamber of Commerce along with a number of entrepreneurs from the region.

INBusiness INCork on Wednesday 14th November is completely FREE to attend, and doors open at 8.45am.

For more information or to register your attendance, visit www.corkinnovates.com.  You can keep up to date on all the latest news by following on @corkinnovates on Twitter and using #corkinnovates.

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INBUSINESS INCORK SCHEDULE - NOVEMBER 14TH

8.45am  Registration - Showcase opens to the public

9.15am  MC: John Mullins (CEO, Bord Gais)

9.30am  Opening Address: Making you choice of entrepreneurship work for you!  Gavin Duffy (Dragons' Den Investor and Entrepreneur)

OPTIONAL INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS AND CASE STUDIES

10.00am Opportunity for everyone... anytime!  Jayne Ronayne (Uryearbook.com) and Myles Murray (PMD Solutions)

10.15am Going with the flow!  Margaret Smith (Umnumnum Boutique Cookery School)

10.30am Where to find assistance at the beginning of your journey  Cork County and City Enterprise Boards

10.45am MC: Conor Keane (Business Editor, Irish Examiner)

11.30am The franchise model - business success without reinventing the wheel  Robert Quinlan (Caremark)

11.45am Life after Apple - building Crest Solutions  Frank Madden (Crest Solutions)

12.00pm Practical overview of all the finance available to start and grow a business today  CorkBic

12.15pm Starting and scaling high potential export focused companies  Enterprise Ireland

1.15pm  Global is the new local!  Kevin O'Leary (Qumas)

1.30pm  Succeeding in challenging times  Frankie Sheehan (Front Row)

1.45pm  Showcase closes