Network Ireland’s International Women’s Day Friday 8th March 2013 Growing Momentum Featuring Mad Men Era Advertising Legend Friday 8th March 2013, Western Room, River Lee Hotel, Cork City 1pm – 6pm

20 February 2013

Supported by the European Parliament Information Office, Cork City Council and Irish Tatler the half day conference, titled “Growing Momentum” will feature a wide range of speakers who will inspire, motivate and energise with a theme of positivity with no boundaries.  

Keynote speaker will be Jane Maas, author of international best seller “Mad Women”, the other side of life on Madison Avenue in the ‘60’s and beyond and award winning creative director.    Jane has been an agency creative director and president; responsible for the iconic “I Y New York” (I love New York).   Jane will be talking about her own journey, rising up the corporate ladder in the very male dominated era of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s.  She will be talking about how much has changed, but on the flip side, how much has remained the same.

Each speaker will focus on their own unique career path and their insights into women leading full lives that incorporate business, professions, families, work in their communities - and the delicate job of balancing everything. The speakers will range from entrepreneurs, women working for large multinationals, women in political life, to women working in the public sector. 

Conference Organiser and President of Network Cork, Deirdre Waldron stated “It’s important to us that we have a diverse range of speakers so that it reflects the very diverse membership that we now have.  Traditionally Network was very much for the SME sector, but now it has opened up to include multinational organisations, public sector professionals, artists and event sports people.  This conference reflects the new diversity that Network Ireland offers women in business.”

The first part of the event will deal with the supports that are out there for women in business and speakers will include Phil Prendergast MEP, Áine Collins TD as well as Sarah Abbott  from EMC who will talk about their innovative Women’s Leadership Forum.  Phil Prendergast stated “I’m delighted to be in Cork to celebrate International Women’s Day with such a dynamic group of business women.  It will be a great opportunity for me to meet with them and chat about their needs and issues as well as an opportunity to discuss the supports and opportunities in Europe for Women in Business.

President of Network Ireland, Julia Lynes will be speaking about her own experiences running her international business, EazyCity and stated “I have gained so many invaluable insights from other business women, including my Network colleagues in our many branches throughout Ireland.  As business women, we have a lot to learn from each other and in Network Ireland we proactively support other women in their working lives.   This conference will be an extension of this support system and will be so valuable for every person attending.”

Ruth Buckley, Head of ICT and Business Services, Cork City Council will also be taking to the podium and talking about her work in Cork City Council.  Ruth stated “Following on the success of the Global Technology Leaders’ Summit in City Hall in January, and the In Business In Cork event late last year, Cork City Council is delighted to support Network Ireland in celebrating International Women’s Day.  As Cork’s prosperity is based on attracting talented people and assisting them to reach their potential, the conference will influence our future policies.”

Norah Casey, CEO of Harmonia and Publisher of Irish Tatler, is delighted to be associated with the International Women’s Day – Growing Momentum Conference as official Media Partner. “Irish Tatler has a long standing reputation for supporting and encouraging women in business.  International Women’s Day is the perfect opportunity to bring together women from all areas of business to learn from and inspire each other”

MC for the day will be Network Cork member, Deirdre O’Shaughnessy, Editor of The Cork Independent, Panellist on Newstalk and Tonight with Vincent Browne.

 

Tickets to the Conference are limited, but are open to non-members as well as members.  Tickets are priced at €45 for members and €65 for non-members and include lunch at 1pm.  Visit www.networkcork.com for more information on the event.   Guests wishing to extend their visit to Cork, can avail of special accommodation rates at the River Lee Hotel by calling the hotel directly on (021) 425 2700.

END

ITINERARY

1pm                      Registration & Light Networking Lunch

1:45pm                Deirdre Waldron, President Network Cork to introduce Conference and pass over to Francis Jacobs, Head of European Parliament information Office, who in turn introduces

                              Deirdre O’Shaughnessy – MC for the Day

2pm                      Supports for Women in Business

·       Phil Prendergast MEP – EU Supports, Changes in EU Regulations, Gender Quotas

·       Julia Lynes, National President Network Ireland & Owner EazyCity –  Using our own Networks – Making use of our contacts/resources/support mechanisms

·       Sarah Abbott, Senior Director, Human Resources, EMC Ireland – Best Practices, Employers playing their part, How EMC has gotten it right, globally and locally. 

·       Aine Collins TD – Supports for the SME Sector

3:15pm                Power Break! 

3:45pm                The Journey of Women in Business

·       Jane Maas – Then & Now: What’s changed & what’s the very same!

·       Heidi Higgins, Fashion Designer &  Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Fashion– Life as a Young Female Entrepreneur

·       Ruth Buckley, Head of ICT and Business Services, Cork City Council 

·       Gillian Keating – JW O’Donovan Solicitors & incoming President of Cork Chamber

5pm                      Panel Discussion/Q&A : “What’s Next?” for Women in Business

Looking at new EU directives, use of new technologies, the digital era, and where all of this will take us. 

5:45pm                Post Event Drinks Reception & Networking