Check out our ‘Networking & Events’ section to pencil in some dates for your diary for the New Year!

There was standing room only at the Enterprise Week event at the House of Lords on Friday morning. Over 300 entrepreneurs and SMEs gathered to hear keynote speakers such as Paul Rellis from Microsoft, Justin Keatinge, Managing Director of Version 1 and Nicola Farronato, CEO of b.sm@rk

Paul Rellis in Microsoft spoke about the technological transformations that are taking place and how natural user interfaces such as Kinect will become more pervasive in the near future. It is predicated that in three years time 50% of phones will be smartphones, and according to Rellis one third of those will be on the windows phone platform.

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If you are based in or around Galway make sure you check out this great event, organised by one of our Contributors, Caroline McDonagh, and Developing Enterprises Skillsnet.
‘Breathe Fire into your Business – A Dragons Perspective’ with Sean Gallagher takes place in the Clayton Hotel, Galway from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Tuesday May 10th.

Attendance is free but you must register by emailing developingenterprisesskillnet@gmail.com

The event will focus on the challenges that businesses in the Border, Midlands & Western region are experiencing in today’s harsh economic climate. As an entrepreneur Gallagher understands the challenges of setting up and growing a successful business in Ireland. He is a passionate supporter and campaigner for entrepreneurs and small business owners and will bring with him the message of hope and inspiration in the face of adversity on his visit to Galway.

In addition to Sean Gallagher, speakers will include:

- Seamus Bree, Director, Western Region, Enterprise Ireland

- Breda Fox, CEO, Galway County and City Enterprise Board

- Caroline McDonagh, CEO, WIN – West of Ireland Networking

- Gert O’Rourke, Gert O’Rourke, Training and Development

For more information on Developing Enterprises Skillsnet click here.

Networking is always cited as a key activity for anyone who is starting out or attempting to grow their business. It’s gives people the chance to meet like-minded individuals, learn something new and make contacts which could turn into potential sales for their business. 

As you can see from our calendar, March is proving quite busy in terms of events for entrepreneurs and SMEs across the country, with a number of events focussed on getting ready for export.

Worth checking out to see what’s happening in your area:
Networking and Events

Bank of Ireland is hosting ‘Networking Week’ from 14^th – 18^th February. The event is part of our National Enterprise Programme and allows businesses to meet like minded business owners and entrepreneurs at a series of local networking events. Contact your local Bank of Ireland branch to find out what’s happening in your area.

Find your nearest branch

These type of events, as well as the Show your Business Weeks form part of the bank’s National Enterprise Programme, which is a series of events and initiatives to faciliate business amongst SMEs across the country.

Check out our Events Calendar for more upcoming events.

A new report entitled ‘Stimulating the Agriculture and Rural Economy through the Rural Development Programme’ has been published by the National Rural Network at the Tipperary Institute.

The report which was drawn up by a working group of representatives of rural development agencies and rural organisations makes wide-ranging recommendations on the development of an enterprise culture that will enable rural areas to play a role in economic recovery.

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Next Saturday, September 11^th, Galway plays host to Bizcamp – a free event where entrepreneurs of all disciplines can learn and share experiences with their peers.

Organisers expect that more than 200 Irish entrepreneurs, innovators and recession-rebounding business people will converge on NUI Galway’s Cairnes Business School on Saturday September 11 for the first ever Galway Bizcamp, a conference for networking, learning, and sharing. …