The sun was shining on Thursday when over 150 women gathered at the stunning Carton House to hear three inspirational women – Norah Casey, Joan Burton and Terry McDermot – speak at the Women in Business Enterprise Week event.

Joan Burton, Minister for Social Protection, was the first to speak and opened by saying that the women in the room were inspirational Mna na hEireann 2011.

The numbers of women working and leading in business and politics have shown incremental growth in the last decade. Minister Burton was quick to point out that there are far more women in business than in politics in Ireland but that she was ‘working on it!’

Minister Burton commented that women have a tremendous capacity for working and supporting each other in business and that is why women’s only events are so important. She also spoke of the recently announced Jobs Initiative and the importance of encouraging internships in all areas of business.

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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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Enterprise Week started with a bang on Friday! The national launch was held outside Dublin for the first time, in Limerick.

There was a great buzz about the Strand Hotel where over 350 local business people gathered to hear speakers Richie Boucher, CEO Bank of Ireland, and Michael Noonan, Minister for Finance.

Commenting on the launch, Gillian Horan, All About Business Contributor, said “I thought the event was a great start to this years Enterprise Week! As an SME owner/manager it was not only an informative event but also a great chance for me to network.

Enterprise Week is important because it not only provides me with updated business information but it also allows me to promote my business in a positive supportive environment”.

Positivity and support were the main messages for Bank of Ireland CEO Richie Boucher’s keynote speech. Mr. Boucher spoke about his belief in the future of Ireland. He said that it is up to all of us to restore this confidence in the future and in each other and that Bank of Ireland will be there to offer support for new and existing customers. We spoke to Mr. Boucher after the event and the interview will be available very soon.

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We are delighted to announce that Enterprise Week is back and is set to be better than ever in 2011!

National Enterprise Week will run from 20-27th May. It is about bringing together like-minded local business people and entrepreneurs to share their experiences and knowledge.

The last Enterprise Week, in November 2010, saw almost 4,000 business people attend over 110 events across the country with speakers like social media guru Krishna De and Metro North Project Director Rory O’Connor discussing a wide range of topics.

New to the Enterprise Week events list for 2011 is a specific ‘Women in Business’ event on May 25th in Carton House. Speakers at the event include Dragons’ Den star and publishing entrepreneur Norah Casey and the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton.

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The Agri event, hosted by Band of Ireland in Ballinasloe during National Enterprise Week, truly highlighted the significance of agri business and related enterprises in the Irish economy today and how it can and is playing a lead role in economic recovery.

Over 200 people and 20 exhibitors attended from all over County Galway, including representatives from the IFA, Macra na Feirme, Teagasc and Mountbellew Agricultural College

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To coincide with National Enterprise Week, we produced a print version of allaboutbusiness.ie.

There are exclusive interviews with the Irish Dragons, including newest addition Norah Casey, as well as articles from a range of experts in the fields of technology, social media, finance and innovation.

Packed with business tips, advice, how-to guides, this publication will give SMEs and entrepreneurs valuable insights into how they can progress their business.

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Customers got to enjoy free pizza, chocolate and other discounts were also on offer. For any local businesses that couldn’t show their business they were there in spirit. The branch displayed carrier bags from each business around the bank; allaboutbusiness.ie felt this was a nice touch.

National Enterprise Week was launched on Friday to a full house at the House of Lords in Dublin.

Entrepreneurs and business owners gathered to hear keynote speakers such as the Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Eamonn Ryan and the Lord Mayor of Dublin Gerry Breen. …