Presenting a vision for Cork as the fulcrum of the Southern Region, Cork Chamber has made a submission to Government on the National Planning Framework calling for a realignment of planning and investment in favour of density and urban growth.

The submission also highlights the need for national planning policies to protect a high quality of life and place.

The National Planning Framework will set the strategic planning and development context for the Ireland and all its regions in the period between now and 2040, thus determining where future public investment in housing, services, jobs and transport will be required.  

Last year our colleagues in Eurochambres introduced a policy initiative entitled - Burden Tracker. The aim of this initiative is to   identify specific pieces of EU legislation that create significant burdens for businesses, with a particular focus on SMEs. By gathering anecdotal evidence from across the Single Market, Eurochambres aims to analyse and discuss the evidence gathered and present a persuasive case to the Commission and other actors involved in the REFIT Platform for the reform of the legislation- to make it more SME friendly, and therefore making it easier for Irish businesses to be competitive (particularly important in light of Brexit). The legislation that has been identified this year is Regulation No. 1169-2011 on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers.

As such, and in trying to assist towards altering/ easing burdensome practices, Cork Chamber request your assistance as we are hoping to collect a handful of case studies from companies who have experienced difficulties in implementing the regulations regarding the provision of food information to consumers. See read more for further informaton. 

 Survey of CSR practices across Irish Businesses – closes April 14^th

The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (DJEI) invites you to participate in a baseline study of CSR practices across Irish businesses. This research will contribute to the preparation by DJEI of Ireland’s second National Plan on CSR.  More information on this CSR research project, is online

Date: Tuesday 25^th April
Time: 5.30pm – 7.00pm
Venue: Clayton Hotel Silversprings
FREE for Cork Chamber members
BOOK HERE!

Cork Chamber is delighted to be partnering with Clayton Hotel Silversprings for the April Business After Hours Networking Event.
 
One of Cork’s best loved four star hotels, Clayton Hotel Silversprings reopened its newly constructed ballroom, meeting & events centre in November 2016, following  a complete redesign and significant reconstruction.  The centre incorporates carefully considered design features, modern technology which ultimately compliments the smooth running of any event. 
 
As always, there will be lots of networking opportunities, delicious food and drink as well as prizes to be won, so come along and see the fabulous new Clayton Hotel Silversprings and put a spring in YOUR networking step!

Date: Friday, 21st April
Time: 11am - 1pm
Venue: G03, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork
Cost: FREE but registration is essential
Register: HERE

The Irish Association for Contemporary European Studies (IACES) 2017 Annual Lecture will feature Michael Russell MSP, Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe. In particular, he will discuss the implications of Brexit for the UK, Scotland and Ireland. He will also address the Irish dimension to Brexit and what this means for future Scottish-Irish political and economic relations. This event is a unique opportunity to engage directly with Scotland’s ‘Brexit’ Minister.


The Minister’s lecture will be followed by Q&A and a light lunch. Contact IACES for further information.

Date: Tuesday, 13th June
Venue: Cork (exact location TBC)

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) at Cork Chamber, in association with the EU SME Centre in China, will host a FREE ‘Food and Beverage Online Selling Workshop’ on the morning of Tuesday, 13th June in Cork.

Further details will follow shortly but to register your interest, contact Eimear. 

Delighted to announce the launch of our new lunch time Be Better @ Series! Come join us in Cork Chamber offices for a bite sized learning opportunity! Lunch and Networking provided!

May 11th, 18th and 25th 12.30pm-2.00pm - €30 each or €75 for all three!

Be Better @ Digital Marketing (May 11^th) - What does a business need to know in 2017 and in the future to sustain and get attention in a globalised world?

Be Better @ Reaching Your Potential (May 18^th) - This masterclass is designed to educate and engage -you the audience –on how to accelerate your mind set into growth and to become more resilient. 

Be Better @ I.T (May 25^th) - Subjects covered will be Word, Excel & working productively with Outlook. Lots of tips and tricks helping you to work more efficiently and everyone will receive a USB shortcut key quick reference guide.

April 24th - €150 for Chamber Members

This course is suitable for any executive with responsibility for making decisions and spending money on behalf of the business.

• You will learn the principles and benefits of:
•  Determining customer Needs Specifications and design wants Scenario’s
• Stakeholder involvement at every milestone
• An efficient e-tendering methodology
• Developing a blended value for money decision making matrix
• Awarding value for money decisions

Secure your place here!

As part of the centenary celebrations, Ford have approached a number of iconic buildings in Cork and have asked them to ‘light it up blue’ for the week of the centenary (hours of darkness, Mon to Fri – April 17th to 21st). Ford is kindly requesting member companies of Cork Chamber who have the lighting facility to do so, to light up their buildings / premises in blue for the week of April 17. 

Cork City Hall, Custom House, Opera House, St Fin Barre’s, St. Anne’s / Shandon, UCC, Cork Airport and bridges in the city centre will all be participating in the ‘light it up blue’ initiative.  

Visit online to apply and for further details and tips for applicants. Deadline for applications is noon,  Thursday 27^th April 2017.

If you have any queries about the CSR Awards 2017 please contact Carly by email here. 

Share your news to our website through our Member Information Centre (MIC). If you have forgotten your login details contact us and we can reset them for you! 

• Munster Rugby: Hospitality for Munster v Saracens European Champions Cup, Saturday 22nd April - read more
• Hayfield Manor: Exclusive Afternoon Tea Offer - read more
• Admirror: 20% discount on Admirror advertising for Chamber members - read more
• Flemings Restaurant: Free bottle of wine, when you book a table of four - read more
• St. Peter's Cork: 10% discount on any venue hire booked in 2017 - read more
• New Links Training: Train the Trainer, 10% discount on all bookings in March - read more
• Musgrave Marketplace: Chamber Member Offers - read more
• Conversation Piece: 50% off Panasonic Phone System - read more

Do business with fellow Cork Chamber members through sharing an offer. Offers can be submitted through the Member Information Centre (MIC) and all current offers are displayed on our website.

• Everyman: Levin and Levin, The Secret Garden, The Seafarer
• Griffith College Cork: Free Easter workshops in Law, Business, Media and Computing for FE, 4th, 5th and 6th year students, April 13th - read more
• Mercy Hospital Foundation: Good Friday Tag Rugby Charity Blitz, April 14th - read more
• Cork International Hotel: Easter Egg Hunt in aid of the Irish Community Air Ambulance, April 15th - read more
• Comfort Keepers: "Afternoon Tea" Event in aid of Age Action (South), April 19th - read more
• Willis Towers Watson: Trustee Training Session, May 9th - read more
• Canada Green Building Council Conference Vancouver May 2017, read more