Cork Chamber’s second quarterly economic trends survey of 2016, conducted during July, reveals a continuing positive picture of the overall Cork business environment with increased levels of business confidence across the sectors with a sense of pragmatism regarding the UK Brexit vote.

Cork Chamber President, Mr Barrie O’Connell, in commenting on the latest survey findings, stated, “The survey, which incorporates responses from businesses of all sizes and across a broad spectrum of sectors, records  that 94% of businesses are confident in the financial future of their business, an increase of 4% on Q1 2016,  demonstrating  the positive outlook at present that exists towards the current and future economic landscape in  the Cork region notwithstanding the increased macro-economic uncertainty following the Brexit vote outcome.

Cork Chamber is currently progressing our pre-budget submission 2016 in which we propose a number of budgetary reforms for consideration by Government for next year’s budget.

As per feedback received in our latest economic survey on member priorities for the upcoming budget, our recommendations will be structured under the following five broad headlines:

1. Supporting Business Activity
2. Investing in our People
3. Investing in the Future
4. Supporting Local Economic Development
5. Minimising External Risks

If you or your company believe there are specific reforms or measures you would like us to highlight under either of the headings above please contact Sarah by Monday 8th August. 

Take some time this month to brush up on your IT skills, make your working day a bit easier.  

MS Excel Intermediate

17^th August, €130

Ideal if you’ve never done Excel training before, conquer your Excel fears and make it work for you! Get the best shortcuts & easy to use formulas!

MS Excel Advanced

16^th August, €130

For those who use it regularly and want to build on that knowledge to get the most possible out of it. Learn all about Macros, Lookups & Pivot Tables!

It’s 4 weeks & 2 days until Entries Close for the 2016 Cork Digital Marketing Awards!

Is your company on Twitter? Or on Facebook?

Do you have an E-Commerce website or use Video to sell your product?

And most importantly, do you use Emojis because there’s a category for that too!!

ENTER NOW!

Date: Thursday 18^th August
Time:  5.30pm – 7.00pm
Venue: Montenotte Hotel, Cork
Cost: FREE for Cork Chamber members
To book: online

Cork Chamber is delighted to bring you the August BBQ in the newly renovated and refurbished Montenotte Hotel.

Celebrating a massive recent refurbishment, the Montenotte will welcome Cork Chamber members through the doors for a Summer BBQ, as the hotel celebrates its long heritage as a home to one of the famous Cork “Merchant Princes” now renovated with style and modern flair.

With panoramic views of the City from the terrace, you will be among the first to experience the new and unique Montenotte Hotel.

Places are limited for this event, so please BOOK EARLY to avoid disappointment.

Date: Friday 2^nd September
Time: 7.30am – 9.30am
Venue: Clarion Hotel
Cost: €25 members / €35

BOOK NOW!

Following the recent Brexit referendum ‘leave’ result decision, we are left with a degree of uncertainty as to what the long-term impact of Brexit on Ireland will be. However it is likely that there will be a two-year negotiation period regarding Britain’s trading relationship with the EU.

Cork Chamber will host a Brexit Breakfast on Friday 2^nd September in the Clarion Hotel.  This business briefing will comprise of a high level panel of experts who will examine the expected impact of Brexit on Ireland and in particular, its potential challenges and opportunities.

Date: Thursday 8^th September
Time: 7.30am – 2.30pm 
Venue: Lee Valley Golf Club
Cost: €300 for a team of 4
Book HERE 

**No afternoon slots available** 

Cork Chamber is delighted to announce that the Golf Classic 2016 will take place on Thursday 8^th September in Lee Valley Golf & Country Club in association with Vhi Healthcare.  The Golf Classic is a fourball scramble and always offers plenty of challenges as well as some great prizes to be won on the day. 

This competitive and fun annual event continues to offer fantastic value for money, with your entry fee including refreshments for you and your team on arrival, a full round of golf at the award winning Lee Valley Golf & Country Club, burgers at the 10^th tee, as well as music, entertainment and a BBQ on the terrace later that evening.  You will also receive a goody bag and a chance to win some top-notch prizes – always a great day out!

The timesheet for this event is filling up fast, so please BOOK NOW to reserve your slot.

Today, 3^rd August, Cork Chamber hosted an event to mark their successful partnership with Cope’s “Grand Job” campaign and to thank the many employers who engaged with Cope Foundation during the last 12 months.

“Grand Job” was launched in May 2015 and was Cope Foundation’s first advocacy campaign promoting the equal participation of people with disabilities in the workforce.

Commenting from the event Conor Healy, CEO at Cork Chamber, said ‘As part of Cork Chamber’s continued efforts to drive CSR participation we immediately saw the opportunity to bring this initiative to the business community. The original aim of the campaign was to secure 10 job pledges within the year, a target which has been exceeded with 12 people currently in employment and matching processes still in place. We are extremely grateful to the business community of Cork for responding so positively to the campaign and providing opportunities for people to engage in meaningful employment and contribute to society, as we all wish to do. We are also delighted to have been one of the employers who engaged with the initiative and are currently experiencing first-hand the positive influence of inclusion in the workplace brings.’

Recent Brexit-related articles of interest include:

• Sterling fall demands urgent policy response (IBEC)
• Ireland wants EU drug agency to move to Dublin after Brexit (Irish Times)
• UK manufacturing figures are a reality check for Brexit ‘broptimists’ (Irish Times)   
• Negative report from UK manufacturing industry sees FTSE fall (Irish Examiner)
• Irish jobs under imminent threat due to Brexit fallout (Irish Times)
• Philip Lane: Economy still vulnerable to Brexit risks (Irish Examiner)
• Factory output falls on Brexit (Irish Times)
• Why Europe needs new political vision after Brexit (The Guardian)  

Please let us know if you have any content for the BREXIT UPDATE section that you feel would be valuable to fellow members.

Contact Katherine or Eimear for more information.

FoodMatch 2016 is an international matchmaking event that will take place during Food Valley Expo this October. Food Valley Expo will focus on technologies and innovations for the food industry; personalised food; precision agriculture; and alternative proteins. A small fee applies to attend the conferencing element at Food Valley Expo but it is free of charge to attend FoodMatch, the matchmaking element of the event. The matchmaking event is targeted at companies, universities and R&D organisations from the food sector that are interested in sourcing new commercial, technological or research partners.

 
The event takes place in Arnhem which is located approx. 2 hours by train from Amsterdam Schiphol. Aer Lingus flies direct from Cork to Amsterdam Schiphol twice daily.

See ‘read more’ for more information or contact Eimear.

Companies engaged in cross border trade are invited to complete a survey on the design of the proposed single digital gateway. The idea behind the single digital gateway is that it would aim to provide the information that people need to engage in cross-border trade; travel to another European country or live, study and work in another EU country.

The survey below is aimed to aiding the design of the single digital gateway so that it meets businesses’ needs. In particular, the survey aims to identify how easy or difficult it is to find essential information to help them make the most of the single market. To participate in this consultation, visit website here.


Contact Katherine or Eimear for further information. 

• New Centre To Be Built in Cork For Children With Disabilities - read more

• Over 40 buildings open their doors for Cork Heritage Open Day - read more

• Budget 2017 Must Look Beyond the Short Term And Prepare the Irish Economy For The Future - read more

• Travel to Scotland’s cultural heartland Glasgow, direct from Cork Airport - read more

• Burgolarm Security Products Ltd: Free 12 Month Alarm Monitoring - read more
• BIBO Ireland: €50 Members Discount on any BIBO Purchase - read more
• Conversation Piece (Cork) Ltd: Plantronics CS540 Cordless Headset with HL10 Handset Lifter @ €195 - read more
• CoachClinic:  2 hour Business Growth Strategy Session - read more
• The Hope Foundation: Full Table of 10 to The Hope Foundation Cork Lunch for €550 - read more

• Conflicting Visions in a Turbulent Age 1900-1916, June 3rd - August 20th - read more
• Pulses of Tradition, June 6th,  - September 23rd - read more
• (RE)writing (Hi)story (A Sonic Opera), June 25th  - August 27th - read More
• Me Daza - Cork: Ireland's Masterpiece, Like, July 16th - September 16th - read more
• Triskel Christchurch: Bobby Sands: 66 Days, Aug 7th - Aug 10 - read more
• Fastnet Recruitment Admin Open Day, August 15th - read more
• Mountain Challenge, August 20th - read more
• Cork University Hospital Charity Cycle, Wheel4Life 2016 and Family Fun Day with Bishopstown GAA, August 28th - read more
• The Hope Foundation Cork Lunch, September 9th - read more 
• An Post Rebel Tour of Cork, September 10th - read more
• Introduction to Data Protection for business, September 21st - read more
• Dean Strang & Jerry Buting - A Conversation On Justice, September 22nd - read more
• Charity Carrauntoohill Climb, September 24th - read more
• Developments in the Organisation of Working Time - Legal Island in association with Crowley Solicitors, September 28th - read more
• Shine a Light Night, October 21st - read more