Dear Chamber member,

This year is poised to be a landmark one for democratic processes worldwide. Elections are set to engage half of the world’s population, empowering them with the opportunity to exercise their voting rights. With so many great plans in place for Cork, there is an important opportunity to ensure that our representatives, local and European, are well mandated to deliver on the issues that matter to our city region.

Through Ireland 2040, the government has set targets for Cork which includes a 50% growth in population. This will require a concerted effort to build houses, create circa 75,000 jobs, deliver an enhanced public transport system and provide a range of health, social, community and cultural services. While Cork has potential to accommodate significant economic and spatial change to play a leading role in delivering balanced national socio-economic growth for Ireland this requires targeted innovation, investment and ambitious public representatives.

Join us for this Business Breakfast to hear from Evelyn Moynihan, CEO, Kilkenny Group, champions of premium Irish craft and design, operating across 18 retail outlets and a thriving e-commerce site.

She will share the company's story and its ambition to grow internationally by investing in their omnichannel experience and collaborating with over 250 Irish designers, including partnerships with renowned designers Lennon Courtney.

Join us for Industry Insights, a new series designed to provide SMEs with the knowledge they need to navigate the ever changing business landscape. 

This event will provide details on the recently published Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Bill and how it will impact your business. Auto-Enrolment will have significant implications for many employers as it will present compliance and operational challenges as well as give rise to additional business costs.

The Annual General Meeting of Cork Chamber will take place at the Imperial Hotel, Cork on Monday 27th May at 6pm.

If you would like to attend, please email here to register your attendance by close of business Monday 20^th May 2024.

Cork Chamber is delighted to partner with the Employment & Recruitment Federation as they host their Cork Conference. The event will open with Geraldine King, CEO, ERF and will feature Rob Horgan, Vice-President, Cork Chamber and Ed Heffernan, Managing Partner, Barden & ERF Treasurer to give an update on Cork business and the ERF. 

Keynote speakers will include Tom Hadley, Speaker/Trainer, Hadley’s Comment, Jack Kennedy, Senior Economist, Indeed and Cora Staunton, AFLW Player @GWSGiants, Pundit RTE Sport, Public Speaker. 

​We have teamed up with Cork Opera House to offer members a discounted rate to experience the magic of The Cork Proms. 

Members will have the opportunity to mingle, network and share their passion for music at a pre-show networking reception before proceeding to the auditorium to celebrate all things brilliant about Irish Rock music. An evening that promises to be nothing short of legendary! 

Join us to explore the crucial role of adaptation in protecting businesses from the harmful impacts of climate change. Adaptation entails adjusting processes, practices, and structures to lessen potential damage arising from extreme weather events linked to climate change. 

This webinar will delve into strategies for businesses to bolster their resilience against shifting weather patterns and the necessary infrastructure to effectively implement adaptation measures.

Tues 21st May | 9.30am-4:30pm | 5 sessions | Online

The purpose of this Certificate in Training Delivery & Evaluation Programme (Train the Trainer)  is to provide you with the tools and techniques to effectively deliver, assess and evaluate your training programmes. You will gain practical experience and recognised certification as a trainer. 

Wednesday 22nd May | 10am-12pm | Online

This 2-hour online workshop will explore ideas such as dignity and respect, judgments and stereotypes, and unconscious bias. The webinar will give participants time to reflect on the lifelong learning process of stereotypes and prejudice and how we can learn to overcome these battles when given the chance.

Wed 12th June | 9.30am-11am | Online

We will explore conflict resolution styles, mediation, and problem-solving approaches to foster collaboration and minimise negative impacts within the workplace. Participants will leave with the tools & techniques to transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and understanding.

The Enterprise Europe Network in Spain invite you to attend their Digital Enterprise Show 2024 matchmaking event, aimed at facilitating contacts and exchanging information between technology partners and attendees seeking solutions to accelerate their digital transformation.

This event is an opportunity for companies, start-ups, research institutes, universities and other organisations engaged within the digital business transformation.

The Enterprise Europe Network in Austria invite you to attend their Connect Day 2024 matchmaking event, during the ViennaUP 2024 Conference.

This event is an opportunity for you to engage in dynamic company pitches, enlightening masterclasses and B2B meetings.

Through our constant engagement with our members, we have a unique understanding of the economic and social needs of business in Cork. This manifesto reflects key priorities for the five years ahead, and it also charts a course for the future for Cork and our social, economic and environmental security and prosperity 

Cork Chamber has identified eight key priority areas in the manifesto.

Exciting News! A series of "Open Streets" events are coming to Cork city this summer, the first of which will take place on Sunday 19th May from 1-5pm to coincide with Bike Week. 

We are encouraging people to walk, cycle or take public transport into town on Sunday 19th May to enjoy a colourful and lively programme of dance, music and street performances on Cornmarket Street, North Main Street and St. Patrick’s Street.  These streets will be closed to private cars between 1pm and 5pm to facilitate the events, creating a safe and people-friendly atmosphere.  The  quays and all city car parks will remain open during this period and parking and access for blue badge holders will be facilitated as normal.

The government has today agreed a range of measures with the aim of reducing costs for small and medium sized businesses - including widening eligibility for grants, vouchers and increasing grant amounts, their accessibility and more.

If you have any feedback that can inform our submission please contact ashley@corkchamber.ie 

• Arlo becomes STEM Southwest Industry Partner
• New Partner Promotions at Mason Hayes & Curran
• Merck Hosts 20th Annual Schools Science Competition to Foster STEM Education
• Branding business TOTEM eyes growth as they take home two European awards
• First Eco-friendly fundraiser for Children’s Health Foundation

Adare’s HR Barometer 8.1 has found that while Organisations expect Employee turnover rates to stabilise this year, there has been a notable pivot in Employee retention strategies with less focus on financial incentives and a greater focus on enhancing the overall benefits and reward packages offered to new and existing talent.

• Walk the Camino Finisterre for Breakthrough Cancer Research – Monday 13^th – Monday 20^th May
• UCC’s Future-Ready Workforce event – Thursday 16^th May
• Complimentary Zoom Financial Wellness Webinar with Alpha Wealth: Beyond Money - Examining the relationship between mental and financial wellness – Friday 17^th May
• Ireland Japan Association’s Annual Dinner 2024 – Friday 17^th May
• Chartered Accountants Cork Society Tag Rugby Blitz 2024 – Thursday 23^rd May
• FineOaks Alpacas at Pet Expo – Mallow Home and Garden Show – Friday 24^th – Sunday 26^th May
• Boardmatch - Charity Trustee Speed-Dating at Clayton Hotel – Find your charity board role – Thursday 23^rd May
• Château Pesquié Wine Evening at Hayfield Manor – Thursday 23rd May
• Jobs Expo Cork – Saturday 25^th May
• Everywhere English Free Webinar – Engage, Empower, Excel: Strategies for Team Development – Thursday 30^th May
• Applications Open – IGNITE Graduate Start-Up Incubation Programme at UCC – Closing date Monday 3^rd June

• DP Energy – have the following position available - Office Administrator
• Digital Marketing Assistant required by Barter's Travelnet
• Barter’s Travelnet require a Leisure Sales Consultant

• NexGen Cyber are offering 50% off Cyber Security Audit
• 20% Off Voodoo Summer Social Corporate Party Packages
• Boardmatch are offering a 33% discount for Charity Tickets at their Charity Board Recruitment Event
• 15% discount on SAOL platform access for Cork Chamber Members
• 10% discount off Sprintmodo’s Manager Performance Academy Membership
• UCC’s Campus Accommodation – 10% off all self-catering rates for Summer 2024
• FREE Discovery call (1h) with Finance OTC Consulting Ltd
• Keniry Advisory Services - Power & Energy Conference 2024 - 25% discount for Cork Chamber members
• Secure Onsite Shredding 5 x 240 litre bins of payer or 20 hard drives only €100 + VAT (13. %) from DGD Shredding
• Citylink are offering corporate discounts on their Cork routes
• Exclusive 15% Member Discount at PrintSpace!
• Hibra Design are offering a Free Consultation to identify opportunities to vehicle solutions unique to your operations