On Monday the finalists in the 'Large' Category of Cork Company of the Year 2019 were announced. Read more about these inspiring Cork companies here or watch the short video on each finalist below. 

The winner of each category will be announced on Friday 1^st February at the Cork Chamber Annual Dinner.

Cork Chamber and the Dunkettle Interchange Upgrade project team invite Chamber membership to a consultation/ information event.

Speakers from TII and the Project Construction team will discuss;

• Progress to date, upcoming activities and overall delivery programme

• Communication between businesses and the Project Team throughout the works

• Strategies to keep Little Island thriving as a place to live and work throughout the works

Date: Tuesday 5^th February

Time: 9:30am with refreshments from 7.30am

Where: Radisson Hotel, Little Island

Email michelle@corkchamber.ie to register.

The enclosed survey assesses the experience of entrepreneurs in job creation with the aim to inform existing policy to encourage entrepreneurship as a job creation strategy.

It is hoped to gain an insight into the way in which jobs are created by entrepreneurs and to capture the objective experience of the entrepreneur themselves. 

This research is being undertaken by a PhD Scholar at the University of Limerick, with Cork Chamber assisting. In Cork Chamber, we are hopeful that the insights gained will assist our membership base as the research recommendations are developed. This survey will close to responses on Friday 8^th February.

Managing teams effectively requires managers to drive themselves and their teams’ performances. The successful team will benefit from playing to the strengths of individual members, whilst contributing to overall achievement. In this once day course on 30^th January you will learn:

• How to build self confidence in managing your people
• How to set clear, measurable and achievable objectives
• How to be better equipped with tools to get the best from your team

This 4-day course starting Feb  5^th will provide you with the tools and techniques to effectively deliver, assess, and evaluate your training programmes (New Train the Trainer) – QQI Level 6

3 Main Learning Outcomes:

• Improved confidence levels when delivering effective training programmes
• Use of appropriate assessment techniques to ensure that the learning has transferred
• Application of a range of training evaluation models, thereby ensuring that your organisation benefits from the training

• Stay in the heart of Cork City in Maldron Hotel, South Mall
• Motivate and Treat your team at Hayfield Manor Hotel

All offers can be submitted through the Member's Area of our website.

• David Swinburne joins the Team as Partner of Fitzgerald legal and Advisory
• Maldron Hotel South Mall

Don't forget to share your news with us through the Members Area!

• Cork City Council: Lord Mayors Tea Dance 27th January 
• Republic of Work: Toastmasters 28th January
• The Everyman: Bat the Father Rabbit the Son 29th January 
• Triskel Arts Centre: Virtuoso Drummer -Jeff Ballard 31st January 
• CAPPA: Enhancing your Business through Collaboration and State Funding 29th January 
• Cork International Hotel: Cork International Travel Fair 2nd and 3rd of February 
• Hayfield Manor Hotel: Back by Popular Demand- Half Day Health and Happiness Charity Event 3rd February 
• 2019 Cork Food Policy Council Award Scheme: Have your application in before 30th January 

Free parking is now in place in North Main Street and Paul Street car parks, Monday - Friday inclusive. 

If you enter North Main Street or Paul Street car park from 2pm, you can avail of free parking until 5pm. 

Normal charges apply after 5pm. 

If you enter before 2pm, normal charges will apply throughout your stay.

Valid from January 14th - February 14th 2019.

President Bill O’Connell recently highlighted the growing anticipation of the Cork business community for the publication of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy.

In commenting, Mr. O’Connell stated, “The Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy has been signalled as a game-changer for Cork, a precursor to significant public transport infrastructure and network investment on a scale never before seen in Cork. T[...]This is the opportunity for Cork as Ireland’s fastest growing City to plan proactively to meet our full potential and to enable Cork’s transition to a sustainable European city of scale.”

Cork Chamber will host a Business Breakfast on Thursday 14^th February. This will be our first Business Breakfast as part of our 200 anniversary celebrations.

Speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Date: Thursday 14^th February

Location: The Clayton Hotel Cork City

Time: 7.30am – 9.00am

This seminar series will build your awareness of international opportunities and support the development of an international strategy in your business. Build a good foundation for future success.

Register for three seminars on:

13th February: Market analysis – target the right international markets

27th February: Communication to boost international business relationships

13th March: Build the right international market partnerships

Where: River Lee Hotel

Cost: €60 for series of three seminars

Amarenco, a leading global developer, owner and operator of large-scale solar plants, was founded in 2013 and has grown from a zero position to being one of Ireland’s most successful renewable developers on the international stage.

The company is heading rapidly to a €100m turnover company, employing 80 people globally and it expects to invest €100m in Irish solar plants over the next three years.  

Johnson & Perrott Motor Group has been a driving force in Cork’s motoring industry for more than 200 years.

In 2018 the group achieved a number of milestones, including the opening of a new Jaguar Land Rover Dealership in Bishopstown, the acquisition of National Truck Rental Company in Dublin and the creation of a new global partnership with ARVAL Europe’s largest leasing company.

Wisetek, a global service provider of IT recycling, manufacturing, and data sanitisation services, was founded in 2007 in Cork to support IT manufacturers to meet the increasing demands of global e-waste regulations.

Wisetek: It has been a rise to international prominence of epic proportions for data sanitisation firm Wisetek, beginning in Cork and becoming a major international presence in the field.