Cork Chamber in partnership with Vodafone Ireland,  are searching for the 'Cork Company of the Year' 2015. The awards are open to all businesses, across varying sectors and sizes.  

The four award categories are:

• Cork Large Company of the Year (more than 100 employees)
• Cork SME of the Year (less than 100 employees )
• Emerging Cork Company of the Year (less than 3 years in business)
• New Special Award Category: Cork Retailer of the Year 2015

We encourage all businesses to use this opportunity to reflect on their success over the past year and/or nominate companies that you believe have got the WOW factor.

Closing date: Tuesday, 28th October at 5pm. 

Apply or Nominate a business HERE 

1. Fastnet Recruitment Goes Global - Read More HERE 

2. Tomi Reichental Awarded the Inaugural Voxpro Diplomat Global Achievement Award 2014 - Read More HERE

3. Bank of Ireland Kernal Capital Venture Fund €1.25M Investment in DisplayNote Technologies - Read More HERE

4. Ballinacurra House, Kinsale Launch New Kinsale Gourmet Academy - Read More HERE

5. Mercedes-Benz MSL Fashion Week Cork Successfully Injects Revenue And Vibrancy Into The Local Retail Sector - Read More HERE

Chamberlink magazine will hit your desk soon. See the online version here, filled with the latest updates from your Chamber and fellow members.  

Featuring articles from on a New City Centre Strategy for Cork, Cork Digital  Marketing Awards, appointments to the Chamber board and much more! 

Please note error on page 14, Annual Christmas Lunch takes place on Friday 12th December. 

Business Opportunities in Canada - Focus on Alberta

The Enterprise Europe Network at Cork Chamber will be hosting a breakfast seminar on Business Opportunities in Canada on Thursday 13th November at 7.30am in the River Lee Hotel. Find out more here. 

Open day for LED/Lighting Companies
An open day for LED/Lighting companies will take place on Thursday, 13th November in CIT. Presentations will be given by the Centre for Advanced Photonics and Process Analysis (CAPPA), Nimbus (Embedded Systems Research), and Intelligent Mechatronics and Radio Frequency Identification (Tralee IT). See inside for more details.

International Marketing Workshop
Are you looking at growing your business internationally or to improve your international marketing skills? Renowned Chartered Marketer, Ray Clarke, will be running a workshop on behalf of the Enterprise Europe Network at Cork Chamber on November 26th (9:30am - 5:30pm). The workshop will take place in Cork Chamber. Book your free place here. 

Cork Chamber took part in The European Parliament of Enterprises, which allows business people from all over Europe to become Members of the European Parliament of Enterprises (MEPEs) for one day and gain unique insights into how one of the most powerful bodies in Europe goes about their decision making process as part of a Chambers Ireland delegation.


The Irish delegation raised the importance of EU investment for energy and infrastructure programmes and highlighted the potential Ireland had to be at the forefront of the development of the energy sector. Debates and voting sessions took places throughout the day centring on the issues of internationalisation, skills, finance and energy. The results of these votes highlighted the urgent need for an effective single European energy market, more innovative financial supports for SMEs and a European apprenticeship programme.

The Enterprise Europe Network at Cork Chamber is hosting a breakfast seminar in association with the Canadian Embassy in Dublin and the Government of Alberta (Canada). Whether you are already doing business in Canada, considering an expansion into this market, or just looking for information about business/investment in Canada, this event will offer the opportunity to hear an update on the current economic climate as well as to explore the potential for business, investment or innovation links with Canada.


Suzanne Cormie, Deputy Head of Mission and Senior Trade Commissioner Canadian Embassy Dublin will talk about “Doing Business in Canada”.  Suzanne will be accompanied by Cameron Branston, Trade Commissioner for the Government of Alberta, who will present on the general Alberta business landscape, the inventory of major projects in the province of Alberta, opportunities within the Oil & Gas Sector and further opportunities that will result from the Comprehensive Trade and Economic Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada.

Date: Tuesday, 18th November 2014
Time: 19.30pm
Venue: Doubletree Hilton Hotel
Cost: €125.00
To book:  here 

Cork Chamber’s Dublin Dinner 2014 promotes the strong connections that exist between Cork and Dublin businesses and enhances existing business relationships between the two regions. This is a unique opportunity for Cork businesses to network with their Dublin counterparts as well as an ideal corporate entertainment platform. 

At this Black Tie Event, we will honour a prominent business person with the Outstanding Achievement in Business Award and this year Darina Allen of Ballymaloe will be the proud recipient. 

This event sells out every year so BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment. 

Date: 28th November 
Time: 08:15 - 15:00
Venue: Floor 16, County Hall, followed by lunch in Vertigo
Cost: Free but registration is essential 
To book: here 

Following Ireland’s successful exit from the EU/IMF Programme, what lies in store? Where is Ireland’s recovery heading? What is the role of the EU in improving Ireland’s competitiveness?

On Friday, 28th November 2014, the European Commission Representation in Ireland in conjunction with Cork Chamber will host a Conference addressing these and other questions. This Conference will focus on the European Union’s arrangements for improved economic governance – the so-called 'European Semester' and will explore the implications it will have for the Irish economy.

Minister Joan Burton TD, Tánaiste will feature as one of the Key Note speakers on the day, as well as Minister Simon Coveney TD. There will be a variety of influential and high level speakers from both the public and private sector, academics, private industry leaders and media, who will discuss what Ireland’s economic policy and reform priorities should be in the years ahead.


#EconEUIE

What will happen to your sales results if you don’t invest in your sales technique?

Will you meet and exceed your sales targets this year and beyond?

Everyone sells. We sell everyday. We sell ourselves, our products, our services, our businesses. However, a sales process, like any process, needs to be updated, modified and developed constantly.

Invest in your sales technique with our Sales courses!

• Increasing Sales by Telephone: develop the prospecting protocols and influencing skills required to significantly increase your sales success over the phone

• Business to Business Selling – The Secrets:this course will teach you the necessary consultative selling skills required to exceed your sales target this year and beyond.

Both courses start next week, so take this opportunity to invest in your business before year end! DON’T MISS OUT!

7 Finalists to Pitch for Bursary Purse at inBusiness inCork Showcase in November 

And then there were seven! Cork innovates, the award-winning initiative to drive entrepreneurship in the Region, today announced a shortlist of seven companies for the 2014 €30,000 bursary purse.

The selected companies - TIC Ltd, Ottera Technology, Inspect4, AventaMed, Pundit Arena, Mountain Man Brewing and Bia Beauty - will now go forward to a live pitching session at the inBusiness inCork event on November 14^th 2014 in City Hall, Cork. 

The bursary purse will provide the winning company with a suite of services from advertising, financial advice, mentoring, PR, mobile and data packages, Cork Chamber membership supports, along with a cash investment, all to the value of thirty thousand euro. 

Date: November 2nd
Time: Gallery Crafts opens from 2-6pm with the official launch at 4:30pm
Venue: Gallery Crafts, Kilworth in north Cork
Cost: No cost

Renowned Textile artist Fiona Turley invites you to the Breakthrough Cancer Research Christmas Card Launch. The event will launch Fiona Turley’s Christmas range, which includes a bespoke range of 10 Christmas cards in aid of Breakthrough Cancer Research. Get into the festive spirit and enjoy the wonderful creations  from Irish designers such as Max Benjamin, Stephen Farnan, Alan Ardiff, Orla Kiely, Wild Goose, plus festive decorations, candles and much more. Entertainment will be provided by local singer Sandra Gubbins  and will include a mulled wine reception.

The cards will also be available in Fiona’s ‘Pop up’ shop in Fermoy town and the breakthrough Cancer Research Website here. 

Begin your Christmas celebrations at our wonderful  Sec’s ’n the City Lunch celebrating its 34th year. The local charity that will benefit this year is the wonderful Dress For Success a charity to help women to get back into the workplace with all the support that they could possibly need to help them on their way. A Great Day Is Guaranteed. The Day Includes Pre-Lunch Drinks and 4 Course Lunch. Guest Speaker is Cllr. Claire Cullinane. Fashion Show & After Dinner Entertainment

Date: 28th October 
Time: 5.45pm - 6.45pm 
Venue: Kingsley Hotel 


Get the most when selling your property. A Seller's Advice Evening is due to take place in the Kingsley Hotel on Tuesday 28th of October, in conjunction with Global Properties, MyHomes.ie, Cork Independent & AIB.