Fáilte Ireland:

The Chamber has attended Fáilte Ireland’s Regional Tourism Briefing which outlined its priorities for 2013. Tourism in Ireland has greater potential due to increasing confidence in the industry and growth in the overseas markets. The year ahead will focus primarily on the Gathering but there will also be resources dedicated to looking at how best to sell Ireland as a tourist destination overseas. As part of this, Fáilte Ireland has announced a number of courses for businesses in Web Training and Online Support. More details on these courses can be found at http://www.failteireland.ie/. 

There will also be two workshops relating to the Gathering held in February:

• ‘Essential Event Management for the Gathering 2013’ will take place on Friday 5^th February from 9am – 4.30pm in the Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig.  
• ‘Cost effective Marketing for your Gathering & Collecting Visitor Info’ will be held on Wednesday 27^th February from 9am -12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4.30pm in the Cork International Airport Hotel.

You can register for these events by contacting Lisa Doeringsfeld at lisa.doeringsfeld@failteireland.ie or 021-4233205.



Irish Rail Timetable 2013:

Irish Rail has announced details of its new timetable in 2013. The revisions to the Cork-Dublin route will reduce journey times and ensure efficiency for business travellers.  Changes to the Cork-Dublin route include:

• Removal of the 05.05 service from Cork to Dublin.  This will be replaced by a 06.00 service which will arrive in Dublin at 08.30.
• 21 of the 28 daily services will be delivered in 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 35 minutes, with the remainder delivered in 2 hours 45 minutes or less. 
• An additional service will be introduced from Cork to Dublin at 19.20
• Most services from Cork to Dublin will depart at 20 minutes past the hour instead of 30 minutes past the hour. The exception to this will be departures from Cork at 06.00, 07.00 and 08.00.

There are also changes to the commuter routes in Cork.  A 06.15 Midleton to Cork service will allow commuters to connect with the 07.00 service Cork to Dublin. There are also 2 additional routes on the Mallow commuter line. Further details are available here

We at the Business School @ Cork Chamber are delighted to announce that our new Chinese Language, Culture & Etiquette for Business Course is starting on the 21^st February next!

The course will be run over 8 weeks and will be provided by Bernadette O’Sullivan, who has spent almost a decade living, teaching and working among the Chinese. The goal is to ensure that participants develop practical Chinese communication skills, an understanding of Chinese culture and knowledge of the essentials of doing business in China or with the Chinese community.

To communicate in a Chinese business environment, it is essential not only to have language skills, but also knowledge of Chinese business culture and economic information. Therefore, every session will include information on the Chinese business culture. Business Chinese programs are designed to provide students with oral and written skills to conduct business in a Chinese language environment. Programs are comprehensive, students will learn to read, write, speak, and listen and develop an understanding of the culture. Emphasis is placed on business language and culture.

The course will cover everything from greetings, job titles, pronunciation, presenting your business card and typing in Chinese to introducing your company and products in Chinese! All sessions will provide ample opportunities to practice and participants will be encouraged to use every opportunity to fully utilize the Chinese language.

The course will be limited to 10 places to maximise your learning potential and is priced at a very reasonable €240.00 for Chamber members (including book to the value of €20.00). The course will run from 9.30a.m. – 12.30p.m. on the 21^st & 28^th February, 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, 28^th March 2013 and 4^th & 11^th April, 2013.

For further information and to book a place on this course, please contact Aoife Dunne Training Services Administrator at Aoife@corkchamber.ie or on 021 4530141.

See our full range of courses at www.corkchamber.ie/training

Date: 5^th February
Time: 5.30pm – 7.00pm
Venue: Flemings Restaurant, Tivoli
Cost: FREE for Cork Chamber members
To Book: Visit our website HERE

Cork Chamber is delighted to announce the start of the Networking Year with the first in the Business After Hours Networking Events at Flemings Restaurant, Silver Grange House on Tuesday 5^th February at 5.30pm.

Flemings Restaurant Silver Grange House is a historic Georgian house and restaurant built by one of the merchant princes of Cork, a local wine importer. After meticulous refurbishment and under the guidance of Chef patron Michael, it is today considered one of Cork’s finest dining institutions.

So keep all those New Years Resolutions and start off your year by meeting new contacts, existing clients and fellow Chamber members.  There will be a 20-30 minute  formal networking slot at this event.

Date: 7^th February
Time: 7.30am – 9.00am
Location: Clarion Hotel, Cork
Cost: €20 members / €35 non members
To Book: visit our website HERE

Cork Chamber’s Business Breakfast series in association with the Irish Examiner will kick off on Tues 12th February 2013, with guest speaker Terry Clune, winner of the 2009 E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the 2010 HSBC European Entrepreneur Award.

Terry founded Taxback.com while in college, to help students reclaim overpaid income tax from summer employment abroad. In 2012, Terry Clune developed and financed ConnectIreland.com, an Irish government supported incentive referral programme to create new jobs in Ireland. This programme is open to anyone who has a personal contact in a company that is expanding internationally.

Take this opportunity to meet new business contacts, build relationships with existing contacts as well as your fellow Cork Chamber members, as well as hearing Terry’s story of entrepreneurship and enterprise.

EU2013 events
Bioeconomy Stakeholder Conference
14th -15th February
Dublin Castle

Over the last decade, the European Commission has recognised the importance of investing in R&D to support the EU Bioeconomy. It is expected that new bio-processing technologies and approaches will deliver a sustainable and vast array of renewable, value-added bio-based products from biological waste streams including agro-food and forestry residues. The production of these bio-based products will contribute to economic growth and jobs within the EU – whilst at the same time limiting any negative impacts on the environment and reducing our dependency on fossil resources. 

This Conference will deal with the topic of the EU bioeconomy and ensuring that it remains high on Europe's agenda.

Connect with the Presidency on Twitter  
The Irish EU Presidency has 2 official Twitter profiles which you can follow to stay in touch with the Presidency. Follow @eu2013ie for updates from the official Irish EU Presidency account.

Follow @IrelandRepBru for updates from the spokespeople at the Irish Permanent Representation in Brussels.

Lucky enough to get a ticket to see The Boss in Cork?…… Don't be left 'Dancing In The Dark' this July 18^th 2013 - The  boutique four star Castle Hotel in Macroom,  nestled between Blarney and Killarney and just 30 minutes from Cork City, is the ideal base for Springsteen fans to explore the scenic South West of Ireland. The four star Castle Hotel is delighted to launch The Bruce Springsteen Special package and for as little as €55 per person sharing  guests are in for a treat with the following; Enjoy complimentary use of the Leisure Club during your stay with access to the 16 m heated pool, spa pool, Kids pool, steam room and fully equipped gym; Why not spoil yourself with a visit to the Holistic Therapy Suite! Complimentary late check out upon departure. For further information on this offer and other special offers currently available at the Castle Hotel visit www.castlehotel.ie/special-offers

Please note that this offer is subject to availability so to avoid disappointment please call the Castle Hotel on (026) 41074.

Cork
There are four categories of commuter tickets issued by Bus Éireann in the Cork Area, as follows:        

Cork City Buses
valid on Cork City bus routes only

Cork City & Suburban Buses
valid on Cork City bus routes and on other routes up to the following boundary stages:

• Cloghroe (Healy’s)
• Cork Airport
• Inniscarra
• Greenfield Cross
• Sallybrook
• Brook Lodge
• Bury’s Bridge
• Fountainstown
• Haulbowline

Cork City & Suburban Buses & Cork /Cobh rail
valid on Cork City and suburban bus routes as above and on Cork/Cobh rail services.

Cork City & Suburban Buses & Cork /Midleton Rail
Valid on Cork City and Suburban bus routes as above and on Cork/Midleton rail services.

*= not valid for the months July and August

Tickets can be purchased from: Bus Éireann, Travel Centre, Parnell Place, Cork.  An Stád Shop, U.C.C.  Students Union Office, C.I.T. & Centra, East Village, Douglas.

Date: February 9th
Venue: Ballinacurra House
Cost: Private Passes start from €59
To Book: Contact the Ballinacurra Box Office on ballinacurraevents@gmail.com 0214773470 0r 086 4676100

Ballinacura House, Kinsale will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Saturday, Feb 9th (2013) with a tribute to the Manhattan Nightworld of the mid-70’s - early 80’s with a Studio 54 Revisited Private House Party – invoking the spirit of the legendary New York club. Billed as the Ultimate Private Club Experience, reflecting the sparkle, scandal and celebrity of the iconic New York Club, the night will feature, VIP Lounges, Dance Acts, Ice Bars and Cigar Lounges, Champagne & Oyster Bar, The Glamour Bar, celebrity look-alikes as well as a cool line-up of acts that will pay homage to the mecca of disco soul, funk, lounge and the mild excesses of that legendary era.

Acts signed up include three of Dublin’s top acts touring, Midnight Soul, Velvet Lounge Band and Smash Hits, as well top Cork outfit Collage, and the nation’s best soul, funk lounge, house DJ’s including Afro Jack, DJ Cabana Boys, playing side by side with the various signature bars, throughout the various stylish rooms of the estate.

Private Passes start from €59 including admission and all entertainment and inventive F&B throughout the evening.

For further information – see the website or contact the Ballinacurra Box Office on ballinacurraevents@gmail.com 0214773470 0r 086 4676100.

Are you the next Business Achiever?

We’re now accepting applications for this years Business Achievers Award, so this event is an ideal time to apply. It’s your chance to ahve your company’s achievements recognised by the wider business community.

Find out more today at businessachieversaward.com

Closing date for entries is 28 February 2013. Terms and conditions apply