Cork Chamber prepared a joint submission with the CBA which identified a number of concerns and made specific recommendations based on feedback from our members regarding key issues that need to be addressed to ensure that the Strategy is responsive to the requirements of the retail sector and operates in ways which sustain and enhance the retail environment.

Key recommendations in our submission include:

• A comprehensive strategy which clearly articulates a vision of the retail environment that is envisaged for Cork
• Integration and alignment of inter-related strategies such as the Cork City Movement Strategy and City Centre Strategy to ensure a consistent, cohesive and focused approach to strategy development and implementation
• A commitment to identify and implement collaborative retail environment improvement schemes/initiatives to promote and improve the trading environment in partnership with the retail sector
• Further elaboration and specific guidance on how vacancies in existing retail units may be addressed to support the Strategy’s proposal to reduce the vacancy rate by 50%
• Implementation of a diverse retail mix in the City Centre to address the requirement for larger floor space units whilst simultaneously encouraging independent boutiques/retail stores 
• Regular review and evaluation of the Retail Strategy to ensure that it is addressing and responding to the needs of the retail environment i.e. establishing a Retail Forum with representatives from both Councils, the Chamber, the CBA and other key retail representatives to monitor and review the status of the retail environment and retail strategy

For more information and to view all of our recommendations for the Retail Strategy click here

Microsoft Access 2003 – Introduction/Intermediate 1 Day Programme

Course Date: 5^th June, 2013

Member Rate: €100.00

Access is a relational database management system that allows information to be stored in tables that are related to one another. Instead of managing data manually, a database can be set up in Access from which information can be easily managed. This allows information to be organised, retrieved and analysed quickly and effectively.

During this course, you will begin by creating a single table MS Access database, entering & editing data both directly in the table and through the use of forms. You will then manipulate records within the Data Sheet and form and move onto creating and saving queries. Following this we will also look at how to create reports in order to produce the extracted data in the most professional format.

We will then move on to more advanced content – creating a multiple table database and building relationships between tables. We all also look at some of the more advanced field and table properties and further manipulate data through writing calculations in tables and forms. We will also look at collaborating with other MS Office applications – exporting data to MS Excel and merge records with letters, labels etc. in MS Word.

The course will cover:  

• Access Basics
• Tables
•  Filters and Queries
•  Forms
• Reports
• Table Relationships
•  Filters and Queries
• Forms
• Importing and Exporting Dat
• Adding the Finishing Touches

This one day course is only €100.00 for Chamber members so BOOK NOW!

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

Bookings can be completed through the website and enquiries should be directed to Aoife@corkchamber.ie  (Training Services Administrator)

As a Partner of Arthur Cox, Pádraig is ranked by Chambers and Partners as the top corporate lawyer in Ireland. He served as Managing Partner of the firm from 2003 to 2011 and in 2009, he was named European Managing Partner of the Year and in 2012 was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Managing Partner Forum. He also holds a position of non-Executive Director at Paddy Power plc.

Pádraig studied law in the National University of Ireland and Harvard Law School and has practised in New York and Dublin. Since 2008 he has been the lead external legal advisor to the Irish Government and Irish State entities on Ireland’s banking crisis.

European Commission: Call for proposals of €31.5 million for 45 Eco-innovation projects

Businesses are invited to submit proposals to bring novel environmental solutions to market in the following 5 areas: Material Recycling, Water, Sustainable Building Products, Green Business and the Food and Drink sector. This call targets private businesses, mainly SMEs, that have developed an innovative green product, process or service but need assistance launching it on the market. It offers co-financing to cover up to 50% of the project costs.  Deadline: 5 September 2013. Click here for more information or contact karen@corkchamber.ie

European B2B Matchmaking Event at EuroLED, ICC, Birmingham, UK (24-25 June 2013)

Enterprise Europe Network UK Midlands is organizing a B2B Matchmaking Event during EuroLED. EuroLED is dedicated to the science and technology of LEDs, and includes a technical conference for industry professionals, over 100 exhibitors and a Gala Dinner.  The pre-arranged, one-to-one meetings provide an opportunity to develop potential commercial and technological partnerships in Europe. Click here for more information.

Design Brokerage Event and Eco-Design Workshop, Turin, Italy (27-28 June 2013)

The Turin Chamber of Commerce is organising a Brokerage Event, Seminar on Eco-Innovation and Eco-Design Workshop aimed at manufacturing companies and designers.  The Eco-Design Workshop (27 June) will demonstrate best practices on Eco-Sustainable Solutions developed by manufacturing companies.  (Travel and accommodation supports are available for companies with Eco-design experience who wish to participate in the Workshop and Brokerage event.)  The Turin Design 2013 Brokerage Event (28 June) will involve bilateral meetings between manufacturing companies and European top level designers to facilitate the development of new products and processes.  Register here before the 14th June deadline or contact karen@corkchamber.ie for more information.

European Pavilion at Clean Energy Expo China 2013, Beijing (July 3-5 2013)

A European Pavilion will be present this year at the Clean Energy Expo China (CEEC) in collaboration with EU SME Centre. The European Pavilion provides a portal for European companies to the world’s largest energy market. European business will have the opportunity to increase their visibility, network with counterparts and benefit from additional useful services.  The European Pavilion also offers special budget packages to SMEs with limited financial resources.  CEEC is the only cross-sector trade fair and conference in China showcasing the entire clean energy portfolio.  More than 20,000 trade visitors and 800 delegates from 60 countries are expected to attend. Click here for More information and registration form.

The Ireland India Business Association (IIBA) was founded in May 2008 to enhance and increase commercial links between Irish and Indian businesses. Besides networking events, the association also provides a program of seminars and events in the form of business briefings with guest speakers from Ireland and India.  The primary step in promoting bilateral trade is to make Ireland known to India and similarly, generate an interest towards India in Ireland.

This promises to be a fantastic evening for those wishing to learn more about the business opportunities presented by the Indian market and the ambitions of the Cork Chapter of the IIBA.  For more information or to register, please email: corkchapter@iiba.ie.

Title: ESSENTIALS 1 – Measuring Your Organisations Corporate Carbon Footprint (ISO 14064-1)

Location: Dublin

Dates: 4^th & 5^th June (2 days)

Contact: Email charlesburgess@carbonaction.co.uk for more info.

Title: ESSENTIALS 2 – Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Projects - Reducing Your Organisations Environmental Impact (ISO 14064-2)

Location: Dublin

Dates: 6^th & 7^th June (2 days)

Contact: Email charlesburgess@carbonaction.co.uk for more info.

ICS Skills is committed to developing the digital skills of Ireland’s workforce. To date over 600,000 people in Ireland have studied one of our courses. However In Ireland, ECDL is regarded by many as something from their past.

ICS Skills views ICT learning as a lifelong progression path and with the makeover of New ECDL you can now continue to develop and up skill no matter what stage of your career you are at.  To promote the new opportunities available with ECDL, ICS Skills are currently running a campaign to re – engage with our learners past and present.  We are encouraging them to develop, or refresh, their skills with an expanded range of modules in a more flexible pack from as little as €50. There are also a number of ECDL modules which can be studied completely free of charge. 

Whether you would like to avail of this opportunity yourself or you would like to give your staff the opportunity to up skill at no cost to your organisation, there is something for everyone with New ECDL.  See www.ecdl.ie to view more about the new modules and the special packages running currently.

Over 6,000 children from Cork attend Our Lady’s Children’s hospital, Crumlin every year. Even then, it’s only the seriously ill and those with special illnesses, which cannot be dealt with locally, who are referred there.

As we await the new national Children’s Hospital, there are two very important projects underway to totally redevelop the Cardiac and Cancer wards. With your help, we can complete both projects on time, which will have a major impact on the hospital conditions for the children and their families.

The Cork Friends of Crumlin have been actively fundraising for over 20 years.  To date over €1.4 million has been raised to support research into childhood diseases and has helped maintain the highly specialised paediatric care that is available in Our Lady’s Hospital.

To contribute to this cause, we invite members of the Chamber to enter a team for €1,000, sponsor a Hole for €500 or sponsor a Tee for €250.  

For further details, please contact any one of the committee members listed below or contact Alan Higgins at Our Lady’s Children’s hospital directly on AHiggins@cmrf.org or mob: 087 - 2766122.

*Organising Committee: Don Coughlan (Chairman) | Norman Barry | David Carroll | Conor Cavanagh | Patrick Cotter | Aidan Dunlea | Justin Fennell| Alan Higgins| Michael Kelleher | Paschal McCarthy | John Mullins | Brian O’Brien | JJ O’Connell | Oliver O’Mahony| Michael O’Flynn (Board Director, Children’s Medical & Research Foundation).

 Main Sponors: