The Chamber recently attended a public consultation for a review of the Cork County Development Plan 2015 – 2021.  The current County Development Plan adopted in 2009 will expire in 2015 and in order to ensure that new plan is reflective of and appropriate to the social, demographic and economic requirements of the County, the County Council has commenced a formal statutory review process. 

The County Council has prepared a consultation document in advance of the process which is available here

Two outstanding consultations are due to take place on Thursday 31^st January between 6pm and 8.30pm in the Quality Hotel, Clonakilty and on Tuesday 5^th February between 6pm and 8.30pm in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow.  Those interested can contact the County Council to register their interest in attending by calling 021-4285900.

The Chamber is currently preparing a submission and welcomes input from its members.  Should you be interested in providing comments or feedback for this submission, please contact the Policy and Research Manager (Acting) (siobhan.bradley@corkchamber.ie) by Monday 25^th February at 4pm. 

Introduction to Technical Writing

Great technical writing can make a poor product usable - poor technical writing can make a great product useless. Our Introduction to Technical Writing Course is designed to help you become that great technical writer! This one day course aims to ensure that participants can make their technical documentation accurate, brief, clear, complete and, above all, useful. The emphasis is on writing to impart complex technical information to a specific target audience. Participants should be committed to delivering reports, manuals and routine communications that are accurate, concise, clear and focussed on the needs of the target audience.

This new one-day course will be running on the 6^th February next and is only €130.00 for Chamber members - BOOK NOW!

 
And for all those frustrated by their understanding of PowerPoint! Our MS Powerpoint "Beyond the Basics" - 2007/2010 course is running on Tuesday 5^th February next.

This course will help you learn the Dos and Don’ts of PowerPoint. It looks at the basics of slide content from text based slides through to inserting ClipArt, pictures, photos, movie clips etc. You will also look at formatting the slide show in a number of different ways including applying PowerPoint design templates. This course is suitable for those who are already familiar with the basics of MS PowerPoint and would now like to build on that knowledge.

It will teach you how to produce and run professional looking slide shows. This course reviews the basics of PowerPoint to quickly run through shortcuts and speed keys, working through from text based slide content through to alternative options - inserting ClipArt, pictures, photos, diagrams, movie clips etc.

Then it looks at formatting the slide show including applying PowerPoint design templates and creating your own design templates for future use. Learn then how to run the slide show in the most professional way possible through the use of some simple keys.

This one day course is only €100.00 for Chamber members, so why wait – BOOK TODAY!

Why train with us? We have small class sizes of an average of 10 persons per class (individual attention guaranteed) Top Trainers (all are leaders within their respective fields), locally delivered and exceptionally good value for money.

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)

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.

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 Events at Flemings Restaurant, Silver Grange House on Tuesday 5th 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 Year’s Resolutions and start off your year by maximizing your networking opportunities. There will be a 20-30 minute formal networking slot at this event where you will meet new contacts.

Greek companies participating in the networking event in Athens

A Greek company specialising in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology applications seeks partner for JV. The company is the first South-Eastern European pharmaceutical biotechnology company leading the way since 2005 in red biotechnology applications, in cryobiology and in autologous cellular therapeutics of degenerative diseases (cardiological diseases, neurological conditions and metabolic disorders). The company is seeking a technological or research cooperation.

A Greek company based in Crete, focusing on superior quality Cretan Extra Virgin Olive Oil, PDO Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil seeks commercial partners and distributors. The company has developed a continuous cooperation with selected local olive mills to ensure immediate delivery of the olives and good crushing conditions in low temperatures. The content of this extra virgin oil never exceeds 0.5% of oleic acid per 100g in fatty acids. Its production process ensures its richness in beneficial elements such as mono-unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin A and pro-vitamin A. The type of cooperation sought would be exclusive rights with an importing agent or distributor, per country.

A Greek company specialising in tourism, catering and related hospitality services seeks representation from tourism operators and representatives in general, in order to increase incoming clients.

For further information about the Greek Mission for Growth or any of these company profiles please contact eimear@corkchamber.ie

We are delighted to announce that our Spring Wine Society evening will take place on Thursday, April 18th. There will be a programme of exceptional wines arranged especially for the evening.

This special event begins at 7.00pm with aperitifs and canapés along with an introduction of the wines.

Dinner is €99.00 per person and will be served at 7.30pm. Our Executive Chef, Graeme Campbell, has carefully created a five course menu designed to perfectly complement the selection of five different wines which will be showcased on the night.

Enthusiasts looking to expand their knowledge of wine, or amateurs who simply love sampling new and exciting vintages will relish this special event, part of a series of Wine Society evenings to be held at Hayfield Manor.

To book please call Michelle on 021 4845909 or email events@hayfieldmanor.ie.

Exclusive offer to chamber members, book a table of 10 and receive a place complimentary. Offer is subject to availability.

Date: 4th February 
Time: 6pm
Venue: NSC Centre Blackrock
Cost: FOC
To book: Simply log onto www.smallbusinesscan.com/business-achievers-live-events

Ulster Bank, in conjunction with Small Business Can, are running a series of free events, throughout January and February, open to SMEs and entrepreneurs across the island of Ireland. Titled ‘Better Marketing for Business’, the seminars are part of the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Live Roadshow and will feature an informal panel discussion, a questions and answers session, networking opportunities, and the chance to engage with marketing specialists.

The Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards which are run in association with the Irish Independent, Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland and SmallBusinessCan, are now in their 19th year and are open to all Irish SMEs, north and south of the border. Entries will close on 28th February 2013.

For further information and to enter your business in the 2012 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards, go to businessachieversaward.com or find us on twitter @ulsterbank_BAA.

Cogans Carrigaline first Mobility Awareness Event is taking place Sunday February 3rd at 2.00pm. All are welcome to attend the event which will focus on the needs of drivers and passengers with reduced mobility whether caused by age or disability. Information on the day will include on how to adapt your car to suit your mobility needs and what financial assistance is available to those with reduced mobility.

Addressing our guests on the day will be speakers who will cover topics including:

• Vehicle Adaptations
• Disabled Parking Permit
• Primary Medical Cert
• Financial Assistance
• VRT/VAT Relief Scheme
• Driver Assessment & Tuition

At the event magician Liam Sheehan will be on hand to provide entertainment and light refreshments will be served.  On the day avail of free spot on the spot repairs including oil checks, oil top ups, wiper fitting and battery checks.

For more information on Cogans Mobility Awareness Event please contact Jean Murphy, Cogans, Carrigaline at 021 4852517 or email: jmurphy@cogans.ie

Rapid advancements in smartphones, wireless sensors and mobile communications have led to the development of cyber-physical systems, smart environments, and pervasive computing with important applications in environmental, civilian, military, industry, and government sectors. Sensor networks and smartphones play significant roles in this context as they not only act as effective interface between physical and cyber worlds, but also bring in human social aspects. However, increasing scale and heterogeneity at all levels - users, devices, networking and computing technologies, information and services - implies a high degree of uncertainty in distributed control and operations of pervasive and cyber-physical systems, thereby posing significant challenges in providing desired information quality, assurance, and reliability for intelligent decision making. This is particularly important for applications like smart health care, smart energy management, and pervasive security.

GOLF FOR HOPE’, a unique networking opportunity for Irish businesses to meet their India counterparts while immersing themselves in the Indian capital of culture, and playing Golf in one of the world’s oldest Golf Clubs.

This ten day experience of a lifetime for just 20 people takes place from the 15^th – 24^th March 2013 and is being backed by top businessmen from the Kolkata Chamber of Commerce, with a highlight of the tour being The HOPE Golf Cup fundraising Tournament and Dinner at the Tollygunge Golf Club, where leading health, education and finance professionals will be in attendance.

As well as golf and sightseeing, such as a river cruise of the Ganges, you will visit HOPEs children’s projects in Kolkata to see firsthand the work of The Hope Foundation where you will get the opportunity to see just where fundraised money is being invested. This is a chance for people to give a little back, spending time with children who have been given so little, yet have so much joy to share. Club members are also looking forward to extending the hand of welcome to visitors. They will be inviting you to cultural evenings of music, food and art in their homes around Kolkata.

Costing just €1,500, this is an exceptional opportunity for any keen golfer or travel enthusiast and an ideal opportunity for businesses to promote Ireland in India, as well as encouraging Indian Golfers and Businesses to return to Ireland in 2013 for The Gathering.

 For further information on this trip you can contact Susan in the HOPE office on (021) 4292990 or email susan@hopefoundation.ie