As the principal international gateway for the South of Ireland, Cork Airport’s services and air-connectivity is critical to the overall economic performance and long-term competitiveness of Cork and its surrounding regions. Cork Airport’s services and air connectivity are accordingly, a core priority for the Chamber given the vital role of regional, accessible air-services in facilitating business and commercial activities and wider regional economic development.

Cork Chamber has prepared a submission in response to the Department of Transport’s consultation on a National Aviation Policy which makes specific recommendations based on feedback from our members regarding key issues that need to be addressed to ensure that the Policy is responsive the air-connectivity needs and requirements of the business community in Cork. Our recommendations are designed to support and enhance the region’s capacity to capitalise on the economic opportunities that result from high quality airport services and demand-led air connectivity. 

Further details on our submission are available HERE

The Policy Department would like to thank members who provided feedback and comments in the preparation of this submission.

Cork Chamber supports Redevelopment of Marina Park:

Cork Chamber has communicated its support for the proposed redevelopment plans for Marina Park to Cork City Council as part of the public consultation on the Draft Master Plan for the Marina Park. 

The Chamber recognises and welcomes the economic benefits that will result from the redevelopment and upgrading of Pairc Uí Chaoimh to a modern stadium and the added development of a Centre of Excellence.  This redevelopment will provide a welcome boost for the local construction industry as well as longer term employment opportunities that will result from the hospitality, facilities management, servicing and Gaelic games development jobs at the new Pairc Uí Chaoimh amenities.  In addition to the GAA games and additional sporting, conference and entertainment events that will be held at the upgraded facilities, it will also provide additional wider economic benefits for the tourism, retail and hospitality sectors.

For further information on this submission please visit  HERE   

Influencing & Negotiating Skills

Course Date: 23^rd & 24^th July

Member Rate: €225.00

The programme aims to enable participants to influence the thinking and behaviour of others through the effective use of communication skills. This programme is designed to help participants enhance their ability to communicate in a confident and professional manner. It will enable participants to acquire the skills to prepare and plan effectively for negotiations, to understand the roles and functions people play within the customer’s organisation with whom they are negotiating, to develop an awareness of strategies to deal with people in the customer organisation, to cultivate the persuasive style of conducting a professional sales negotiation, to understand how customer behaviour can influence the negotiation strategy, to explore ways to identify and deal with common barriers to achieving goals.

This is a key skill that once learned has applicability across both business and life situations.

Learners who successfully complete this module will:

• Obtain practical techniques, strategies and skills for influencing others
•  Be more confident in building rapport effortlessly with clients
• Discover their persuasion style and how to make a positive impact in using it
• Learn the skills to negotiate to lower overhead and maintain profit margins
• Understand the know-how of a negotiation process
• Be able to conduct the negotiation using persuasion and influencing skills
• Use the different negotiation approaches depending on the situation
• Be able to develop consensus in a negotiation process
• Identify the barriers in achieving a negotiation deal and learn how to deal with objections

This course is only €225.00 for Chamber members so don’t delay, BOOK TODAY!!

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)

Business opportunities

UK manufacturer of vegetarian, additive-free foods is seeking Trade Intermediaries (distributors) in Ireland.  Ref: 20120718023.
The company has had considerable UK success in distributing products via major supermarkets and food industry distributors. Partner sought should have strong credentials in food distribution and approved to local authority food standards.

A North-West England SME specialising in manufacture of distribution of a range of reusable protective covers and shrouds including insulated covers is looking for distributors/trade representatives in Ireland. Ref: 20130312028.
Products include vehicle covers and a wide range of logistics, related items such as pallet, IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) and roll wage covers. The company is seeking suppliers of equipment to end users in a number of industries including logistics, food and drink and pharmaceuticals.

A UK specialist letting agency is seeking trade intermediaries in Europe, including Ireland, to further develop marketing of 300 premium, and self-catering properties. Ref: 20120313040.
Interested organisations are likely to be tour operators, letting agents, holiday rental agents, vacation agents and holiday accommodation agents. The type of partner sought is a well-established organisation with a proven track record in marketing premium holiday accommodation to the discerning customer.

You can explore our extensive database of current opportunities here.  If you would like any more information about these or any other opportunity, please contact karen@corkchamber.ie quoting the reference number.

Future Internet Public-Private Partnership Programme

The Future Internet Public-Private Partnership, (FI-PPP) is a European programme for Internet-enabled innovation. It aims to accelerate the development and adoption of Future Internet technologies in Europe, advance the European market for smart infrastructures, and increase the effectiveness of business processes through the Internet. The budget is €100 million for SMEs and web entrepreneurs and €30 million for sustainability and take-up.  The FI PPP Call is open until 10^th December 2013. More information about the call can be found here or on the Future Internet PPP website.

AGRORUS 2013 - International Agricultural Exhibition and Trade Fair, St Petersburg, Russia

Agrorus 2013 will take place at the Lenexpo Exhibition Complex in St Petersburg from 26^th August-1^st September. It is the largest exhibition for achievements in the area of small-scale farming in Russia. The exhibition will cover themes such as: scientific research and technologies; innovations in agricultural machinery; food and beverages; refrigeration equipment and animal husbandry. The business programme includes seminars, round-table meetings and conferences.

Furthermore, the Russian Federation is keen to promote and learn more about the future development of bioenergy, and the fair organizers would also be interested to hear from any potential speakers on this topic.  

To register for the event, click here or to express an interest in attending as an exhibitor or speaker, contact Eimear@corkchamber.ie for more information.

Offer available: Chamber members a special discounted rate of €16pp


Cork City Council would like to invite all Cork Chamber members to support Pulses of Tradition at Triskel Christchurch, an exciting traditional Irish concert filled with various forms of Irish music, dance and song.  The show takes place almost every Thursday and Friday at 8pm for the remainder of the summer, with the aim of further positioning Cork as a hub for Irish traditional culture. It is by far the biggest regular traditional performance in Cork and has great potential for retailers and hoteliers in the city.  We need your support to get the word out about this fantastic show, so we are imploring you to inform your staff/customers/clients.

*We are offering all Chamber members a special discounted rate of €16pp.  Group rates can also be discussed.  For bookings go to www.triskelartscentre.ie or 021-4272022 and use the concession code POTCHAM102