Cork Chamber would like to congratulate David Bradley, David Bradley Electrical on winning a €250 FlyCork.ie travel voucher including one week's complimentary car parking and lounge access which is generously sponsored by The Cork International Airport.

Many thanks to all those who completed this quarter’s economic survey.  Your input is greatly appreciated and highlighted a number of positive trends around confidence levels, turnover, net profits and employment. However, the survey findings also highlighted a number of factors that businesses believe pose a threat to growth and require careful monitoring to reduce any associated risks including financial threats and some infrastructure deficiencies. Cork Chamber will continue to drive the importance of finding solutions to issues that impact on business confidence and will continue to promote Cork as a location which is conducive to driving economic growth. 

On the 10^th April Cork Chamber attended a stakeholder meeting as part of the City Centre Movement Strategy Consultation organised by Cork City Council. At this meeting presentations were made by Arup on the Phase 1 and 2 developments of this 5 phase strategy. The first two phases include works to facilitate enhanced movement of traffic around the Washington street/Grenville Place/ Bachelor's Quay areas and also introduce a restriction of vehicles using St Patrick’s Street with the exception of busses and taxis at certain times of the day.

Information and drawings for the scheme are available online here and are also available at the reception of the Cork City Council building as part of the public consultation. Cork Chamber will be making a submission on behalf of our members in advance of the submission deadline of the 5^th of June. If you would like to contribute to the Chamber’s submission please send any feedback on the City Centre Movement Strategy to Claire  before COB, Monday 18^th May. 

Businesses no longer just have physical addresses - they are now ‘liking’ on Facebook, commenting on LinkedIn or creating chatter on Twitter. But is this social interaction benefitting your business? Where’s the value?? Find out more with our courses below!

Facebook for Business – 30^th April

•  Facebook is a perfect place for businesses that want to talk to people
•  Increase your Facebook subscribers
• Gain business & Increase your profile
• Let Facebook become a channel that benefits your business

Twitter for Business – 7^th May

• Twitter is a space for both consumer marketing and B2B marketing
• Use Twitter to generate leads & find connections
• Use Twitter to drive traffic and sales for your business

These 1 day courses are only €140.00 for Chamber members, so don’t delay, BOOK TODAY!!

Date: Wednesday, 29^th April
Time: 7.30am – 9.00am
Venue: Maryborough Hotel
Cost: €25 members / €35 non members
BOOK NOW 

Cork Chamber’s April Business Breakfast will feature David Owens, Senior VP Finance and International Operations of SolarWinds, a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT performance management software.  With its International Headquarters in Citygate, Mahon.  SolarWinds has received many accolades and awards and recently scooped the coveted “Cork Company of the Year Award”. 

David joined SolarWinds in 2007, having previously worked for Red Hat.  Of the SolarWinds base in Cork, David Owens said “Establishing our EMEA HQ in Cork has enabled us to grow existing markets and enter new ones across the region.  We recognise our Cork office as a center of excellence for the services and levels of support delivered to our customers throughout the region”.

David will give Cork Chamber members some insight into the decision to bring the EMEA headquarters for SolarWinds to Cork, the journey so far, what the future holds and why winning the Cork Company of the Year award has meant so much to the team, both here and worldwide.


In association with Irish Examiner.

Date: Wednesday 29^th April 2015
Time: 09.30 to 12.30 (registration from 9.00)
Venue: Radisson BLU Hotel, Cork

This is a one-off opportunity to learn from John Bowen, Cork-based business advocate and serial entrepreneur, on the lessons of a company’s journey to trading internationally and to ask the hard questions about exporting and the various challenges that come with trying to win customers.

There is no charge to attend this event, but registration is required at the following link.  

Save the Date! East Midlands UK inbound delegation
24th June 2015

The Enterprise Europe Network will be hosting a delegation from the UK, on Wednesday 24th June.  The delegation includes a number of companies in different sectors that are looking for partnerships with Cork businesses.

For more information contact Katherine or to find out more about the UK companies that are participating in the delegation, see here.  

 How does the EU’s General Food Law impact on your business?

The European Commission has launched a public consultation in order to better understand how General Food Law affects small food businesses along the supply chain. If you are operating within this sector and would like to complete a short survey (and be in with the chance of winning a bottle of Prosecco!), see inside for further information. 

The International Chamber of Commerce Ireland has launched a new cyber security guide for business. The digital economy is playing an increasingly important role in opening up new markets and opportunities for global business. But in today's global economy many businesses adopt modern information and communications technologies without fully realizing the new types of risks to be managed as a result. ICC's guide offers a way to recognize these risks and map out a process to deal with them.


The guide is available here. 

• Cork Chamber Elects New President Barrie O'Connell at Its 196th AGM - Read More HERE
• Have a Great Business Idea? - Looking for Support? - Read More HERE
• Cork logistics firm O Connell Group Receive Gold at the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Award Ceremony - Read More HERE
• EU Report Confirms SMEs to Benefit from TTIP - Read More HERE
• Are you driven to succeed? -  Read More HERE
• GATEWAY UCC Acknowledged As A Leading Incubation Model - Read More HERE
• Emily Hughes is appointed Senior Account Manager at Fuzion Communications - Read More HERE

Event Package

Cost: €65pp / €650 per table of 10

• Pre-event drinks reception sponsored by Diageo
• 3 Course Meal in the Maryborough Hotel & Spa
• There will also be a raffle of Munster Rugby prizes on the day with all proceeds going to the Friends of Marymount.

Open Day on Sunday 26^th of April. Come and experience 18 hole championship golf course co-designed by John Daly.

Each player will receive:

• Complimentary round of golf
• Complimentary drink after the game
• Discount on food in the Lion’s Den
• Complimentary pass to our Health Club
• Goodie Bag 

Special membership rates will be available on the day.This event is open to all levels, for both ladies and gents.  All you need to do is book your tee time in advance and register on the day. 

Date: Saturday 20th - Sunday 21st June 
Time: 9-6pm
Venue: Curraheen Showgrounds, Bishopstown, Cork
Book: E:  here  / T: 021 4801919 / Website

Cork’s largest agricultural, gardening, food and family event organised by the Munster Agricultural Society takes place on June 20th-21st at Curraheen Village, Bishopstown, Cork. Opportunities are still available to book a trade stand for your business and avail of this fantastic opportunity to reach in excess of 50,000 people. Deadline for applications is May 1st so contact us now!