To prepare for the approach of Brexit in 2019, Cork will host the first in a series of Government sponsored Get Ireland Brexit Ready workshops.

Where: Páirc Uí Chaoimh

When: Friday, 5^th October

Time: 9.30am - 12.15pm

Price: Free

The workshop will be opened by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Simon Coveney T.D.
Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland and Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland will also address the workshop. 

The Fáilte Ireland Get Brexit Ready Programme team will also be on hand to offer advice and assistance to tourism businesses attending, alongside representatives from Government Departments and other State Agencies.

Entries are now open for the Cork Company of the Year Awards 2019. Organised and run by Cork Chamber in association with Vodafone. 

The four award categories for 2019 are:

1. Emerging Cork Company of the Year (less than 3 years in business)
2. Cork SME Company of the Year (less than 50 employees)
3. Cork Large Company of the Year (50-200 employees)
4. Cork Corporate of the Year (more than 200 employees)

Closing date for all completed applications is Thursday 25th October 2018. Winners in each category along with the Overall Cork Company of the Year will be announced at the Cork Chamber Annual Dinner, February 1st, 2019

For more information please contact Naoimh Frawley here

InterTradeIreland’s Funding Advisory Service workshop is aimed at SMEs who are looking for new or alternative sources of funding to finance business growth.

This short workshop delivered by Grant Thornton on behalf of InterTradeIreland will give you the opportunity to find out about the main sources of funding for growth suitable for your business and will include information on both traditional bank funding and the newer types of funding that are now available in the market.

The event is now open for registration with light breakfast at 8am, the formal seminar will end around 10:30am followed by a networking opportunity with funders. We do hope you can join us at the workshop. 

Whilst the event is FREE to attend, you must register in advance.

In the event of no agreement being reached between the EU and the UK in the Brexit negotiations, the European Commission has prepared a list of notices to help businesses prepare across various business areas and are available to view on the Commission’s website: European Commission Brexit Preparedness

The Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation (DBEI) is encouraging firms to review these notices and consider relevant actions that may be required in terms of Brexit.

The Cork Digital Marketing Awards are organised by Cork Chamber Skillnet to recognise the remarkable achievements of companies using digital to enhance consumer experience in Cork. The 2018 winners were announced on the 28th September.

Winners can be viewed here

The Leading with Emotional Intelligence programme provides you with the understanding and capability to develop your social and emotional skills, thereby advancing your ability to influence others towards achievement of high levels of personal and professional effectiveness.

• Tom Connolly and Associates: 11% Off For Cork Chamber Members 2 Day Project Management Workshop 
• Deep Red Productions: Video Package Offer- Get your Voice Out There 
• Business Legal: €25 Discount For Cork Chamber Members
• Early Bird at The Cornstore

All offers can be submitted through the Member's Area of our website.

• Return of Spar Cork Airport 5km Runway Run
• The Hazelton Clinic Welcomes Psychotherapist Angela Keane to the Team 
• BDM Boylan Appoints New Head of Expanding Commercial Department 
• VMware- Force For Good Event
• International Law Delegates Convene in Cork for European Legal Conference
• Tyndall National Institute Secures Record €7 Million in Horizon 2020 Funding
• Cork Business in Support of Focus Ireland's Upcoming Shine a Light

Don't forget to share your news with us through the Members Area!

• UCC Innovation Event: SME Internationalization: The Where and How? 11th October
• The Everyman: Colin Murphy! The Bald ambition Tour 6th October
• Triskel: Spotlight Music Series 6th October
• Crawford Art Gallery: Life Drawing 7th October
• Pimbrook Software: Sage 50 & Accounting functionality Online Demo 11th October
• McAvoy and Associates: Trends in Irish Art and Tax Breaks for Irish Collectors 
• Hayfield Manor: Exclusive Champagne Evening 11th October
• Focus Ireland: Shine a Light Night 2018 12th-13th October 
• A Night On The Town Variety Show: In Aid of Cork Samaritans 18th October Produced by Dennis Eivers BMC Financial
• CarrigalineCourt Hotel: Christmas Party Ready 14th- 15th December

When: Saturday 24th November

Where: Clayton Hotel Cork City

Price: €150pp

Time: 7pm

The Fire & Ice Ball is back! This black-tie dinner sponsored by Kearys BMW will take place in the Clayton Hotel Cork City. An evening of great entertainment kicks off at 7pm to the lively sounds of Velvet Duo and drinks reception sponsored by Heineken & Coole Swan.Tickets are priced at €150pp in support of Enable Ireland’s new Children’s Centre.

To book tickets email Maria Desmond here or call 0877905029

Thursday 4^th October

7.30am – 9.00am

Cork International Hotel

€25 members / €50 non members

Cork Chamber's October Business Breakfast in association with the Irish Examiner will feature Peter Morehead as the guest speaker.

Peter Morehead is Global Operations Director at Pernod Ricard, the world’s number two international wines and spirits group since 2015. Prior to that he spent 18 years at Irish Distillers Ltd. as General Manager Midleton Distillery and then Production Director, IDL.

Friday 12^th October

12pm – 3pm

Clayton Hotel Cork City

€49 Cork Chamber/Network Cork members

€59 non members

Cork Chamber is delighted to partner once again with Network Cork, in order to host the popular annual Women in Leadership Executive Lunch. 

This year we are honoured to welcome Brid Horan, co-founder of the 30% Club, former Deputy CEO of ESB and current Co-Chair of Better Balance for Better Business, as the key note speaker. 

Date: Tuesday 20^th November

Time: 7pm – 11pm

Where: Clayton Hotel Burlington Road

Cost: €150pp / €1500 per table of 10

Celebrating its eighth year, Cork Chamber’s Dublin Dinner has become a firm diary fixture for over 600 business leaders, political decision makers and influencers and this year we are delighted to announce An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar T.D. as our guest speaker.

From our drinks reception, to the dinner, President’s address, guest speaker and informalities thereafter we guarantee this will be a clear highlight of your year. An opportunity to meet new business leaders, to stoke existing relationships and to entertain colleagues, clients and prospects at our flagship black tie Dublin event.

Date: Tuesday 16^th October

Time: 5.30pm – 7pm

Where: Johnson & Perrott Motor Group, Bandon Road Roundabout

Cost: Free for members

Cork Chamber is delighted to partner with Johnson & Perrott Motor Group to bring you the October Clock out and Connect networking event on-site at the brand spanking new luxurious showroom in Bishopstown, Co Cork.

This evening networking event affords you the opportunity to network with your fellow Chamber members while you set your sights on a new shiny Jaguar or Land Rover.

Cork Chamber in collaboration with Cork County Council invite you to attend a presentation on the proposals of the Little Island Transportation Study, and specifically on the draft strategy report.

This meeting for Cork Chamber members takes place on Thursday 18^th October from 10.30am to 11.30am in the Radisson Hotel, Little Island.

It is essential that you register your availability to attend by return email to Michelle here

As the attendance numbers are limited please register as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note we are limited to 1-2 (max) attendees per member business.

The wider public consultation will proceed that evening from 3pm to 8pm, again in the Radisson Blue, Little Island. Pre registration is not essential for public consultation. 

Archaeological investigation works have been extended to encompass the entire site. The main construction works are still scheduled to get underway early in 2019, with preparatory works in progress:

• The planned upgrade to the Silversprings Interchange commenced on the 1^st of October with these works aimed at improving the traffic flow for inbound and outbound traffic. These main sections of this work should be completed before the end of the year.
• The Capacity Improvement Works at the Little Island interchange will go to tender in October, with the aim to appoint a contractor by the end of November 2018. Substantial completion of these works is scheduled for April 2019.
• To view the before and after photomontages of the Dunkettle Interchange please click here.

We urge members to sign up to dedicated projects newsletter via the link here.

Last week, we raised your main budget priorities and business needs with TDs from across the political spectrum at the Chamber Network Budget Dialogue in Dublin.

More affordable rental properties and housing, reduced childcare cost, tax reform and better public transport provision were among the key priorities raised with elected members from across the country by Cork Chamber.

With Budget 2019 also being the first following the finalisation of Project Ireland 2040 and the last budget before the UK leaves the EU, we emphasised the need for improving the competitiveness of Irish business to mitigate risks in the volatile period to come. Retaining VAT at 9% for the hospitality sector, delivering upon investments announced in the National Development Plan, and supporting entrepreneurship through a reformed tax system are all actions we raised on your behalf for the upcoming budget.

Cork City Centre and Cobh has made it to the Top 10 of the Royal Town Planning Institute's search for 'Ireland's Best Place'. So lets get voting!

Voting is now open and will run until Friday 12 October.

There are three easy ways to vote:

1.    Submit your vote online here. (currently only accessible using Chrome)
2.    Email here 
3.    Tweet your vote for your chosen place and use #RTPIIrelandsBestPlaces

National Women’s Enterprise Day 2018 will be marked on Thursday 18th October with an event ‘From Local to Global’ at Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Tivoli, Cork. The event aims to inspire the next generation of female business leaders to boost their local success through export and business internationalisation.

The event hosted by Local Enterprise Offices in association with Enterprise Europe Network will be one of sixteen events around the country on the day to support and recognise the capacity of Ireland’s female entrepreneurs.

Click for more information here

This cross-border Meet the Buyer event offers an extensive line-up of buyers with a diverse range of procurement needs from across the island of Ireland. The event organised by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry will give participants an opportunity to:

• Make a pitch to private sector buyers across a range of sectors

• Network and develop links with each other through speed networking

• Access business advice to support your company’s growth

Both buyers and SME suppliers from the Cork region are invited to participate.

For more information on the event and to view buyers already registered click here

Contact Margaret Kelly here

Entries are now open for the Cork Company of the Year Awards 2019. Organised and run by Cork Chamber in association with Vodafone. 

The four award categories for 2019 are:

1. Emerging Cork Company of the Year (less than 3 years in business)
2. Cork SME Company of the Year (less than 50 employees)
3. Cork Large Company of the Year (50-200 employees)
4. Cork Corporate of the Year (more than 200 employees)

Closing date for all completed applications is Thursday 25th October 2018. Winners in each category along with the Overall Cork Company of the Year will be announced at the Cork Chamber Annual Dinner, February 1st, 2019