We are conducting this survey on the attitudes and perceptions of Cork businesses towards Cork and doing business in Cork as part of a wider Destination Branding project that is being carried out for the Cork region by Colliers International and Fuzion Communications. Take 5 minutes to tell us what you think HERE
(Please complete before Thursday 19th September)

Find out more about Cork Chamber Policy & Research Activities HERE

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport have launched a public consultation to support their development of a new tourism policy for Ireland.  As part of the process, the Department has prepared an Issues Paper and is seeking viewpoints under the following four areas: 

1. Tourism Marketing

2. Tourism Product Development

3. Human Resources and Training / Innovation / Enterprise Support and Competitiveness

4. Implementing Policy and Service Delivery Mechanisms

The Chamber is preparing a submission as part of the public consultation and invites interested parties to submit their views/observations/suggestions on the four key areas to Alma Murnane,  Director of Policy & External Relations (alma@corkchamber.ie) before  Friday 11^th October.

For more information and to access the Issues Paper please visit: http://www.dttas.ie/tourism/english/tourism-policy-review-20132014

Date: 25th September
Time: 07:30 - 09:00
Venue: Gresham Metropole Hotel
Cost: FREE
To Book: visit our website here


Are you one of the 50,000 businesses in Ireland that will be affected by SEPA? This is the Single Euro Payments Area and all companies using electronic payments must migrate over to this new system by 1st February 2014.

For further information and to book, please CLICK HERE

Date: 10^th October
Time: 7.30am – 9.00am
Venue: Cork International Airport Hotel
Cost: €20 member / €35 non members
To book: visit our website HERE

We are delighted to have Herb Hribar speak at our October Business Breakfast, as Chief Executive Officer Herb will outline eircom’s ambition to redefine the telecommunications landscape in Ireland. 


Further information and to book, please CLICK HERE.

Date: 9th October
Time: 08:00 - 11:00
Venue: Rochestown Park Hotel
Cost: Free
To book: visit our website here


The second seminar in our Access to Finance series will focus on EU funding. Identifying the source of EU funds that can be accessed by SMEs can be complicated, as the EU budget is broken down and allocated to SMEs via many different channels.

The seminar will outline how the EU budget is allocated and how SMEs can apply for direct or indirect funding. For more information, contact Katherine@corkchamber.ie or book online through www.corkchamber.ie.

Date: 23rd September
Time: 8.30am
Venue: Clarion Hotel, Cork
Cost: Free (and qualifies for CPD)
To book: email Samantha at the Irish Tax Institute here  –  or phone 01 6631707


The Irish Tax Institute is delighted to be associated with Cork Chamber of Commerce in hosting an informal Breakfast Briefing in advance of Budget 2014.  An array of issued will be addressed including personal tax, PRSI, capital taxes, SMEs and measures that might help economic growth and job creation.

The Cork innovates bursary valued at €30,000 is now taking applications  HERE   

Applications are being taken online until October 21^st midnight.  A stringent and multi-tiered selection process will follow! 

The bursary recipient who will be announced at the InBusiness InCork Showcase on November 14^th will benefit from a wide range of services including advertising, consultancy services for a number of business activities (including PR, accountancy and e-commence), print and design services and cash support.

Contributors include: AIB, Brook Catering, Cameo Communications, Cork Chamber, Irish Examiner, Newstalk, Rubicon, Studio forty9, Voxpro, Westboro Partners & Woodland Print & Design.

Those wishing to attend the INBusiness INCork event can pre-register now HERE   

Have you got a training course that you would like us to provide in 2014? Complete our short survey HERE by Friday 20th

Biznetcork Skillnet, the Business School @ Cork Chamber would like to invite you to participate in our 2014 Training Needs Analysis survey, which we hope will help us to identify critical training needs among member companies for inclusion in our 2014 Training Plan.

We are currently in the process of preparing our 2014 funding submission, to be submitted to Skillnets Ltd. in the coming weeks. This document will be significantly influenced by the results of this survey.

*Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a draw for a prize of one night B&B and dinner for two at the River Lee Hotel, kindly sponsored by the River Lee. Complete our short survey HERE 

The Enterprise Europe Network helps small businesses to maximise their presence on the European marketplace. Working through a network of local business organisations across Europe and further afield, we can help you develop your business in new markets, source or license new technologies or access EU finance and EU funding.

For more information, please see: www.een-ireland.ie or contact Katherine@corkchamber.ie

See the ‘read more’ section (below) for further information on the following:

• Estonian company mission to Ireland, 1-5 October 2013, Belfast and Dublin
• Innov’embre, 25 November, Lille, France
• Business partnership opportunities

We would like to congratulate all the winners of 2013 Chambers Ireland CSR Awards, held in Dublin last Thursday night, in particular our Cork Chamber members – Janssen, Maritime Hotel, Ulster Bank, UCC and Fuzion PR. Now in it’s tenth year the awards recognise companies that demonstrate what can be done, beyond profit and margin, for their local community and environment. The quality and reach of CSR initiatives is continually improving and we were particularly delighted to see such a large number of entrants of Cork companies.

Please 'read more' for details of our winners.

Period of the offer available:  Up until Sunday 20^th October

The Royal Moscow Ballet returns to Cork Opera House on Sunday 20^th October with a lavish production of the enchanting fairytale Cinderella for all to enjoy. Cork Opera House are delighted to offer a 10% discount on tickets for the 8pm performance to all Cork Chamber of Commerce members.

Period of the offer available: booked between now and the end of September

Moloney & Associates - Acoustic & Environmental Consultants - are delighted to offer a 15% Discount for their Institute of Acoustics (IOA) Certificate of Competence Training Courses booked between now and the end of September. Please contact us on Tel: 021 4374333 or email info@env.ie. More infotrmation available here.  

Period of Offers: November 2013  - Free Insurance for Cork Chamber Members

Travelfox have launched their Autumn Cruise Sale with a cruise only offer from Royal Caribbean Cruises for a 7 Night MED Cruise for only €399.  2014 Cruises are being snapped up for a fraction of the price with these Travelfox early booking offers. Call Travelfox today for more info on 1890 98 98 02

Please come and support this Celebrity Charity Soccer Match in aid of Chernobyl Children International, which is taking place at Bishopstown Stadium on Sunday October 13th. This promises to be a fantastic family day out, as Celebs from the sporting and entertainment world take on a team from Abtran in what is sure to be a joy to watch.

Date: 26^th September
Time: 10.00am – Shot Gun start
Venue: Castlemartyr Golf Resort, followed by lunch in Castlemartyr Hotel
Cost: €65 per head, €195 for a team of 3
To Book: email Oonagh here

Last year 20 teams of 3 enjoyed this 3 ball golf event followed by a delicious lunch in the Hotel and presentation of fabulous prizes donated generously by the Castlemartyr Resort. Fancy your chances? Or Would you like to treat or sponsor a ladies team? A few slots remain so get in touch ASAP by emailing oonagh.odriscoll@stlukeshome.ie

Date: 10 three hour sessions in October and November
Time: Morning, Afternoon and Evening times available
Venue: 6 sessions at Northridge House, St Luke’s Home, Castle Rd, Mahon, 2 sessions in Bandon and 2 in Middleton
Cost: Free


St Luke’s Home are hosting free information & advice courses aimed at anyone looking after an older relative at home. With support from The Ireland Funds 10 courses are being offered in October and November and a further 8 between February and May. Places will be limited to 20 per session so book early to avoid disappointment. Contact Claire on 021 4536551 or email: education@stlukeshome.ie

Date: 18 Sept – 5^th Oct (Excluding Sundays & Mondays)
Time: 20:00 – 22:00 Approx.
Venue: Cork Arts Theatre
Cost: Special Offer Opening Week: €10 (18-21st Sept)
To Book: 021 4505624

GLORIOUS! nominated for the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and seen by over 6,000,000 people in theatres across six continents tells the hilarious true story of Florence Foster Jenkins – the worst singer in the world! Standard: €15 (23 Sept- 5th Oct), Concession: €12 (23 Sept- 5th Oct), Other: €10 (Groups of 10+). See more events here.

Date: 26^th September 2013
Time:  8.30pm
Venue:  Cork Constitution Football Club, Templehill, Cork
Cost: Table of 4: €40.            
To Book: Contact: Don at cork@bluebirdcare.ie  or  087 2580223

                                                
Bluebird Care are proud fundraising sponsors of Special Olympics Ireland and we have committed to raising much needed funds with a campaign entitled “Summit for the Weekend”.  The Cork office of Bluebird Care, as part of this campaign,  are holding a Table Quiz on Thursday 26th September 2013, details above. Please join us for night of fun & trivia in aid of Special Olympics Ireland.     

Over 90 venues are taking part this year, throwing open their doors on one night and organising  events, from art exhibitions to poetry, orchestras to food markets, deconstructed bicycles to a giant see-saw – and it’s all free.

Don't miss out - more information available HERE.