Press Release: Over 300 Business Leaders gather for Bizfest 2015

Over 300 business entrepreneurs from across Ireland descended on County Carlow’s Woodford Dolmen Hotel today (12^th November 2015) for the third annual Bizfest – Business Connections Event.

The aim of Bizfest is to provide an opportunity for owner/managers and their key staff across Ireland to make connections, while immersing themselves in the experience, entrepreneurial spirit and stories of entrepreneurs. Bizfest 2015 was hosted by Carlow, Tipperary and Kilkenny County Councils, in association with Bank of Ireland, Netwatch, Connect Ireland and County Carlow Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking about the event Eilish Corcoran of County Carlow Chamber said “The Chamber was delighted to be a partner in Bizfest 2015 and the success of the event goes to show that the South East Business Community believe that forming strong relationships and making connections is an essential part of their business”.

Opening the event, Carlow County Council Chief Executive, Kathleen Holohan said “The fastest and surest way to build solid business contacts today is through networking, however, networking is not only about making new connections, it is also about building lasting and mutually beneficial business relationships.”.

Holohan outlined that “Since the establishment of our Local Enterprise Office, we have been involved in many projects aimed at engagement of our local business community at local, national and international level”.  Holohan concluded by saying “Carlow County Council continues to look at ways to improve our support to enterprises and acknowledges the contribution they make to the wider business community in County Carlow.  This is and always will be, an important part of Carlow County Council’s strategy to strengthen and facilitate the success of our private sector, today and beyond, by following the three principles of strategy, synergy and success.”

The panel event was kicked off by Richard Curran who outlined the achievements , challenges , opportunities of the companies assembled on the panel which included Conor Mulhall of the Little Milk Company , Terry Clune of Taxback.com , Michael Dawson – Founder of the Gift Voucher Shop / One for All , Mags Kirwan of Goatsbridge Trout Farm & Linda Nolan MD of Mybio winner of the National Enterprise Awards 2015.

Closing the panel event – Kieran Comerford – Head of Enterprise with Carlow County Council said “The Local Enterprise Offices all share the common aspiration of building a world-class local eco-system, with various strategic initiatives such as Bizfest, which are aimed at helping shape and nurture the country’s future business leaders.”

Ends

What is Bizfest?

Bizfest was born out of a desire to connect business people together to assist in developing a business like yours in 2015. Bizfest is a business networking event featuring a panel of unique business people who have experience on the local, national and international stage. Now in its second year the 2014 event attracted over 300 business people from across Ireland.

Bizfest has 3 elements. The first element is the exhibition area which introduces you to products and services which may benefit your business; the second is the panel event which gives you the opportunity to hear from industry experts about how to energize your business into 2016; third is networking over lunch in the award winning Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow.

Event Partners:

County Carlow Chamber                                       www.carlowchamber.com

Carlow County Council  -Local Enterprise Office          www.carlow.ie www.localenterprise.ie/carlow

Netwatch Systems                                                   www.netwatchsystem.com

Bank of Ireland                                                         www.bankofireland.com

Kilkenny County Council – Local Enterprise Office     www.kilkennycoco.ie www.localenterprise.ie/kilkenny

Tipperary County Council – Local Enterprise Office      www.tipperarycoco.ie www.localenterprise.ie/tipperary

Connect Ireland                                                        www.connectireland.com