Small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in County Offaly will benefit from a diverse line-up of events designed to assist them in launching or expanding their enterprises during this year’s Local Enterprise Week. Organised by the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide, with support from Enterprise Ireland and local authorities, Local Enterprise Week is taking place from 4th to 8th March across the country.
Launching the Offaly Programme, Cllr. Eddie Fitzpatrick, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council said: ‘As we embark on Local Enterprise Week 2024, I urge each and every local enterprise to actively participate and support this programme. Local enterprises are the backbone of our community, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering a sense of pride in our unique products and services.’
Local Enterprise Week officially kicks-off on Monday, March 4th with lunch and an inspiring talk by Alec Drew – The Business Expert.
Highlights during the week in Offaly and across the country include:
- Student Enterprise Programme County Final – Tuesday, 5 March, 1.30pm, Tullamore Court Hotel the Student Enterprise Awards are open to the public who are welcome to view the stands and support our entrepreneurs of the future. The event is open to the public at 1.30 pm with a presentation of the awards at 2.00pm.
- 6 week Digital Marketing Course – Starting Tuesday, 5 March 11am to 1.30pm
- This online twelve session day Digital Marketing course will give an indepth understanding of website marketing and social media marketing in a way that explains how it all fits together in a digital marketing plan. This course will be delivered by Keith Feighery of Digital Insights and is designed for people in business.
- How to Use Chat GPT to improve your Digital Marketing Wednesday, 6 March 9.30am to 12.30pm
- In this course you will understand how to get the most out of Chat GPT by asking it the correct questions (prompts) in the correct way. Trainer: Evan Mangan, The Marketing Crowd.
- SPOTLIGHT EVENT: Understand and Leverage Future Trends for your Business – Wednesday, 6 March 2pm to 4pm (Organised by Local Enterprise Office DLR).
- Two international experts on Future Trends will present to a national audience as part of Enterprise Week 2024.
- SPOTLIGHT EVENT: The Sustainability Imperative for your Business Success – a live audience with Liz Bonnin, world renowned natural History and Environmental broadcaster – Thursday, 7 March 12.00 noon to 1.30pm. (Organised by Local Enterprise Office Kildare) Liz Bonnin will take us through the many ways in which businesses any sector or size can look to change the way they operate to be more sustainable and have a smaller environmental footprint.
- Optimising your Bottom Line so as to create WEALTH for yourself Thursday, 7 March 12.30pm to 2pm This lunchtime event will help participants to stand back from the “rush of their day to day operational tasks, to gain more clarity regarding optimizing your bottom line so as to create WEALTH for yourself. The speaker is Blaise Brosnan, owner and Managing Director of Management Resource Institute, business advisor and a three times published author.
- Celebrate International Women’s Day – Discover your Power: Aligning Core Values for your Business Success – Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore Friday, 8 March 2pm to 4pm Join us on International Women’s Day for a delightful afternoon tea dedicated to celebrating the incredible achievements of women. The keynote speaker is Eileen Fleming of FG Innovate Management and The Buff Day Spa.
Most of these events are free to attend. Full details and bookings can be made via www.localenterprise.ie/offaly.
Orla Martin, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Offaly said: ‘Local Enterprise Week is a fantastic marker in the road for any business. It’s an opportunity to take stock of where you are, see where you can grow, innovate, or become more sustainable, and discover the resources available on your doorstep. There is something for everyone, and for those with the ambition to start their own business, this is the week to see how to get started and make it happen.’
‘There are hundreds of events taking place all over the country covering everything from exporting and digital to going green or growing that idea. We also have two National Spotlight events taking place online and open to everyone that include experts from a range of industries. So online or on your doorstep, I would encourage everyone to check out the schedule of events and get involved.’
For more information on how Local Enterprise Office Offaly can help your business, get in touch on 057 9357480 or email info@leo.offalycoco.ie.