Each year the Local Enterprise Office run a series of programmes and events to promote entrepreneurship across all sectors and regions. These include;
Local Enterprise Showcase – Showcase, an initiative of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland is Ireland’s international creative expo and takes place annually. To support the Irish craft and design sector, Local Enterprise Offices support companies to exhibit within the ‘Local Enterprise Showcase’ at the event, to enable them to connect with national and international trade buyers. Local Enterprise Showcase highlights the best up and coming new craft and design businesses from across the country.
Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships – Each year a select number of small businesses from across the country will have an opportunity to promote themselves at one of Ireland’s biggest events, as part of the Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships. 31 small businesses, one from each LEO, take a stand in the Local Enterprise Village in the heart of the Ploughing Championships, opening their businesses up to almost 300,000 prospective customers across the 3 days of the event.
Local Enterprise Week – Takes place every March, to showcase the range of enterprise supports on offer from the Local Enterprise Office and to provide networking and training opportunities to small businesses across the country. The week gives an opportunity for those with an idea or an early stage business to learn about how to take the next step and for those with an existing business to learn how they can scale.
National Enterprise Awards – Highlight the best small businesses from across the country. With each Local Enterprise Office nominating a business for the awards, it’s a chance to see some of Ireland’s best start-ups. The Awards include categories for Exporting, Innovation and Sustainability along with an overall award.
National Women’s Enterprise Day – Ireland’s largest female enterprise event is a full day programme to promote, encourage and stimulate female entrepreneurship across Ireland. It is designed and led by women and is an annual high point in promoting entrepreneurship to women in Ireland. The events feature a range of speakers including some of Ireland’s best known women in business and female entrepreneurs who have been on the start-up path. The day also allows business women to strengthen their networks and also learn what key supports are available to their business.
Student Enterprise Programme – The Local Enterprise Office champions youth entrepreneurship through the Student Enterprise Programme, which supports and nurtures the next generation of business owners and leaders. The programme is the largest enterprise initiative for students in the country. Since the programme began in 2003 over 300,000 students have taken part, with many continuing on their business into adulthood and others beginning new businesses on the back of their Student Enterprise experience.
For further information, or to book an appointment, please call 057 93 57480 or email info@leo.offalycoco.ie
For full details of our services, please click on the link to our dedicated website www.localenterprise.ie/offaly