I went to the official launch of CorkMeet 2010 yesterday.
In Cork County Hall, 17th floor of what must be the tallest live building in Cork, at 5.30pm. There were about 150 people there for the event (15% women). I stood alongside Conor Keane, business editor Irish Independent – media partner to CorkMeet.
Jim Daly, new Cork County Mayor, introduced the launch. Martin Riordan, county manager, Ciara Crossan WeddingDates.ie, Conor Healy, Cork Chamber, and Micheál Martin, Irish minister for foreign affairs also spoke.
I was surprised Cork City Council was not there.
At CorkMeet 2009, this business made many excellent contacts – and subsequently gained new clients. I was very impressed with the first year of CorkMeet – and 2010 it may even improve.
George Hook & Newstalk Radio are behind it – supporting it as media partner.
After the speeches I met Kathy O’Dwyer of Internsinternational.ie & Yvonne Coughlan RSVP - among others. There was a good buzz in the room. I also met one of the Polish embassy staff whom I’d met in 2009. It looks as if there will be businesses from France, Rumania, UK, Belgium, Spain, Czech Republic – at least – at 2010.
The new feature for 2010 is a “Meet the buyers” session. About 25 multinational buyers will meet SMEs for a facilitated round table discussion. This is designed to get the people from big corporates closer to small business entrepreneurs – for the benefit of both, I’d say.
CorkMeet 2010 will target all Ireland – hopefully get people from Northern Ireland down too.
Maeve Bowen is the overall project manager – and I hope to meet her in the Enterprise Park in Macroom soon – for a bit of the inside story behind this enterprising business development.
Anther business partner to CorkMeet 2010 is B2B Print.
Ran out of time now – but I have notes on what was said by the speakers – hope to add those later…
2 Comments
Great article! Love the image!