Exciting list of events for Cork city's Local Enterprise Week

A number of events have been organised by Local Enterprise Office (LEO), Cork City for this year’s Local Enterprise Week.

The programme of in-person and online events will run from Monday, March 3 to Friday, March 7.

‘Enterprise After Dark’ takes place at the Clayton Hotel on Lapp’s Quay on Tuesday, March 4 and is aimed at businesses that work late, following the publishing of Cork City Council’s night time economy strategy at the end of last year.

Night Time Economy Advisor for Cork City Council, Fiona Collins, will be joined by keynote speakers including restauranteur and author, JP McMahon and ‘Night Czar’ of London City, Amy Lamé, to examine some of the needs of businesses that work into the night.

Another highlight of the week will be workshop on ‘Building your Entrepreneurial Mindset with LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®’, which will be facilitated by Dr Briony Supple, a senior lecturer in Design Thinking at the School of Education, University College Cork.

It is aimed at people who want to enhance their problem-solving, creativity, and adaptability skills using Lego bricks. It will take place on Wednesday, March 5 in 1 Horgan’s Quay.

Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office, Cork City, Dr Niall O’Keeffe said: “What we try to do every year is to organise events that meet the needs of businesses that are facing significant challenges from all quarters.

“So, we endeavour to give tips and ideas on how to drive down costs and how to increase revenues and there’s a mix of programmes like that,” he said.

“We have a couple of novel events this year. One in particular is a speed mentoring event in City Hall where you can meet up with experts in particular areas.” It will see attendees get 15 minutes to discuss their business challenges with three mentors at Millennium Hall, Cork City Hall on Friday, March 7.

‘Working Smarter, Not Harder’ will take place on Tuesday, March 4 at the Talbot Hotel in Ballincollig, and will see attendees hear the real life stories of people who have transformed their business by cutting waste.

Izz Café and Wave & Cave Clothing will both share their story of starting and growing their business at Stepping Stones to Self-Employment and Beyond on Thursday, March 6 at Republic of Work on South Mall.

Online events include a Business Advice Clinic on Monday, March 3 and an event called Health on the Go with Dr Fiona Barry on Thursday, March 6.

All events are free to attend but people need to book online in advance at www.localenterprise.ie/corkcity