Donegal entrepreneurs are being encouraged to take advantage of the array of events and topics on offer at this year’s Local Enterprise Week to help them find that spark to set up or grow their business. Local Enterprise Week runs from Monday, 6th to Friday, 10th March and is a collaboration between Local Enterprise Office and its partners.
The official launch event of Local Enterprise Week is Down To Business With Bobby Kerry of Newstalk, which takes place in the Radisson Blue at 10am on Monday 6th March.
In total 23 separate events will make up Local Enterprise Week 2023, with partners including WestBIC, ATU Donegal, Údarás NaGaeltachta, Ernact, Donegal County Council, Alpha Innovation, Donegal ETB, Donegal Women In Business Network, Inishowen Development Partnership, Inishowen Innovation, Fáilte Ireland, WiSAR Lab and Enterprise Ireland all contributing to the comprehensive schedule.
Commenting on this year’s programme of events, Brenda Hegarty, Head of Enterprise Donegal said: “The theme for this year’s Local Enterprise Week is ‘Be Inspired’, and it is about giving entrepreneurs the platform to become excited about their business and enthused over new tips, advice and guidance that can be gained throughout the week to help accelerate the growth of their business. The excellent partnerships that we have in place with our stakeholders, coupled with our combined skills and resources, means we can deliver an exceptional programme of events that is client focused and addresses many of the challenges that entrepreneurs currently face. This Local Enterprise Week has everything required to ‘Be Inspired.”
The official launch event of Local Enterprise Week Donegal takes place on Monday, 6th March in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny with guest speaker Bobby Kerr, one of Ireland’s best-known businessmen who will share his experience of success and failure and valuable take-home lessons for local enterprise. Bobby will be joined by a panel of entrepreneurs featuring Larissa Feeney, Paul McNulty, and Malachi Eastwood who will share their stories of starting and growing businesses throughout Donegal.
Deirdre McQuillan, Fashion Editor of The Irish Times is MC and Host at Inspired Yarns: Stories of Donegal’s Fashion and Textile Industry on Thursday, 9th March at Crolly Distillery.
Also taking place on Monday, 6th March is “LEAN – Inspire Productivity & Efficiency in Your Business.” Robert Hernan will be at the Radisson Blu Hotel to discuss LEAN and the tools and techniques to encourage and increase your business’ performance and competitiveness.
The focus is on digital on Tuesday, 7th March with the “Digital Marketing Expo” event, which will take place at the Clanree Hotel with guest speakers Eric Roberts, Cathal Sheridan and Laura Willis. Keynote speaker Louise McDonnell and host Greg Fry will bring together inspirational leaders, idea-provoking panellists, engaging presentations and networking opportunities that will help small businesses to grow online. Donna McDade and Emma Murray will also discuss digital trends for 2023 at the event.
On Wednesday, 8th March, which is also International Women’s Day, “Building Firm Foundations” will take place at Lough Eske Castle, where speakers Brenda Hegarty and Louize Carroll will focus on the importance of firm foundations for personal and business growth. Jo Daly, President of Donegal Women in Business Network and Carole Murray of Pearl & Lace, will share insights of growing your business online and how firm foundations play an important part.
Local Enterprise Week takes place from Monday, 6th – Friday, 10th March and this year’s theme is ‘Be Inspired.’ Find out more at www.localenterprise.ie/Donegal.
“Inspired Yarns: Stories of Donegal’s Fashion & Textile Industry” will take place at Crolly Distillery on Thursday, 9th March. Following on from the success of Yarns, the two-day conference held in the Northwest, this event will explore the unique role that the fashion and textile industry has played in Donegal’s cultural and economic development. Guest speakers are Lorna Macauley, Donnchadh Ó Baoill, Muiris Kennedy MBS, Chris Weiniger and Kieran Molloy. This event is hosted by Deirdre McQuillan, Fashion Editor of the Irish Times, who will explore her current passions, including the campaign for PGI status in Europe for Donegal Tweed.
On the final day of Local Enterprise Week “Business & Sport: Inspirational Leadership Lessons” takes place in the Clanree Hotel. Enda McNulty, Brent Pope, Michael Murphy and Nina Carberry will share the experiences and sacrifices that made them a success in their field and in the business industry.
Business and Sport: Inspirational Leadership Lessons will hear leading lights in Irish Sport, Brent Pope, Nina Carberry and Michael Murphy sharing their experiences with Enda McNulty.
Local Enterprise Week is the perfect opportunity for small businesses to dip into a specific area of interest and gather information on a topic that may be relevant to their business now or in the future. It is also a great opportunity to utilise the various programmes and supports available through the Local Enterprise Office. Booking is essential. See www.localenterprise.ie/Donegal for more information.
