First Virtual Local Enterprise Week a Huge Success
The first virtual Local Enterprise Week took place at the start of March and was a great success. This year’s virtual programme was designed to help Donegal businesses spring back into action. The week-long series of events is a collaboration between Local Enterprise Office Donegal and its partners, and Spring Back was the theme for the week.
Kicking off Local Enterprise Week were keynote speakers Emma Jones CBE and Mark Pollock who hosted “Spring Back and Step Forward” – a highly motivational online event focused on developing the leadership and resilience necessary to adapt to the challenges and opportunities facing businesses today. This event was launched by Minister Robert Troy, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion at the Department of Trade Enterprise and Employment.
Day two of Local Enterprise Week focused on sustainability and the Circular Economy with Dr. Declan Bogan, Bsc, PhD, who was joined by local businesses Cathrine Burke and Niall Campbell of Breac House and Kevin Eves of Enviro Grind.
Eileen Magnier moderated a panel of experts at the “Beyond Brexit” event; she was joined by RTE’s Europe Editor, Tony Connolly, Cathal Doherty of Nomadic Dairy, Steve Murnaghan, founder of NITC, and Ingrid De Doncker, CEO of IDDEA! as they discussed the realities of Brexit and examined what’s next for Ireland as businesses look to re-evaluate their trading partnerships and supply chains.
Other motivational and inspiring events throughout the week included Recipes For Successful Start-Ups, which featured Conall Laverty of WIA, Niall Horgan of Gym+Coffee and Cathal Sheridan of Huku balance. Letterkenny Institute of Technology presented the DICE (Design, Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise) Conference which celebrated and showcased the best of Irish and international practitioners in design, fashion, film, animation and entrepreneurship. Other events included “Grow Remote” which explored how remote work is bringing new opportunities for rural communities across Donegal.
The final day of Local Enterprise Week began with an event exploring how Donegal can collaborate to compete. On Monday, 8th March Donegal Women in Business presented a special event for International Women’s Day.
Michael Tunney, Head of Enterprise Donegal said: “With our first virtual Local Enterprise Week, we were able to bring a host of national and international speakers direct to your screen. This year’s programme was designed to help businesses Spring Back into action, and our opening event, “Spring Back, Step Forward” was one of ten spotlight events taking place across the country. We were also delighted with the feedback that we received from members of our diaspora who were, for the first time, able to tune into our Local Enterprise Week events from wherever they were in the world.”
If you missed any of the events you can watch them back here:
Monday 1st March 2021 – Spring Back & Step Forward
Tuesday 2nd March 2021 – Sustainability & The Circular Economy
Wednesday 3rd March 2021 – Beyond Brexit - Rising to the Challenge
Thursday 4th March 2021 – Recipes for Successful Start Ups
For details of upcoming events and the supports and services available go to our website at www.localenterprise.ie/donegal