*Sarah O’Sullivan of SOS Cookies.
Local Enterprise Week returns to Clare with a series of events aimed at boosting the county’s start‑ups and small firms, including a major exporters forum and a Women in Business networking session.
Running from Monday to Friday next week (2-6 March), the initiative is supported by Enterprise Ireland and Clare County Council and is hosted by Local Enterprise Office Clare. The programme includes business advice clinics in Kilkee, Shannon, Scarriff, Ennis and Ennistymon, as well as workshops on social media, productivity, cyber security and exporting.
A two‑day Photography for Artists course, delivered with Creative Ireland and Clare County Council Arts Office, will help artists improve how they document and promote their work.
One of the centrepieces of the week is the Women in Business Networking Event at The Inn at Dromoland on 4 March from 10am to 1pm. Speakers include Sarah O’Sullivan of SOS Cookies and Caroline Keeling, former chief executive of Keelings, who will discuss their business journeys and leadership experience.
The Beyond Borders: The Mid-West Export Drive event will take place at the Castletroy Park Hotel in Limerick on 5 March from 9.30am to 1pm. It will feature export agency panels and networking opportunities for businesses in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary seeking to expand into international markets. Representatives from LEO, the Irish Exporters Association, Enterprise Ireland and the Enterprise Europe Network will take part.
A national event, the Development Summit at Google’s European headquarters in Dublin, will examine how technology can support Irish businesses.
Other events include a food webinar delivered by food and retail adviser James Burke and a lunch‑and‑learn session outlining the productivity supports available through LEO Clare.
Bernadette Haugh, Head of Enterprise at LEO Clare, said the Local Enterprise Week programme of events is designed to offer practical support to anyone with a business idea or an ambition to grow. “This annual initiative is a useful vehicle for encouraging start‑ups and SMEs to share and learn from each other’s experiences as well as learn about the training, expert advice and financial supports available from LEO Clare to anyone seeking to set up a new or invest in an existing business”.
Registration is required for all events at www.localenterprise.ie/clare or by contacting LEO Clare on 065 6821616. All events are free, with early booking advised.
Sarah O’Sullivan of SOS Cookies
