STIMULATING AND SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESS IN IRELAND

Mayo Ideas Week (27 September - 1 October 2010)

By Joan Fahey, September 22, 2010

The first ever Mayo Ideas Week (27 September – 1 October 2010) promises to be a landmark event for enterprise development in Mayo. It is a co-ordinated series of idea generation and entrepreneurship events in venues all over the county hosted by Mayo Ideas Lab through its partner agencies. Mayo Ideas Week was launched by Mr Dara Calleary, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in Aras Inis Gluaire Civic Centre, Belmullet on Thursday 16th September.

Mayo Ideas Week focuses on industry sectors which show potential for growth in Co. Mayo. Events will highlight trends and opportunities for new enterprise in these sectors including Tourism, Medical Devices, Digital Media and the Creative Industries. Events highlighting and supporting entrepreneurship in general will also feature as part of the week. Most events are free of charge but do need to be booked in advance.

Events being held during the week include:

New Opportunities & Effective Networking in Tourism with Professor Jim Deegan, Head of Tourism Policy at University of Limerick - 2.30pm on Monday 27that the Civic Centre Belmullet and 9.30am on Tuesday 28th at Hotel Ballina. Register with Erris Tourism, Tel: 097 82292 for Belmullet and Mayo North East LEADER Partnership, Tel: 094 9256745 for Ballina.

New Opportunities for Farm Resources with Paul McCarthy and Peter Young, presenters of the popular RTE “Higher Ground” TV series at the Gateway Hotel, Swinford on Monday 27th at 7pm. Register with Mayo North East LEADER Partnership, Tel: 094 9256745.

Investing in Business at 11am on Tuesday 28th with Laura Lynch of Mazars Tierney Accountants and Gerry Mackey of the Halo Business Angels Partnership and Pitching your Business Plan to Investors (2-4pm and must be booked in advance) Both events are in JJ Gannons, Ballinrobe. Register with HPSU Skillnet, Tel: 086 6389757.

Digital Media and the Creative Industries with Dr. Stephen Brennan of the Digital Hub, Paul Cummins, CEO of Telegael and Mayo based creative artists, at 2pm on Wednesday 29th in the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar. Register with Mayo County Development Board, Tel: 094 9047545.

IdeaGen – Medical Devices in Castlebar on Wednesday 29th. Facilitated idea generation workshop on medical devices sector. Please register in advance with Enterprise Ireland, Tel: 091 735900.

Leonard Moran of Ovagen and Jonathan Ruane of Eventovate are the entrepreneurs speaking at IiBCs Spirit of Entrepreneurship at 6pm in GMIT on Thursday 30th. Register with IiBC at GMIT, Tel: 094 9043198.

Leadership in Business Programme This programme will be based in Belmullet and will run over the period October to November 2010 in five sessions of 1.5 days each, covering: Leadership, Strategy, Innovation, Marketing and Sales. There is a charge for this programme and booking is essential with HPSU Skillnet, Tel: 086 6380757

Wind Energy with Michael Walsh, CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association at 2pm on Friday 1st October in Aras an Chontae, The Mall, Castlebar. Register with South West Mayo Development Company Ltd., Tel: 098 41950.

For further information contact:
Joan Fahey, Nuálann Mhaigh Eo / Mayo Ideas Lab, Áisleann Bhéal an Mhuirthead, Bóthar an tSéipéil, Béal an Mhuirthead, Co. Mhaigh Eo. Teil: 097-27945, Fón Gluaisteach: 086-1764356, ríomhphost: jfahey@westbic.ie

Or Seamus McCormack, WESTBIC, Lower Main Street, Foxford, Co. Mayo. Tel: 094-9256745, Mobile: 086-2574978, Email: smccormack@westbic.ie