Business First December 2017 December BF Digital

ENTERPRISE WEEK 2017 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to host Enterprise Week 2017 I n line with its priority to grow the local economy, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is hosting Enterprise Week 2017 as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 13th – 18th). This packed programme of events is aimed at businesses, entrepreneurs and wouldbe entrepreneurs. There are a number of free events which will appeal to established businesses, those just getting started and those with the next big idea. With Ulster Bank as principal sponsor and further support from CIDO Ltd and Banbridge District Enterprise Ltd., Enterprise Week 2017’s theme is ‘Inspire, Innovate and Invest’. The vision is to create a culture of entrepreneurship and support ambitions to create 7,000 new jobs in the area by 2026. There will be an event to suit every type of business. The first event, ‘An Entrepreneur’s Journey’, is a night of informal, practical advice from some of the Borough’s most successful entrepreneurs. This will be a great opportunity for new and existing local entrepreneurs to receive advice from those who have already proved their success locally, encouraging entrepreneurial spirit. Similarly, if you’re in the process of bringing your startup to life, or are considering starting your own business, this event will offer substantial insights. ‘Ready, Set, Grow’ is the perfect support shop for local businesses and entrepreneurs. A combination of a speeddating format and expert advice on various topics from export to crossborder issues, this event offers invaluable and free advice to local business people, all under one roof. If you think your business could benefit from some of the advice on offer, the council would encourage you to register via the Eventbrite page as spaces are limited, and highly sought after! The ‘Inspire, Innovate and Invest’ flagship event on Thursday evening in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh, offers attendees a chance to hear from three local business people who have taken the three ‘I’s, and used them to form successful businesses. Entrepreneurs and businesses are invited to attend this event for an evening to consider how to successfully grow and expand your firm. As well as hearing how others have 34 www.businessfirstonline.co.uk Pictured in the Elk & Clipper, a chain of barbers set up by local entrepreneur Dwaine Smyth, are Lord Mayor Gareth Wilson and Paul Reid, Business Development Manager, principal sponsor Ulster Bank. achieved success there will be a chance to network during a drinks reception and a musical performance. On Friday morning, the i² CIDO Innovation Centre, Craigavon will host breakfast and ‘To Innovation and Beyond’. This event will launch Council’s innovative Digital Economy Strategy and will allow guests to network, and hear how innovation can drive business success at all levels. There will also be a Q&A panel discussion with local innovators and key stakeholders. The next generation of local entrepreneurs haven’t been forgotten either. On Tuesday YouthBank will host a ‘Night of Ambition’ for young people to interact with council representatives and traders to explore if being an entrepreneur is a career path to follow. Similarly the ‘Teenage Market’ on Saturday in Banbridge will give young, local talent a chance to practice their selling skills at YouthBank’s popup market. If you’re in the area, come and meet the Borough’s future entrepreneurs and take a look at their quality products – you could be an original investor in the Borough’s next big success! As you can see, there’s something for everyone and local businesses are encouraged to attend as many of these events as possible. The wealth of entrepreneurial knowledge on offer across the Borough is not to be missed! However, if you cannot attend an event, get involved on social media with #GEW2017 and #ABCEW17 and keep the entrepreneurial spirit going! For details on all the events featured at Enterprise Week and to reserve your place visit: abcenterpriseweektickets2017. eventbrite.co.uk Enterprising Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon This enterprising Borough is already home to over 8,000 businesses including well known firms such as Almac, Moy Park, Hyster Yale, Interface, Ulster Carpets, Irwin’s and Tayto. There are also over 13,000 people in selfemployment. 70 per cent of the local economy is private sector based and the area accounts for 11 per cent (£3.7bn) of Northern Ireland’s economic output, up from 9.4 per cent in 2013. According to Roger Wilson, CEO, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council: “The large number of multinationals based in the Borough is proof that this is a great place to do business with excellent transport links, a strategic location on the Belfast Dublin corridor and a skilled talent pool. “We want, however, to do more, to encourage a new generation of entrepreneurs and create an environment where enterprise permeates everything we do. Enterprise Week is a chance for businesses to network, identify new partners and customers, and avail of the wide range of support on offer.”

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