Retailers Get Social in Association with LEO and Dungarvan Chamber.

‘Retailers Get Social’ this March at DEC!

As you’re likely already aware, next week 7^th-13^th March is National Enterprise Week, which is a fantastic opportunity to inform, advise and motivate businesses and potential entrepreneurs as to the latest news in enterprise as well as the range of supports and opportunities available to them. With this in mind, we at Dungarvan Enterprise have entered into the spirit of things and are delighted to announce this exciting, free event which we have arranged in conjunction with the Local Enterprise Office and Dungarvan Chamber:

What: Retailers Get Social

When: Thursday 10th March 9.30am-1.00pm

Cost: FREE

Where: Dungarvan Enterprise Centre

Aidan Geraghty, founder of VideoTree.

This half-day seminar will comprise talks and demonstrations from a number of trail-blazers of the retail industry. It will begin with a talk from video guru Aidan Geraghty, founder of VideoTree, a video-marketing expert whose company works with SME’s and other businesses who wish to incorporate a video strategy into their marketing. Aidan has an impressive range of experience with digital marketing and he also organised the Startup of You (SoY) event in 2013 for JCI Dublin, an international network of young business owners, professionals and those looking to explore new paths, of which he is an active member. You can find out more about VideoTree by viewing their website.

Justin Kearns, creator of Tucr

There will be an exclusive demonstration from Justin Kearns of his newly-launched mobile e-commerce app, Tucr, which is set to revolutionise shopping by merging the online and in-store experience, converting window-shoppers into customers. Last year Tucr took part in the Brave Business Conference 2015 and was recommended by websummit.net as one of the Top Ten Tech Start-Ups to Watch Out For. Find out more here!

Also speaking on the day will be Samantha Kelly, aka Tweeting Goddess. Winner of the Bank of Ireland Start-Up Hero 2014 award, Samantha teaches Twitter-for-Business workshops and runs Twitter campaigns for companies, in addition to co-founding the Social Media Summit and winning numerous Twitter awards, including the illustrious 'Tweetie' award. She also recently spoke at TedX Omagh. You can find out more about Samantha and her work with Twitter here.

A light lunch will be provided on the day and all are welcome to attend.

Easter Coding Camp Offers Great Chance for Children to Learn Computer Skills

Easter Coding Camp Offers Great Chance for 

Children to Learn Computer Skills

Dungarvan Enterprise Centre in association with Local Enterprise Office will be running a Coding Camp for children aged between 8 and 14 from Tuesday 7^th April to Friday 10^th April 2015.

The Action Plan for Jobs 2015 emphasises the importance of computer literacy to the future. Jordan Casey is a fine example of the benefits of learning digital language from a young age. The 14 years old Waterford entrepreneur is the CEO of his own company, Casey Games-an award winning independent video game company. Click here and watch a short movie  about Jordan . 

The teenage tech prodigy’s company has had success developing apps for mobiles and the web such as Greenboy Touch, Alien Ball versus Humans, and Food World.

The Dungarvan Enterprise Centre's Coding Camp will be run in association with Calypso IT local based apps as well as developing skills in writing HTML, using quiz HTML, and coding CSS.

The week long camp will be delivered by the teacher and industry professional who also volunteers at Tramore Coder Dojo.

The camp is suitable and will be beneficial for children with an interest in computers, gaming and coding or children who have a keen interest to develop skills in these areas.

The camp will run from 10am to 1pm. The cost is €80 per child.

For further enquiries or to book now, call (058) 23598 or email dungarvanec@gmail.com. 

Chamber After-Hours in Association with WEN and Dungarvan Enterprise Centre

Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber's After-Hours events have become an integral part of the business calendar in Dungarvan. An After-Hours with a twist took place last Thursday 19th April at Dungarvan Enterprise Centre. The Centre hosted the event, which was a joint evening among Chamber and Waterford WEN members. Three exhibitors from each network organisation showed their wares, in addition to the usual networking and nibbles associated with After Hours.

The event was a great success, with 50 local business representatives attending. Waterford WEN is the organisation for women in business in West Waterford, supported by Waterford County Enterprise Board. Three WEN members; Workhouse Studios, Birthday Gifts and Hearts & Crafts; were kept busy meeting visitors and selling their unique craft products. Dungarvan Chamber members who exhibited were IamofIreland, Flowers, etc and Garret Dillon Kitchens & Furniture. Each exhibitor displayed a wide array of their products and Robin of Flowers etc did a very engaging flower-arranging demonstration.

Speaking at the event, Colette Bannon of The Work Coach, incoming Chamber President said "We're delighted to welcome Dungarvan Enterprise Centre on board as a Chamber member and would like to congratulate Mags Durand O'Connor on her appointment as Centre manager." The event was a great opportunity for local businesses to meet other members of the business community and to show their products."

"Our whole aim is to support local enterprise," said Durand O'Connor, "We offer affordable high-spec office space to start-up and expanding businesses. Through our anchor tenant Waterford County Enterprise Board we also offer business support. We're delighted to welcome such a dynamic mix of businesses to the centre and we hope to continue to act as a hub for enterprising activity." For further information on Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber contact 058 45054, for further information on Dungarvan Enterprise Centre contact 058 23598 and for further information on Waterford WEN contact 086 8271954.

New Enterprise Centre to Bring Entrepreneurship to Main Street, Dungarvan

Significant Savings of €1.1million Made through Novel Approach take to Fund the Centre.

Mr Phil Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government officially opened Dungarvan's Enterprise Centre on Friday. Speaking at the opening Minister Hogan commended the partnership between the local community, the local development agencies and private business that led to the provision of the Enterprise Centre the Main Street of the Town. The Enterprise Centre will provide office space, conference facilities and business mentoring services to business start-ups in West Waterford.

According to the Mayor of Dungarvan, Teresa Wright, 'a Community - Public - Private Partnership approach was taken to the development of the centre. The local community entered into a lease agreement with Glanbia, owners of the building, to develop it as an enterprise centre. The community then received grant aid from Waterford LEADER Partnership to make the building fit for use for start-up businesses in the town. This approach saved significant funding, and brings regeneration to Dungarvan Town Centre' Mayor Wright added.

Fearghal Reidy, Economic Development Officer at Waterford County Council explained how the savings were achieved. The original plan was to construct a €1.3million enterprise centre on the outskirts of Dungarvan. However, the community group was unable to raise the borrowings required to complete the project. They approached Glanbia, who own a vacant building on Main Street, Dungarvan, who agreed to enter into a lease agreement with the community to develop the enterprise centre. The costs reduced from €1.3million to €200,000 a saving of €1.1million, while still providing the same enterprise space and facilities.

'The beauty of this is three fold' stated Denis McCarthy, Waterford County Manager. 'It provides entrepreneurs with space required to start their businesses, it brings regeneration to the Main Street of Dungarvan, adding to the vibrancy of the Town and it is delivered in a cost effective way' Mr McCarthy highlighted that the enterprise centre is a key element of a five year economic plan that Waterford County Council is implementing. 'The plan is yielding real results, the Dungarvan centre is one of a network of Community Enterprise Centres in the County, including Dunhill, Cappoquin, Lismore, Tallow and the Innovation Centre at WIT'. Mr McCarthy thanked the voluntary committee who developed the centre. 'This centre is a fine example of the work of communities throughout the County'.

The Dungarvan Enterprise Centre is a one-stop-shop for business start-ups in County Waterford. The County Enterprise Board has already taken up offices at the Centre, and offers a range of financial supports and mentoring for eligible businesses. The Centre also received a grant from Enterprise Ireland to employ a Manager, Margaret Durand. Ms Durand has a marketing background, and is an experienced in business mentoring. 'The centre offers businesses start-ups with a great location in the heart of Dungarvan' stated Margaret. Offices are well specified, with CAT 5 telecommunications infrastructure. Offices, ranging in size, are available to let at very reasonable rates. 'We have devised a letting agreement that is not too onerous on businesses, who face enough bureaucracy when starting up. Businesses can also use the conference facilities and the full range of mentoring support that are available at the Centre' stated Ms Durand.

For further information on Dungarvan Enterprise Centre contact Margaret Durand at Tel 058 - 23598

Speed Show Does the Business

Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber, in association with Waterford WEN, hosted the region's first 'Speed Show' on Tuesday 21st Feb at Dungarvan Enterprise Centre. The event was very well attended, with a wide variety of local businesses coming along to grab opportunities and share referrals.

The Speed Show marries two concepts; speed networking and show your business. Speed networking is a unique means of introducing your business to a large number of people in a short space of time through rapid dedicated one-to-one time with a number of different contacts. Based loosely around the idea of speed dating, speed networking sees business-owners move around a room sharing business cards and referrals with at least fifteen other businesses.

Show Your Business offers a two-minute showcase where a business owner can unashamedly promote their business to a captive audience. The speed show slots were assigned through a lottery which saw Tracy Quinlan of Evolve Training & Recruitment Centre, Karen Dempsey of Karen Dempsey Photography, Éimhín Ní Chonchúir of The Marketing Table, Emma Penruddock of iamofireland and David Walsh of Better Finance introduce their businesses to the attendees whilst benefitting from the opportunity to ask for specific referrals and state why you should buy from them.

"As a women's enterprise network, we enjoy working with Dungarvan Chamber to help broaden our network members' pool of contacts and help drive opportunities through the local business community,C says Mags Durand O'Connor, network manager, "we look forward to organising more events with Chamber as the year goes on." If you would like further information on upcoming Dungarvan Chamber events, please go to www.dungarvanchamber.ie and for further information on Waterford WEN or Dungarvan Enterprise Centre please contact mags@makenmarketing.com