Bizstartup.ie - NewsCORKMEET 2010 networking event

Taking place from 6 to 8 October in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island, Cork, CORKMEETis modelled on the international Futurallia concept and this year’s event is expected to generate new business prospects valued at €10m.

CORKMEET 2010 is funded and organised by Cork County Council and Cork County and City Enterprise Boards and organised in partnership with Cork Chamber.

The event will also feature an ‘international village’ where companies can make contact with chambers of commerce, embassies and other international organisations.

Last year’s inaugural CORKMEET saw 383 delegates taking part, with 2,500 one-to-one meetings arranged for 297 companies. Participants hailed from eight different countries and spanning 15 different business sectors, including agri-food and beverages, pharmaceutical and health, construction, engineering, craft and textiles, IT, energy supply, alternative energies, tourism, hospitality, transport and logistics.

Sean O’Sullivan, CEO, South Cork Enterprise Board, says: “There is enormous potential for new business to be generated at this year’s CORKMEET event. Last year was the inaugural year of the event during which 2,500 one to one meetings were arranged. This year we will double that reach with 4,000 one-to-one meetings planned for participating delegates.”

CORKMEET 2010 will also include  a ‘Meet the Buyer Forum’ where businesses will get the opportunity to meet more than 25 multinationals based in the Cork region on the first day of the event.  On the second day, there will be pre-arranged meetings all day for businesses.

One of last year’s participants, Ciara Crossan of Weddingdates.ie, says CORKMEET 2009 was a fantastic experience that helped grow her business: “I was able to arrange 10 back-to-back meetings during the day. I made new business contacts and generated sales as a result. I am very much looking forward to CORKMEET 2010 and the opportunities it will bring my business.”

According to Maeve Bowen, CORKMEET2010 project manager, this year’s event will have a strong international flavour, attracting interest from embassies and bi-lateral trade organisations.

“We have been working with these groups to increase the number of visiting delegations at this year’s event. We expect companies from France, Poland, Romania, and the UK. There is also interest from Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Spain and the Czech Republic.  We are also working through our connections to increase the numbers of companies from around Ireland, and from Northern Ireland at CORKMEET 2010.”

CORKMEETcosts €195 to attend. Delegates register their company, outline their business profile and who they would like to meet at the event. Businesses then go online to browse through other companies, identifying the companies they’d like to meet. To register online, click here. Alternatively, call 026 20520 for more information.