Registration is continuing for MeetWest 2015, the largest business networking event in the West of Ireland this year.
Hosted by Roscommon County Council, MeetWest 2015 is a two-day business networking forum taking place at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, on November 18th and 19th 2015. Partners organising MeetWest 2015 are Roscommon County Council, Galway City Council, Galway County Council Mayo County Council, , Roscommon Local Enterprise Office, Mayo Local Enterprise Office, Galway Local Enterprise Office, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Western Development Commission, SCCUL Enterprises and supported by Enterprise Ireland and IDA.
Organised in partnership with the local authorities, local enterprise offices and state development agencies in Roscommon, Mayo and Galway, MeetWest brings together a wide range of companies from the West of Ireland and further afield to network and do business. Now in its 5th year, organisers have tailored this year’s programme to maximise new and innovative networking opportunities for attendees in a variety of formats.
It is anticipated that up to 400 delegates will attend the event making it an essential addition to every business diary.
Launching Meet West 2015 Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Councillor Paddy Kilduff said the event was a ‘not to be missed’ opportunity for businesses throughout the west to showcase their services and network with potential business partners.
‘A key objective of this event is to highlight the range of companies that are operating successfully in the region and create a momentum for further economic growth and recognise the potential synergies between businesses operating in the West and how business can support one another’, he said.
Roscommon County Council Acting Chief Executive Majella Hunt said: ‘Roscommon County Council is very pleased to host MeetWest 2015. This event will provide businesses in the west region with a great opportunity to generate new business and new business partnerships. The experiences of those who participated over the past five years highlight the benefits that this type of structured networking offers business. I would recommend to all businesses in the region to join in MeetWest 2015 and start doing new business.’
MeetWest 2015 will begin on Day 1 with a two hour panel discussion entitled “The Challengeof Change- Combining traditional and digital marketing for best results”. Speakers will include social media expert Greg Fey, Joe.ie founder Niall McGarry, Gary Quinn, Digital Editor Irish Times, Paul Young CEO of Cartoon Saloon and Ollie Daniels, CEO of the Insight Centre for Data Analytics. The discussion will be chaired by TV3’s Colette Fitzpatrick.
This will be followed by informal networking among delegates as they sample top quality produce from artisan producers based in County Roscommon.
Day 1 will finish with a networking dinner addressed by serial entrepreneur and technology investor Tom Morrisroe. A native of Ballaghadereen, Co. Roscommon, Morrisroe is founder of Dublin based The Now Factory which delivers analytical solutions to the world’s largest telecommunications operators.
Day 2 of MeetWest 2015 features the pre arranged business networking meetings. The purpose built software system supporting the event will allow participating delegates to have up to seventeen pre-arranged meetings on the day. Returning by popular demand this year will be a number of ten to one meetings where delegates can meet selected businesses with up to ten other delegates.
Registration for the event is now open on www.meetwest.ie. According to Sheila Byrnes, who has co-ordinated the event for the past five years ‘it is critically important for businesses to engage fully with the online registration process’.
‘In order for delegates to get the most from the two day event, it is important that they complete their online business profile which will include a description of their business and the businesses they want to meet at MeetWest 2015.’
‘Businesses attending should look at how best to present their company in such as way that they are attractive to other companies and not just potential customers,’ says Sheila.
Last year over 4,500 business meetings were held during the two day networking event which Sheila calls ‘speed dating for businesses’.
