Led by President, Patrick Coveney, and CEO, Gina Quin, this visit is the perfect platform for North West SME’s and Larger Companies to attend pre-arranged one-to-one meetings with Dublin companies. 

Ireland is a modern knowledge economy focusing on services and high-tech industries and ranked as one of the wealthiest economies in the OECD. The UK remains Ireland’s key trading partner (Ireland is UK’s fifth largest export market) and the bilateral relationship between the two countries has never been stronger.

Strengths of the market: – Open Economy, used to imports – Same time zone – Low-cost regular flights from all over the UK to international airports: Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock. Also UK flights to regional airports: Kerry, Galway and Waterford. – Ideal starter or test export market with similar regulatory and legal framework to UK 

AGENDA

Wednesday 30th May 2012

14.00-17.00

Pre-arranged one to one meetings Location: Warren Bruce Court, Trafford Park, M17 1LB

Thursday 31st May 2012

9.15-11.15

Pre-arranged one to one meetings Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Manchester City Centre

Who is this suitable for?

Companies in Financial and Professional, Leisure, Hospitality, Tourism and Hotels, ICT, Consultancy, Education, PR and Public Sector. Targeted at SME’s and Larger Companies

In this session John will seek to define the term more precisely and distinguish hype from reality. John will discuss the power of insight, and how Big Data solutions can provide greater visibility into the factors impacting the performance and health of your business.

John will also discuss some of the challenges you may encounter implementing Big Data solutions, and some recommended best practices for overcoming those challenges.

John Spens heads ThoughtWorks’ Analytics Practice, where he brings over twenty years of experience in delivering custom software and business intelligence solutions.

SAScon Conference offers delegates Twitter and much, much more

The SAScon conference has over 56 panellists who are all renowned thought leaders in the search, analytics and social media space.

Dom Burch, head of corporate communications & social media at ASDA, Nick Garner, Global Head of Search of Unibet, Ben McKay, Head of SEO at Moneysupermarket.com, Ralph Tegtmeier aka Fantomaster and Martin Bryant, managing editor of The Next Web are just a few of the panellists to sign up.

They join the keynote speaker Bruce Daisley, UK Director of Twitter in tackling topics as diverse as online branding through search, mobile marketing, link building and ‘where social media meets PR.’

SAScon runs over two days (17-18 May 2012) at The Hive, Manchester, and tickets are on sale via the SAScon website, http://www.sascon.co.uk/.  Further keynote speakers and panellists will be announced in due course, along with details of a very special Google+ Hangout.

Richard Gregory, Chief Operating Officer of Latitude and a founder of SAScon, said, “The panellists are drawn from client and agency side, providing a good balance of commercial and strategic insight. We are adding panellists all the time and still have some very exciting people to add to the conference roster, but today’s announcement helps to provide clarity on the SAScon programme for anyone considering buying a ticket.  Buy a ticket now to avoid disappointment.”

The full list of speakers is available to follow on Twitter via this Twitter list.  Their LinkedIn details are available here on the SAScon website.

SAScon 20012 is sponsored by Manual Link Building and Search Metrics.

Tickets for the event cost £125.00 and tables come at the prices of £1250.00 (for ten) or £1500.00 (for twelve).

• Wednesday 16 May, from 08:30 until 17:30, and
• Thursday 17 May, from 08:30 until 16:00

For full details on costs for being a part of the event see: http://www.campaignpartners.co.uk/biba/delregfee.htm

1. Where to access finance in Rochdale

• Regional Growth Fund
• North West Fund
• Loans

2. Where to get help for expansion

3. What the new Manufacturing Advice Service has to offer in your area

• Specialist and practical support for businesses

4. What funding is available for training and skills development

• Employer Lead Scheme
• Apprenticeships

5. Hear from two successful local businesses in the manufacturing/engineering sector – TYGAVAC Advanced Materials Ltd and Hanson Springs

Refreshments will be served from 8am, with an opportunity to tour the new Hopwood Hall Tecnology Centre after the event finishes at 10:30am.

To book a place at the breakfast please e-mail: christine.buckley@rochdale.gov.uk

Derek Deighton (Trailblazer Business Futures)
Anne Dornan (University of Manchester/MSP)
Tony Walker (UMIC)

The seminar will look at how to carry out legal risk management for your business as well as providing practical actions and examples of steps that you can take to minimise legal risk looking across areas that relate to your business such as commercial contracts, competition law, employment, intellectual property and company secretarial. The seminar will also look at what free web based resources are available and how to use them.

About the speaker:

With a background as UK legal counsel for a multinational chemical company, Rachel Wilkinson now works with smaller technology-based businesses to provide pragmatic legal support on commercial issues. She will be talking about how businesses can assess, minimise and manage the legal risks in their business to hopefully avoid expensive and time-consuming legal issues.

RW Legal Ltd

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn

Programme:

12.00 – 12.30 Lunch and Networking

12.30 – 13.30 Seminar

13.30 – 14.00 Q&A

About the Host:

For over 25 years, Manchester Science Parks has supported the growth of innovative companies across sectors such as ICT, biotechnology, industrial technologies and digital media.

We offer quality business accommodation to innovative, knowledge based companies. On top of this we provide first rate business development support including seminars, networking events, access to academic resources and a free PR service. We also provide introductions to programmes, people and funding in order to help companies to grow and to sustain that growth.

The event is free.

Businesses of all shapes and sizes are invited to enter one or more of the eight categories, which this year will include two brand new awards – Rising Star and Best Employer. To be in with a chance of winning an award you must get your entries in by Friday 17th February.

Businesses can enter via the Salford Business Awards website either by completing their application online or by downloading a copy of the application form.

A full list of award categories and criteria are also available on the website. All entrants are automatically entered into the Business of the Year Award.

The Business group Salford would like to invite you to take part in the Awards as a category sponsor. This remarkable offer gives you the opportunity to raise the profile and visibility of your business and brand to a large and diverse audience, positioning you at the heart of the thriving Salford business community. In addition, sponsoring an Award will associate your brand with business success and demonstrate your support for Salford businesses.

Sponsorship of individual award catergory: £2,500 + VAT

For further information please contact Jon Monk on 0161 278 2519 or Joanne Hall on 0161 793 3428.

There will be three presentations on the night, along with a chance to hear from, and network with, local companies who have benefited from major events.

Bolton 2012
Bolton Council – Year of Sport
Keith Davies, Director of Development and Regeneration, Bolton Council

Procurement and other opportunities in Olympic year and beyond
Katherine O’Connor, NW Business Lead for the 2012 Games, London 2012 Business Network

Ironman UK Triathlon 2012 – how your business can benefit from Ironman UK
Patrick Alexander, Commercial Manager, Ironman Britain and Ireland

Registration 6pm

Refreshments and buffet will be provided (Halal options available). If you have any special dietary requirements, please contact Business Bolton on 01204 336139.

Please contact Business Bolton using the information below by Wednesday 25 January to reserve your free place. (Maximum one per business)