Meath Enterprise Week 2014 a huge success
30 events, a Conference and Exhibition later,
The Meath Enterprise Week was a success
With an objective to showcase Meath to the world, the first ever Meath Enterprise Week, Conference and Exhibition took place from 17th – 20th November. Focusing on three distinct themes of Digital, Food and Women in Business, the week long programme included enterprise events, seminars, workshops and schools programmes taking place all across County Meath.
The week culminated in a Meath Business Showcase and Conference in the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim on Thursday 20th November from 12.30pm. Starting with an EXPO of over 50 stands representing the three themes, the conference commenced at 2.30pm with a number of Panel Discussions on the conference theme topics and the live twitter feed throughout the conference added to the relevance of the event in the current digital age.
The week long Meath Enterprise Week showcased what Meath has to offer including a talented workforce, accessibility, affordable facilities and the perfect lifestyle for staff. It was apparent that Meath are attracting companies to set up business in the county.
The conference culminated with the launch of the ‘Make It Meath’ Entrepreneur competition by Meath County Council’s Chief Executive, Jackie Maguire. The competition offers a start up package to one successful new entrepreneur. The competition prize is in the region of €40,000 including start up finance, one year’s office accommodation, mentoring and business advice, as well as PR and Marketing advice. You can register your interest at #meathenterprisecompetitors. Full details of this new competition will soon be available on our website www.meathenterprisecentre.com
As outlined during one of the many seminars which took place, the recent inclusion of Kells, County Meath in the Regional Aid Map which the European Commission has approved, the future looks bright for Meath. With 90,634 of a labour force it has the 7th highest labour force nationally; Currently 53.7% of Meath residents with a fixed place of work are outbound commuters, the 4th highest nationally; 6,000 of its outbound commuters work in ICT, Financial and Professional services; And with savings on house purchases or rental for employees with a 30% average House Purchase and 47% average House Rental Savings compared to Dublin it is an attractive place to live. Meath also offers accessibility with 66% of the major motorways from the capital crossing it’s length and a travel time averaging 30 minutes to Dublin Airport and 38 minutes to the national port.
Gary O’Meara, Manager @Meath Enterprise, who chaired the steering committee to coordinate Meath Enterprise Week 2014 said “The message of Meath Enterprise Week 2014 was very clear – ‘Get Connected – Make it Meath’ and this message was embraced by an entire County last week. Local governement agencies, business groups, schools and entrepreneurs joined forces to showcase Meath to the world and this collaboration resulted in one of the largest and most successful County Enterprise Weeks ever to be rolled out in this Country. It really is a credit to all those who got involved and this is only the beginning – the future for Meath is very bright”.
Meath County Council Chief Executive, Jackie Maguire said “The Council will shortly launch an Economic Development Strategy for the county aimed at creating and supporting jobs in the local economy. Meath is a county that has a lot to offer to the business community and the new strategy will leave us well placed to capitalise on every opportunity that comes our way. Meath Enterprise Week 2014 has helped to get the message out that Meath is a great place to do business and the launch of the new ‘Make it Meath’ Entrepreneur competition at the Meath Enterprise Week Business Conference on Thursday, which will be rolled out by Meath Enterprise, is further proof of our commitment to promote and develop a culture of entrenrepeuship in Meath ”.
Meath County Council’s Director of Planning and Enterprise, Kevin Stewart, said, “Meath County Council was delighted to support this important event for Meath business. Meath Enterprise week 2014 showcased everything that Meath had to offer and demonstratded that as a county we are ideally placed and ready to take advantage of the upturn that has already started”.
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