Marie Dowling and her team at the fabulous DerryBawn House in Laragh, Co. Wicklow have invited us to DerryBawn House. We decided to hold our first annual members away day (well, afternoon) there, and will shortly be sending out invitations for Thursday, May 10th.

DerryBawn House is absolutely gorgeous, one of the most exclusive private houses for hire in the country. The Viking Bed has to be seen to be believed, and you will be so impressed by the entire house and grounds. We've been working on plans for NEO for the coming year, and would really appreciate our members feedback and input into the planning. So that's what we'll be actually doing - as well as enjoying the scenery and the hospitality of DerryBawn House.

A Michelin Starred Chef, a Barry White impersonator who was also quite the comedian, and best of all (for me) a couple of nights in the Sofitel Le Méditerranée in Cannes later this year!

The French Tourist Board in Dublin along with the French Riviera Tourist Board invited us along to an evening in Lillies Bordello earlier this week. The event was being held for the travel trade, to introduce Irish tour operators to the beauty of the French Riviera, in particular to Cannes, Grasse, Mougins and Antibes. I'm not entirely sure any of us need an introduction to it ...

Michelin starred chef Serge Gouloumès of the Restaurant Candille in Mougin dished up a gorgeous buffet of indescribable delicacies - oysters, aubergine, pollenta - but the pièce de resistance was the dessert tray. Not one tray, but hundreds of petit fours which were to die for, along with French cheese. Nobody could tell me the name of the compere, which was a real shame as he was an absolute hoot. French though, so probably not available for your average local shin-dig.

Anyhow, if you're planning a corporate retreat, or a seminar, conference or congress - and you'd like me to come - make it in the Euphories regions. Very worth a visit if you haven't been and just so much to do and see or not do and see. My business card was drawn out by the representative of the Sofitel Cannes Le Méditerranée. Since we're off to Las Vegas for our main holiday this year (less than 4 weeks to go, whoopee!) I hadn't wanted to suggest a trip to the South of France (although it's the one surefire way to re-generate myself). This way, we gotta go!

We are in the process of putting together an application for a development grant for an events industry skillnet. Skillnets are government/eu funded training programmes that are industry or regionally led. Companies and organisations come together to define their training needs and then also benefit from networking opportunities. Our industry is a classic example of an industry that needs its own skillnet.

We'd love you to tell us if you would be interested in hearing more about the skillnet, or if you think you would like to be a contributor. From my perspective as a supplier, I'd like to be able to display a quality mark of some sort. As an employer, I'd like to be have access to relevant training and continued professional development for my team. These are what our skillnet would provide.

If you have an interest in the skillnet, however basic or initial, please drop me an email: sarah_@_neoireland.com.

Days Hotels Ireland are really moving along swiftly these days (no pun intended) with the recent openings of Days Hotel Waterford, Castlebar, Park West, Dublin Airport and Kilkenny in 2006/2007. We love the Days Hotel Galway City - a 3 star officially, it has all the class and elegance of a 4 star, including the swimming pool... See www.dayshotelsireland.com for the full selection.

The Stillorgan Park Hotel is opening brand new state of the art conference boardrooms this month. Featuring Mounted Plasma Screens, DVD/VHS turner player, Surround sound system and Plug & play laptop facilities I'm sure they'll be enormously popular. They also have an April special of 50% on all meeting room bookings this month, so get in touch with Helen on 01 200 1800 or visit www.stillorganpark.ie for booking and more information.