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Around the Town with Conor |
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I not only went around the town this month, I was around the country. Off to both Limerick and Cork this month flying the NEO flag. Well, driving and taking the train, but there is a general flag theme in there somewhere. Showcases, Seminars and Networking training, NEO just keeps getting busier. Maybe, I can convince Sarah to hire an assistant for me...
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Fun Ireland- well have Fun! |
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Conor Savage(NEO Ireland) and John Fitzgerald(Fun Ireland)
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Back in the end of June, John Fitzgerald of Fun Ireland, an event management, PR and Team Building company invited me down to a showcase in the South Court Hotel in Limerick (part of the Lynch Group of Hotels). I didn't need much convincing, so down I went. The aim of the evening was to showcase the fantastic conference facilities that the hotel had to offer. With a warm welcome from Siobhan Hassett, the Business Development Manager for Limerick, I was on my way towards an entertaining evening. Fun Ireland had split the facilities into different rooms, showcasing the versatility of the venue. Fun Ireland had done and amazing job and their effect was clearly evident on the crowd who seemed, to me at least, very impressed with their surroundings. |
Our first room turned out to be a Casino Night and sure wasn't I in heaven? After a few rounds of blackjack and some prizes to give away (see right) we were off to another room for another presentation. And into a wardrobe we went into the land of Narnia. That's right folks, Narnia. Fun Ireland had kitted out the venue to sweep us up into the world of C.S Lewis and the crowd were very impressed. We were then treated to singing and dancing performers and into another room after. This room was a showcase for Fun Ireland themselves, though they had done a smashing job of impressing me so far. We got to learn a bit more about the company before moving onto dinner.
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Dinner is usually my favourite part of the day, this was no different down in Limerick. The South Court Hotel had put a spead in front of us like I've never seen. It didn't matter what your preference was, there was something for everyone. From steak, to chicken, to ham or soup to veg or salad. I was sold! After dinner there were riverdance style dancers that took us into the wee hours of the morning until it was time to hit the hay.
Conor Savage (NEO Ireland), Ann Breen (Regional Hospital Limerick) and Tim Madden (MayDay Managment Consultants)
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The South Court Hotel were very good to put me up in one of their 127 rooms, and I must say I was very comfortable. Next time I am in Limerick, I know where I will be staying.
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Chambers Ireland make over the business |
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On Wednesday 27th June, Sarah and myself were off to the Osprey Hotel and Spa in Nass, Co. Kildare for the Chambers Ireland business makeover seminar. Clyde Carroll, Chambers Ireland had met the Osprey team at our Events Day Conference in the Mansion House and liked them so much, he took an event down there. Another NEO success story! After some brief networking, we sat down to hear all about how to Makeover our Business. Rebecca Stevens (CEO of Sligo Chamber) was our chair for the day and she got us started by introducing the first speaker Neil Naughton (Glen Dimplex) telling us how a small electrical company in the 70's build it's global empire.
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Peter Draper (Former Director of Marketing, Manchester United), Rebecca Stevens (CEO, Sligo Chamber) and Conor Brennan (Deputy Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland) |
We were treated to some fantastic presentations throughout the day, including an illuminating one courtesy of Peter Draper of Manchester United who gave us some fantastic insight into the marketing of a football team and how far it reaches.The afternoon sessions were equally as interesting with John McElligott of eBay Ireland showing us how eBay has developed within Ireland over the past few years and how much of a benefit it can be to your company.
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This seminar gave some fantastic insight into the major success stories there are in the business world now days. Lunch in the Osprey was as always fantastic. As chance would have it I ended up sitting next to Eimear Winters of the Osprey, and just across the table was Aoife Walsh of Mergo Tourism Network in Waterford Institute of Technology. Small world indeed. Go into a room of strangers and meet two NEO members. :)
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Neil Naughton (Chief Executive of International Business Development, Glen Dimplex Group) |
I was pleased to see the delegate packs full of speaker presentations printed out, as I am the worst for making notes on hotel supplied paper and leaving them behind. Having the presentations at hand, I was able to enjoy the day without having to worry that I was going to be missing important points if I didn't write them down.
Huge congratulations to Clyde Carroll and his team in Chambers Ireland for a brilliant event!
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Went out to see what the lads from Emergent Events had to offer...
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Popeyed! - The strongman duo. |
The DareDevil Chicken Club |
All the way back on the 15th June, the first annual Jester's Ball took place in Dublin Castle. I'm sure you all remember hearing about it, and I hope that many of you got to enjoy this event in person, as it really was something not to be missed. The entire extended NEO team went out to see that the lads from Emergent Events had to offer. We even bumped into Lucy Horan (NEO Advisory Board) which is always a pleasant surprise.
The acts were fantastic on the night, with Mario Queen of the Circus performing MC duties. I would have to say that his hilarious commentary in between the acts was my favourite throughout the evening. I especially thought the history lesson on street performers to be highly illuminating. All in all, this event and the entire weekend that ensued was a huge success. Congratulations to everyone involved and I'll be booking my seat even earlier next year.
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SOS Networking with Tricia Murphy- our very own Queen of Networking |
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Tuesday of this week had me off to a SOS Networking Course to improve my skills. Tricia Murphy, Networking Consultant, Motivational Speaker and Managing Director of TiG Alliance was our host for the day. So you ask, what does the SOS stand for?
Skills – to build your confidence
Objectives – to focus your energies
Strategies – to achieve your goals
We learned how to deliver a fantastic elevator pitch, the best way to shake someone's hand and what to do when you get stuck in one of those awkward-networking situations.
However, this was no ordinary group that I was a part of. First order of the day was the lotto! One of my teammates decided that it would be a fantastic idea for us to kick start a networking syndicate. So we did. €4.00 each and off the shop I went to get our tickets. Since I've written this, the results are in. *drum roll* We won €5! Still though, I thought it was a fantastic idea, so next time you head on a training course, start your own syndicate.
Winning the lotto aside, I absolutely loved this course. I have never been so convinced that networking is such a valuable tool in business. Did you know that 95% of the Fortune 500 top business men, said that networking was their top business tool? If it's good enough for them, then surely we need to be spending more time on it. And where better then at all of NEO's fantastic events. *Skillnets Briefing Sessions*
This SOS of Networking was valueable. I can't believe how much I took away from it, that I can use every day. And I network for a living. More and more people are realising the value of networking, but don't realise how important it is to prepare for it and to put time into it. |
Tricia taught us the art of shaking hands. I refused to let hers be seen over mine, so this seemed like the best solution. :) |
It's no longer good enough just to attend an event, we need a plan and a goal to help us achieve results. Just remember, you never know who you're talking to, or who they might know, so keep an open mind! |
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Click here to read all about the Llobet guitar duo.... |
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neo ireland : c/o Eventznet, NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, Belfield, Dublin 4
t: 01 716 3631 :: w: www.neoireland.com :: e: info_at_neoireland.com
NEO Ireland is a trading name of Eventznet Ltd, a private limited company,
registered in Ireland under company number 359159I.
Registered office address: 27 Ardagh Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland. |
