MeetWest - Where businesses network and do business

Returning for its 6th year MeetWest, a 2-day business networking forum, brings together a wide range of companies from the West of Ireland and further afield to network and do business. This year’s event will be hosted by Mayo County Council at the Mc William Park Hotel Claremorris on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th of November 2016, with renowned  global economist, journalist, lecturer, broadcaster and documentary maker David McWilliams lined up as guest speaker.

Finding opportunities to grow

Thursday 24th November will comprise of an afternoon conference entitled “Finding Opportunities to Grow”. Speakers will include Niall O’ Donnellan, Enterprise Ireland; Jo Collins,  Managing Director of SalesPerformance.ie; and Fergal O’Connor, CEO & Founder at Happy Marketing & Media with Noel Davidson of The Entrepreneurs Academy acting as Master of Ceremonies. This conference will be followed by a networking dinner with guest speaker, David McWilliams.

One-to-one Business Networking Meetings

Friday 25th November will feature one-to-one business networking meetings that allow participating delegates avail of a number of pre-arranged meetings on the day. In addition, returning by popular demand, there will be a number of 10 to 1 meetings where delegates can meet selected larger businesses in a group format.

According to Sheila Byrnes, who has co-ordinated the event for the past six years “MeetWest continues to be one of the largest business networking events in the West of Ireland and the only structured networking event of its kind. Past attendees benefit from attending MeetWest as it represents great value for time and money spent. Companies register to attend online and complete their company profile which is then visible to all attendees, affording them the opportunity to select who they would like to meet. The conference and networking dinner also present a number of other casual networking opportunities. We expect to see similar numbers of businesses attending MeetWest 2016 as in previous years, and we are confident that they will find plenty of opportunities to connect with people, create new opportunities and promote their businesses in the West of Ireland and further afield”.

Peter Hynes, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council stated “This is one of the most important practical local examples of collaboration of Local Authorities with development agencies and business, to promote in a hands-on way, economic development in our region”.

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Al Mc Donnell highlighted the importance of networking and communication to enable businesses to grow and thrive in today’s economic climate.

MeetWest is a partner approach initiative that includes Mayo County Council, Galway County Council, Galway City Council, Roscommon County Council, Mayo Local Enterprise Office, Galway Local Enterprise Office, Roscommon Local Enterprise Office, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Western Development Commission, SCCUL Enterprises and supported by Enterprise Ireland and IDA.

Registration is now open at www.meetwest.ie. It is anticipated that up to 400 delegates will attend the event making it an essential addition to every business diary.

Pictured above:  L to R:  Mr Peter Hynes (Chief Executive of Mayo County Council), Cllr Al McDonnell (Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council), Ms Joanne Grehan (Director of Services Head of Local Enterprise Office/Enterprise and Investment Unit), Mr John Magee (Head of Mayo Enterprise (Acting)