Welcome to this Edition of our Update from the Carlow County Council - Local Enterprise Office.
 
This edition features:

------------------------------------------------------------
 

• Bold New Frontiers – Women in Business Event – 27th May 2015
• Export Awareness Event – 12^th May 2015
• Creating Content for Online PR – 19^th May 2015
• Retail Forum - 20th May 2015
• Making the Media Work for You – 16th June 2015 – Mediatraining.ie
• Blas Na hEireann Awards 2015
• Innovation Vouchers
• Financial Assistance Application Date
• Save the Date – 5^th June 2015 – Faultlines – SME Innovation Event
   

The above is just a sample and a full schedule is available on www.localenterprise.ie/carlow
 
Bold New Frontiers – Women in Business Event – 27^th May 2015
Have you ever asked yourself the following question 'What will my business look like in 2020?' We all know that change is constant in the business world but in recent years, the technological advancements have hit us all with incredible speed and intensity. The technologies shaping how we do business today are very different from the technologies that shaped our world five years ago. So what can we do about it? How can we keep up with the speed of change and keep ahead of the curve?
Join us on the 27th May 2015 in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow and tune in to what Conall O' Morain has to say about being prepared. As the Presenter of the Today FM Sunday Business Show Conall has talked to many businesses owners and has his finger on the pulse when it comes to emerging trends.
 
Further Information click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1377465745917233/
For booking e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie 
 
Export Awareness Event – 12^th May 2015
There is an Export Awareness Event on May 12th in The Heritage, Killenard.   Full  details are available here:  http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/events/ourevents/export-workshops/export-awareness-laois.html
 
Retail Forum 2015
A Retail Forum is being organized on 20th May 2015 at 6.15pm to discuss a variety of issues with Retailing in Carlow.  
If you are interested in attending or want to find out more e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie 
 
19th May 2015 – Creating Content for Online PR – 1 Day Course - €25.00
Do you struggle with creating online content to gain to the most for your business ? If so this course with PR specialists Engage Ireland is designed for you and your business. This 1 day workshop will focus on the key skills to develop your own online PR materials.
 
20th May 2015 – The Productivity Lunch in association with Carlow County Library Services – FOC
Starting at 12.30pm sharp the productivity lunch is a 90 minute workshop designed to increase productivity with you and your team to help create new opportunities for your business. Our guest speaker for the event is Ciara Conlon author of Chaos to Control. This event is brought to you by the team in the Local Enterprise Offices , Carlow County Library Service & Carlow/Kilkenny Skillnet
 
28th May 2015 – Competency Based Interviewing & Recruiting within the Law – Limited Places available
This one day course is designed to give employers a chance to develop or review their skills in respect of interviewing individuals for potential positions within their company. The course will also look at how  to make the most of and manage the recruitment process effectively. Places are limited to just 10 people to book e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie  . This course costs €25.00
 
16th June 2015 – Making the Media Work for You – 1/2 Day Workshop – Limited Places available.
Start at 9.30am on 16^th June 2015 we have a 1/2 day course designed to help companies get the most from working with the Media. This course is delivered by Orlaith Carmody from Media Training.ie. Due to the expected high level of demand places can only be reserved with full payment and to obtain a booking form e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie  in respect of same.
 
Local Enterprise Office – Partners with Blas Na hEireann – Irish Food Awards
The Local Enterprise Office are partnering with Blas Na hEireann to bring Food Companies the opportunity to participate in the Irish Food Awards. Entries are open until 17^th June 2015 with the awards taking place in October in Dingle. For full details check out their website on www.irishfoodawards.com (http://www.irishfoodawards.com/)
 
Grant Application Dates
Our Grant Application Dates are now available on our Website. The next closing date is 13th May 2015
 
Web Vouchers - 2500 Euros available for Web Trade Development
Over €50,000 has been awarded to local Carlow companies who are developing their online trade.  All companies with less than 10 employees could avail of a Web Voucher for up to 2500 Euros. Every Friday is closing date until further notice. For further information e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie or call 059-9129783

Innovation Vouchers
The next round of applications for Innovation Vouchers is open with a closing date of Wednesday 20th May, 2015 at 3pm
All dates for can be viewed at our website www.innovationvouchers.ie (http://www.innovationvouchers.ie/) .

Horizon 2020
Horizon 2020, FP7’s successor is fully up and running (as of December 2013). It offers Irish companies valuable opportunities to participate in high quality collaborative research projects with other companies and research institutions across Europe. For more information, go to www.horizon2020.ie (http://www.horizon2020.ie/)
 
Enterprise House - Incubation & Development Centre
Are you developing your business in 2015 and looking for a new location? Due to the expansion of a number of companies we will shortly have space available in Enterprise House. Enterprise House is a unique location in County Carlow for your business to grow and development. Competitive Rental & Service Rates available. Training Centre's on-site. For further information e-mail kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie or call 059-9130880
 
Micro Finance
Do you have plans for 2015 and your financial institution can't assist with credit. Your business  or business idea could avail of loan funding of up to €25000 euros from Micro Finance via the Local Enterprise Office. To arrange a business appointment e-mail kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie or call 059-9129783
 
Save the Date – Faultlines – 5^th June 2015
Next week we will be providing information on an SME Innovation Event open to all business people called Faultlines in association with IT Carlow  & Irish Year of Design. The event will run from 8am onwards and not to be missed.