Pictured L-R: Marie Armstrong, Partner, KPMG; Simon McKeever, Chief Executive, Irish Exporters Association; Shannon O’Dowd, Etihad Airways; Conor Haugh, Associate Director, New Business, Bank of Ireland; David Sadlier, Customer Solutions & Innovation Director, Kuehne + Nagel Ireland Ltd at Powerscourt Hotel.
-Export Industry Award Partners gather Alumni to educate on key business pillars for company export growth and development-
Dublin, 16 October 2016 – The Irish Exporters Association (IEA), in association with platinum sponsors Bank of Ireland, Etihad Airways, KPMG, Kuehne + Nagel and UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School have collaborated to offer strategic export development advice to Export Industry Awards Alumni. In just 40 days, the 2016 Export Industry Award Winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on the 25th November in the Convention Centre Dublin.
Designed in conjunction with KPMG and UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, the new Export Industry Awards Alumni Programme is open to past category winners and former shortlisted Export Industry Award winners. Two half day workshops took place in September and October for C-level Executives and the final event in the series will be a UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School Masterclass which will take place on the 25th October. The topics covered across the Alumni workshops include: Organisational Transformation & Renewal; Strategic Development & Execution; Innovation & Growth; Market Diversification – Managing Your Financial Risks; Strategic Finance; Change Management; and Expanding to New Markets.
Simon McKeever, Chief Executive, Irish Exporters Association commented: “The Export Industry Awards have been recognising the tremendous achievements of companies working in the industry for 16 years. Given the current uncertainties that face Irish exporters with our biggest trading partner voting to leave the European Union and the serious volatility that has resulted in the price of Sterling, it is more important than ever to acknowledge the vital importance of the export industry to the Irish economy and recognise the organisations that support the sector. We are delighted to work with a select group of organisations to launch, grow and develop an Alumni programme that will support the Awards this year and going forward. Together with Bank of Ireland, Etihad Airways, KPMG, Kuehne + Nagel and UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School our aim is to facilitate and grow a community for Export Industry Award winners, our leaders in the industry, to not only learn from each other and experts in the industry, but to tackle barriers head on and to prepare the necessary plans to successfully grow and develop their businesses overseas and scale up and down as they manage their business.”
Pierce Butler, Head of Sectors, Business Banking, Bank of Ireland commented: “We are delighted to support the Irish Exporters Association on this important initiative. As the largest lender into the Irish economy, we are focused on building relationships with our business customers and adding real value. This involves understanding their needs and providing a full range of solutions to boost their export growth and development, leveraging our global contacts and experience. These supports include sectoral expertise, treasury solutions, trade finance advice, market intelligence and funding. We are pleased to provide this expertise and knowledge to the Export Industry Awards Alumni so that they can secure new business and development opportunities overseas.”
Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Dean, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School said: “At UCD Smurfit School our mission is to re-imagine business better together. As an open, export economy, exporting has been at the heart of our recovery and will continue to provide vital growth opportunities for Irish businesses looking to expand. Through UCD Smurfit Executive Development activity and our UCD Business Alumni worldwide network, we are supporting the successful international expansion of numerous Irish companies by providing them and their executives with knowledge and networking opportunities. We look forward to continuing to support Irish exporters in the years ahead.”
Shaun Murphy, Managing Partner, KPMG commented: “Encouraging export growth is essential to economic development across the island. Exporting builds economies of scale, drives innovation and supports employment growth and these awards will highlight best practice and promote role models for other businesses.”
Beatrice Cosgrove, General Manager for Ireland, Etihad Airways commented: “Etihad Airways is delighted to partner with the Irish Exporters Association, underpinning our support for Irish businesses through our expanding international route network and aircraft fleet.”
Pamela Quinn, Managing Director, Kuehne + Nagel Ireland Ltd stated: “With the right Focus + Excellence, Ireland can continue to generate momentum for its export market, driven by people who understand quality, innovation and delivering on their customers’ expectations. These awards celebrate those companies and the people that drive them forward”
ENDS/
For media queries contact:
Vicki Caplin, Head of Marketing, Irish Exporters Association
T: 087 6461291
E: vickicaplin@irishexporters.ie
About the Export Industry Awards
The Irish Exporters Association’s Export Industry Awards in its 16th year is the premier event for recognising the achievements of Irish Exporters. The event is supported by a number of corporate and industry sponsors: Bank of Ireland, Etihad Airways, KPMG, Kuehne + Nagel and UCD Smurfit School of Business, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, Irish Rail and the Irish Maritime Development Office. It is important that we highlight the exporting companies who have excelled in their sector despite some difficult trading conditions and to highlight exporters who have been fundamental to Ireland’s success. Over 500 export industry professionals will attend this black tie event. The award categories cover the emerging exporters to established indigenous exporters of manufactured goods, services, software and onward to the multinational companies.
About the Irish Exporters Association
The Irish Exporters Association (IEA) assists its members to grow their exports to world markets. We drive and support the growth and development of all exporting businesses based in Ireland by:
Representation – leading the export agenda as the voice of Irish exporters
Member Development – enhancing the export knowledge and skillset of members through a range of training services and export development programmes
Networking & Connectivity – connecting our members with government and business stakeholders domestically and in market
Export Services – enabling our members with practical assistance and critical support services
The IEA represent the whole spectrum of companies within the export industry including SME’s who are beginning to think about exporting for the first time right through to global multinational companies who are already extensively exporting from Ireland. It is the connecting force for Irish exporters, providing practical knowledge and support across the Island of Ireland and in foreign markets.
The post 40 day countdown to Export Industry Awards appeared first on Irish Exporters Association.