It was announced today that the Enterprise Ireland International Business Women’s Conference has opened its doors in the Brandon Hotel in Tralee to celebrate successful women in business.
The conference addressed the under-representation of women in business and the importance of female role models in encouraging more women to consider and enter into entrepreneurship.
A highlight of the day was the discussion on the untapped potential of women with panel experts including Eleanor McEvoy from Dragons’ Den and CEO of Budget Energy and Enterprise Ireland CEO, Julie Sinnamon, providing information on their own insights and experiences.
The conference also focused on social entrepreneurship, including the keynote speaker and social activist, Madi Sharma who spoke on the challenges faced by many women and her own journey from ‘victim to changemaker’
A line-up of 29 expert speakers took part in the daylong event, kicking off with a focus on how advances in social and digital media are driving business for entrepreneurs forward. Successful female business leaders, setting their mark in the digital space including Iseult Ward, CEO and co-founder of FoodCloud and Pamela Newenham, Co-Founder of Girl Crew discussed their own digital business models and the opportunity that digital disruption creates to bring about new business and customer engagement.
Sponsored by AIB, the Department of the Taoiseach and the Local Diaspora Engagement Fund and media partner, Tatler, conference delegates also heard from the Rose of Tralee, Elysha Brennan, as well as previous Roses including Dr. Clare Kambamettu, Dr. Arlene O’Neill and 2005 Rose of Tralee, Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin.
Speaking at the conference, Enterprise Ireland CEO, Julie Sinnamon said, "Over the last number of years we have seen a threefold increase in the number of female-led high potential start-ups supported by Enterprise Ireland, from 7% in 2011 to a record 22% in 2015. Today’s event is part of our commitment to support women to embrace entrepreneurial opportunities and realise their full potential."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
