International Businesswomen Gathered In Tralee
23rd August 2016
Yesterday saw the Enterprise Ireland International Business Women’s Conference opening its doors in the Brandon Hotel in Tralee to celebrate successful women in business.
Now in its second year, in conjunction with the Rose of Tralee International Festival, delegates heard from leaders working across the business and entrepreneurial spectrum focussing on this year’s theme “The Changing Face of Success”.
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.
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.
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’.
Opening the event, Frances Fitzgerald, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality said: “I am delighted to open the International Business Women’s Conference, a hugely important event which brings together and showcases the achievements of some of Ireland’s most successful female business leaders. It is heartening to see the growth and diversity demonstrated in the various businesses represented by many of the speakers and panellists contributing here today and it is evident that change is afoot across the SME ecosystem where talented and inspirational women are coming to the fore, heading up and leading thriving businesses. It is of vital importance that this country continues to support women in their business pursuits, paving the way for opportunities to facilitate continuous growth and expansion.”
