• CONFERENCE

  Irish and Newfoundlanders to re-ignite the regional business proposition at
  WIT economic conference on September 21st 2010

  
  September 21st will see WIT host an Economic Development Conference in conjunction with the Ireland Newfoundland Festival. The conference will draw on the historic connections between the South East region
  and Newfoundland and will have a strong emphasis on regional business opportunities and trade. As such,
  the conference will have a very practical and commercial orientation that will be informed by economic policy
  and research. Guest speakers include business practitioners, policy commentators, researchers, and regional executives drawing from Ireland and Newfoundland.
  Dr Edgar Morgenroth, of the Economic and Social Research Institute, will frame the economic,
  demographic and natural advantage issues associated with the region as a platform for promoting
  indigenous enterprise. Several business practitioners will present cases of successful Irish and
  Newfoundland market initiatives that will provoke ideas and discussion. Facilitated parallel workshops will
  explore potential market initiatives and the supports, resources and potential barriers that influence such endeavours. Following a Newfoundland/Canadian view on regional and community development from
  Mr. Patrick Curran, Executive Director of the Irish Loop Development Board, Wexford County Manager
  Mr. Eddie Breen will provide a perspective from within the South East region. In conclusion, a panel of guest speakers chaired by Mr. John Maher (WIT, School of Business) will synthesise reflections from the day’s events and present key action outcomes from the conference.
  
  Benefits to participants include:

  • A template for developing a business initiative.

  • A schedule of websites, reports and contacts.

  • A community of practice platform for the communities and agencies involved in the South East region that will drive future business activities in the South East of Ireland and Newfoundland.

  Conference registration and/or further information
  Registration cost (including delegate pack and lunch) is €50. If you would like a booking form and/ or further information please contact Leana Reinl by telephone on 051-845645 or email at LREINL@WIT.IE
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  A close relationship has existed between Ireland and Newfoundland since the mid 1700’s. The Ireland Newfoundland Partnership, housed within the Department of the Taoiseach, manages an agreement
  between the Governments of Ireland and Newfoundland to recognise the deep historical links between the
  two regions and to explore the possibilities of mutually advantageous co-operation through business,
  industry, educational and cultural activities.
  The Ireland Newfoundland Festival, which will take place in Southeast Ireland, is an annual festival that
  alternates yearly between Newfoundland and Ireland. This festival is a unique opportunity to explore
  ‘the most Irish place in the world outside of Ireland’. For further information visit www.irelandnewfoundland.com or download the Festival Flyer

Economic Conference Tuesday 21st September 2010

 

Re-igniting the Regional Business Proposition:
from Ideas to Actions

 

Conference Outline

Time	Item	Speaker/ Facilitator
8.30-8.50	Registration
8.50-9.00	Opening	President Kieran Byrne, Waterford Institute of Technology Senior Trade Commissioner, Canadian Embassy, Ms. Suzanne Cormie
9.00-9.30	Framing the economic profile	Dr Edgar Morgenroth, Economic Social Research Institute
9.40- 11.00	Market initiative cases from Newfoundland and Ireland	Ireland – Mr. Gerard Kirwan: Goatsbridge Trout Farm, Co. Kilkenny Mr. Con Trass:             The Apple Farm,             Co Tipperary Newfoundland– Councillor Debbie Hanlon Dr. Wayne King, Associate Professor, Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Memorial University of Newfoundland
11.00- 12 .00	Parallel workshops (3): 3 sets of group challenge questions	Facilitators Dr. Senan Cooke Dr. Felicity Kelliher AN Other (TBC)
12.00-1.00	Plenary session: Feedback from groups plus discussion	Chair: Dr Bill O’Gorman,   Delegates Comments & observations from the floor. Facilitators (as above)
1.00- 2.00	Lunch	Gallery restaurant, WIT
2.00-2.30	NL/Canadian Policy on regional & community development	Mr. Patrick Curran: Executive Director, Irish Loop Development Board
2.30-3.00	A view from within the region	Mr. Eddie Breen. Wexford County Manager
3.00- 3.30	Synthesis & Observations from the attendees.       Question time	Panel discussion: Chair: Mr. John Maher Panel Dr. Edgar Morgenroth Dr. Wayne King Mr. Gerard Kirwan Mr. Con Trass Councillor Debbie Hanlon
3.30	Conclusion	Mr. John Maher
3:40	Conference close	Dr. Tom O’Toole