With plans for NDCCs Annual Business Expo 2014 well under way, we thought that we would share this article that was written about last years Expo which took place in the Helix in DCU. If you are unsure about what to expect or whether the Expo represents a good opportunity for your business, maybe this will help you make up your mind.

There are still some stands available. You can book a stand by calling or emailing Orla Dawson: 01 700 8861 /ndcc@dcu.ie. 

North Dublin Chamber hosted its third annual Enterprise Expo at The Helix, Dublin on 7th November 2013. Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr Richard Bruton officially launched the event. Praising the work of North Dublin Chamber in hosting an event that showcases local SME and start-up businesses, Minister Bruton congratulated the companies exhibiting for their courage and bravery in launching new businesses despite the economic downturn. He encouraged north Dublin businesses to continue to be brave saying they are the face of Ireland’s recovery.

President of NDCC, Mark Kellett welcomed the Minister’s comments; “North Dublin Chamber strives to support businesses operating in north Dublin, who are bucking the economic trend and showing real growth, albeit slowly. We have received tremendous feedback from exhibitors on the quality of this year’s event but also on the absolute need for opportunities in Dublin for companies to network and showcase their products. Many of the businesses today reported important business leads that they had created through the event, “ said Mark Kellett, CEO Magnet.

A challenge for many SMEs is gaining access to the public sector procurement process. To assist SME companies to better understand the public procurement process, North Dublin Chamber introduced one-to-one sessions at the Expo where SMEs could meet with a procurement expert from DAA, DIT, DCU and Dublin City Council. This proved invaluable to exhibitors who gained knowledge of the process but also had an opportunity to showcase their product to large enterprise. “As a new business, what we wanted from the EXPO was simple – to build our sales pipeline. The procurement officers from two organisations have asked us to follow up with them. We also secured three other business leads at the event.  Taking a stand at the Expo was the best €150 we have ever invested!” John P. Murphy, The Scan Bureau

In keeping with NDCC’s strong partnership with DCU, it was decided to host the event at The Helix this year. The location proved popular with exhibitors, who praised the location and the layout of the event as an advantage for networking: “It is definitely better each year, and I think The Helix space is much more open to networking and mingling. We achieved three business appointments from the event,” Daragh Sandford, Sandford Freight Ltd.

NDCC Business Expo 2014

The North Dublin Chamber will hold its 4^th Annual North Dublin Enterprise Expo on Wednesday 5^th, November 2014 in the Crowne Plaza Dublin Northwood, Santry Demesne, Dublin 9.  

The Enterprise Expo is an annual event aimed at small to medium sized business in the North Dublin area. The aim of the event is to provide a platform for all SMEs to profile and showcase their products and services to other like-minded businesses.  Each year, it has successfully allowed businesses the opportunity to network and build business relationships and contacts as well as sharing knowledge and expertise.

A hugely successful component of our Expo has been a series of ‘Meet the Buyer’ workshops.  Last year, we were inundated with SMEs who were eager to have the opportunity to talk to procurement officers about possible opportunities and to receive feedback on their products.  We received commitment from Dublin Airport Authority, Dublin City University, Dublin Institute of Technology and Dublin City Council and once again they have agreed to participate this year and we have invited a number of other large corporations to take part. The primary function of this exercise is not for SMEs to sell to major procurers but instead to provide SMEs with the best advice on how to approach the procurement process.

In a similar format to last year, we are proposing two slots from 11.00am to 1.00pm and 2.30pm to 4.30pm, where the procurement representatives will be available to meet with SMEs.  We will have an appointment mechanism of 10 minute slots in place to ensure that this runs smoothly on the day.

There are still some stands available. You can book a stand by calling or emailing Orla Dawson: 01 700 8861 /ndcc@dcu.ie.