Dates for National Business Expo announced

The National Business Expo, partnered by Grant Thornton and Bank of Ireland, will take place on Friday 8 March and Saturday 9 March 2013 in the RDS.

Last year some 2,200 Irish people started their own business each month and this Expo is designed to support Irish entrepreneurs in accelerating their companies.

It will feature practical advice with a strong emphasis on start-ups, small-to-medium business and those looking to export, and will have four main business centres – one focused on finance; professional advice; business support and business services.

Speaking in relation to the event, Miriam O’Connor, National Business Expo, said: “As a start-up ourselves we have experienced first-hand the challenges new businesses face in terms of funding, advice and getting face time with the right people. We understand the practical difficulties that Irish businesses need to overcome and have used this experience to develop the Expo as a practical, solution based event for visitors.”

According to Pat Burke, Dynamic Businesses Unit, Grant Thornton: “This Expo has been designed to help businesses in a practical way – it’s not about talk, it’s about doing.  We will be on hand to give one-to-one strategic advice, helping both start-ups and businesses to maximize potential either in Ireland or overseas markets.  People invest in people. Understanding the way of the business world and how to best navigate it will give any businesses an added advantage especially when looking to overseas markets.  At the Expo entrepreneurs can avail of a wealth of expertise, gain market share and learn how to overcome the key challenges.”

Bank of Ireland will also be there to provide support and guidance to attendees on the borrowing process and there will also be plenty of advice for Irish companies looking to foreign markets. The Expo will help companies examine their approach to foreign markets through best advice on overseas marketing, brand localisation, overseas tendering and grant information.

There will also be workshops on offer, which will showcase a suite of online business products and services demonstrating how best to get a business online, search engine marketing, display advertising, Google’s display network, YouTube and taking advantage of website traffic, as well as plenty of advice on finance and funding.