New Enterprise Forum in Athlone
Launching on 24th February in Athlone, helping new businesses by offering support and information. All welcome.
Enterprise Forum to Promote, Encourage and Support Business Development
Are you interested in developing a business idea and want to know who to talk to? Have you recently completed a ‘start your own business course’ and are wondering what to do next? Or have you commenced trading as a new business (in the past three years) and feel that you could benefit from some support, some shared knowledge and advice, or even some social support?
With this in mind, an Enterprise Forum has recently been established in Athlone to promote and encourage the development of enterprise in the area, and support young businesses to foster their goals and ambitions. The Enterprise Forum will be launched at a public event in the Prince of Wales Hotel, Athlone, at 8pm on Thursday, 24 February, 2011.
David Jackson, Chrysalis Evolution Ltd, and Chairman of the Enterprise Forum, explains the reason for the establishment of the Enterprise Forum. ‘In 2009, Athlone Community Taskforce (ACT) and Athlone Chamber of Commerce established a club to foster enterprise development in the Athlone area. The Enterprise Forum has evolved from this initiative, under the guidance of a voluntary working committee, comprised of a strong mix of business self-starters and community representatives. The Enterprise Forum has both a philanthropic and community development focus, which aims to provide a local response to the current economic recession. The Enterprise Forum provides readily accessible, mutual support to new businesses and community enterprises in Athlone and its environs.’
In welcoming the Enterprise Forum, Michael Fuery, CEO of Athlone Community Taskforce, said ‘Creating local enterprise and employment is vital in the current negative economic and high unemployment environment. Prospective entrepreneurs need encouragement and support to take that all important first step to start and develop their own business with confidence. Athlone Community Taskforce would encourage these entrepreneurs to get involved with the Enterprise Forum and avail of the encouragement and support that it offers.’
This Enterprise Forum is a focused group working together to assist and encourage each other to start-up, grow and develop prospective businesses. Operational committee membership is currently comprised of representatives from young (start-up) businesses in the region, and representatives from a number of local support agencies.
According to Siobhan Bigley, CEO, Athlone Chamber of Commerce, ‘Athlone Chamber are delighted to be actively part of this initiative, which is a positive optimistic story for Athlone. There are many individuals in Athlone and the wider region thinking of starting, or having started, their own business and we would encourage those people to come to the launch and to join this network. Starting a business can be isolating and lonely and it is important to have a network of others in the same position to support you, and the Enterprise Forum will help fulfil this essential supportive role. We would encourage people to come along and see what it is all about.’
The Forum is intended for those who are interested in developing and fostering a new business idea, and determined to further their business ambitions. It is the only network for start-up businesses in the area. It aims to provide a forum where business ideas and experiences can be shared; be an open forum that is inclusive and welcoming; provide the forum with access to business support groups and networks; establish a structured business support group/referral network; provide access to new business skills and management techniques; and to encourage involvement in promotional, exhibition and networking/social events.
The Enterprise Forum will host a launch meeting in the Prince of Wales Hotel, Athlone, at 8pm on Thursday, 24 February, 2011. All are welcome to attend.
For more information on the Enterprise Forum and/or the launch event please contact: David Jackson (Chairman) at 087 6781978 or Richard Nash (Secretary) at 086 263 6704 / email: info@enterpriseforum.ie / web: www.enterpriseforum.ie
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For more information contact:
Enterprise Forum, c/o ACT Building, Ball Alley Lane, Athlone, Co Westmeath
David Jackson (Chairman): 087 6781978 Richard Nash (Secretary): 086 263 6704
Email: info@enterpriseforum.ie Web: www.enterpriseforum.ie