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Keynote Speaker 1

Richard Ramsey, Chief Economist, Northern Ireland at Ulster Bank

Northern Ireland Economy - Where are we and where are we going?

Global trade and economic growth has been slowing in 2019. The US economy has experienced its longest recovery on record. But how long can it last? Central banks such as the Federal Reserve have recently cut interest rates again. US-China trade wars have darkened the outlook. The Eurozone has also seen growth slow.

In the UK and Northern Ireland the economic picture is characterised by weak economic growth and strong labour markets. Skills shortages are evident across the local economy. Some sectors and businesses are faring better than others. The lack of a Stormont Executive and uncertainty regarding Brexit are two key challenges facing businesses.

Keynote Speaker 2

Simon Haigh, International Leadership & Business Growth Strategist

Maximising your chances of success in closing the deal – A way to win business

Simon Haigh, International Leadership & Business Growth Strategist will highlight techinques to maximise business opportunities through negotiation excellence and optimise business growth through an enhanced culture of effective deal closing.

Workshop Session 1:

Workshop A:

Growing Sales – Delivering Growth For Retailers & Small Businesses

What Retailers Need To Get Found Online

Emma Gribben, Digital By Emma

Whether your retail business is starting off, in the process of building a digital presence or optimising your online channels this presentation will identify many opportunities to give you a competitive edge to get ahead.

The Changing High Street – From Convenience To Experience

Eamonn Connolly, BID Manager of Newry BID

Learn how the way we now shop on the High Street has transformed from the simple act of buying products into an activity driven by experiences and interactive technology in order to stay relevant and interesting for consumers.

Workshop B:

Funding & Support For Small Businesses

Support For Small Businesses

David McComb, Director of Full Circle

Many small businesses struggle to identify and make best use of the support opportunities that are available. This workshop will identify, describe and present the benefits of the available support from a range of organisations including Invest NI, InterTradeIreland, Government Departments, Local Authorities and Education.

Alternative Finance Solutions For SMEs

Conor Devine, Founding Member of GDP Partnership

In 2015, Conor Devine MRICS set up Clearpath Finance with one objective in mind. To bring new investors and new money to Northern Ireland to help business owners grow their business. In the last four years, Clearpath has delivered over £150m of new money into the NI economy and now has over 50 different lenders on their panel providing funding solutions to businesses right across the island of Ireland and mainland UK.

Workshop C:

Managing The HR & Legal Challenges For Small Businesses

Tax & Legal Protection Provided By FSB NI

Graeme Weir, Membership Advisor at FSB NI

Graeme will provide information on the tax and legal protection that the Federation of Small Business NI provide for members.

HR Challenges Faced By Small Businesses

Kevin McDonald, Human Resource Consultant at HMD HR Solutions

Kevin will deliver an expert perspective on the HR challenges faced by small businesses.

Workshop Session 2:

Workshop D:

Driving Business Growth

Driving Business Growth Through The Marshall Goldsmith Leadership Coaching Methodology

Simon Haigh, International Leadership & Business Growth Strategist

Simon Haigh, International Leadership & Business Growth Strategist will outline how to use World No. 1 Leadership Thinker, Marshall Goldsmith’s Coaching Methodology. The session is aimed at companies who want to invest in existing leadership to deliver best in world leadership.

Workshop E:

Doing Business Outside Northern Ireland

If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat

Alan Lowry, CEO of Environmental Street Furniture

An exposition of the journey Environmental Street Furniture has taken over the last 7 years from humble beginnings in Newtownabbey, to supplying contracts to the largest theme parks and entertainment centres to the world.

Workshop F:

Digital For Small Businesses – Driving Revenue Growth

Think Growth. Think Digital.

Maeve Finnegan, Managing Director of MiTSO Marketing

As the digital landscape evolves, customer behaviours and expectations change continually. Learn how to create a digital strategy which will enable you to respond to the changing needs of your customers and drive growth for your business.

The Story of Babocush

Niamh Taylor, Managing Director of Digital Twenty Four

Niamh will talk about how clever digital marketing strategies helped a NI start up to grow to over £2m turnover in 1.5 years. Learn how their customer contact strategy, organic social media, content marketing, social media advertising, google ads and making videos viral delivered outstanding growth for Babocush.

Please Note:

• Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis so early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
  
• One you have registered, shortly after you will receive an email containing information on the various workshops available.