We would like to encourage all our members to actively use the IIBN LinkedIn group as a way to introduce yourselves to other IIBN members and to engage in real networking – whether virtual or face to face.

Notice of events will be circulated early in the New Year and be sure to check online for other chapter events at www.iibn.com

Happy Christmas and wishing you all a very successful 2012

Le gach dea ghui agus La Shona Nollaig dhuit

IIBN

The Irish International Business Network (IIBN), Dublin, would like to extend our thanks to all of our 2011 event attendees, members, sponsors & keynote speakers.

Please join IIBN Dublin members to wrap up the year for Christmas Drinks on Monday December 12^th in the Mint Bar, Westin Hotel, Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2 from 7pm.  This is an informal get together and all are welcome.

We would like to take this opportunity to quickly reflect on what has been an exciting and eventful year for IIBN Dublin.

- 2011 has seen IIBN Irish membership more than double in size and has encouraged closer ties for IIBN globally.

- With four fantastic events in Dublin culminating with the resounding success of the inaugural IIBN Global Conference in the Irish Times Building and the Aviva Stadium on 10^th and 11^th November.

- The conference was preceded by 3 keynote speaker events which including Declan Ryan, CEO, Irelandia Investments where he guided attendees through its business to date, highlighting its strong hold in South America and the Far East; renowned entrepreneur Oliver Hughes founder of the Porter House Group which spans the globe including London, New York and Dublin and Mike Hemingway presented the award winning Dove campaign.

We would like to thank our sponsors Beauchamps Solicitors and Hays Recruitment for their support and also PwC who have kindly hosted a number of IIBN events in Dublin.

Wishing you every success and a Happy New Year and we look forward to hopefully seeing you on 12^th December.

Pat Brazel (Dublin Chair) and the Dublin Board

With over 180 participants from Ireland, UK and New York in Dublin on November 10th and 11th the feedback to the conference so far has been outstanding. The general feeling is that the pace, the buzz and the content were striking with quality speakers, and genuine opportunities to network and build business. 71% of survey respondents were very satisfied with the whole experience and 98% very satisfied to satisfied. (Survey Monkey).

‘What is great about the IIBN is that it is not just another talking shop about “how to fix the economy” etc. It is a doing shop of Irish entrepreneurs and business professionals who are committed to doing business with each other across, and within, borders. Alongside that, the conference offered inspiration from business leaders and real, hands-on, practical workshops from experienced professionals on how to structure a business for growth, and it then supports that with a network to sustain that growth. To be honest is a real global network that is creating real wealth and opportunity – that’s why I was there.’

The official launch of the conference was held on Thursday 10th November which was generously hosted by The Irish Times. Paul Kerley, Founder and former CEO of Norkom Technologies was the keynote speaker and each IIBN Chair gave a brief on why they are actively involved in the IIBN network.

Proceedings continued on Friday 11th November at the Aviva Stadium where Minister Coveney set the tone with a focus on engaging the Irish diaspora in a positive and practical way. Shane Ross was motivating, and certainly got people talking! Hugo McNeill, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs Ireland, moderated the panel event which focused on fostering Irish entrepreneurs globally generating a lively discussion that carried over into lunch. The afternoon session was kicked off by Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland and key sponsor of the conference, who reminded us of the importance of Ireland as a destination. Delegates were then invited to attend one of three interactive workshops on social media, networking and preparing your business for sale. The day concluded with a fascinating presentation from Barry Maloney, Partner, Balderton Capital who focused on the importance of the entrepreneurial spirit and how Ireland punches way above its weight in enterprise and business.

With fifteen 60 second pitches between Thursday and Friday the buzz was constant as new and seasoned entrepreneurs looked for exciting opportunities to do business together globally.
Added to this were the 28 stands in the Entrepreneur Zone which brought a cross section of business interests in contact with eachother from Ireland, the UK and America.

When asked if participants would like to attend a similar event in 2012 the response so far has been 100% Yes – so watch this space for an announcement for the date and location of the IIBN Global Conference 2012!

Here are a few of the comments from participants:

‘A genuine sense of shared purpose and willingness to forge new relationships. We knew why we were there and everyone was in a similar mood.’

‘The break out sessions and networking were great, the speakers inspiring.’

‘Quality Speakers – tightly focused and relevant presentations. Very positive/balanced outlook of presenters and attendees A capacity to look forward and build for the future without getting bogged down (like everyone else) in the financial issues. The two most enjoyable presentations from my perspective were Shane Ross and Barry Maloney.’

Photos to follow shortly.

IIBN 1st Global Annual Conference
‘DOING BUSINESS TOGETHER’
Thursday 10th & Friday 11th November, Dublin
www.iibn.com/conference. Book now at

http://iibnannualconference2011.eventbrite.com

IIBN Global Annual Conference Update

This inaugural conference, exhibition and workshop will bring Irish entrepreneurs and business professionals from all over the world to Dublin to do business together. The programme has been designed to foster a lasting network of Irish business leaders based both in Ireland and abroad providing a platform for domestic companies to grow their businesses overseas.

Overview of programme

Thursday 10th November, 2011- Sponsored by The Irish Times
When: 6.30pm – 8.30pm.
Where: The Irish Times, 24 Tara Street, Dublin 2
Keynote speaker: Joe Hogan, Founder & CTO, Openet
This Thursday night reception will set the scene for the conference on Friday while allowing time for networking with conference attendees and key business players from across Ireland, the UK and New York in a relaxed environment.

Friday 11th November, 2011 – Hosted by Aviva. Key sponsor Tourism Ireland
When: 9.00am-4.30pm.
Where: Aviva Stadium, Landsdowne Road, Dublin 4
Keynote speakers will include Simon Coveney, T.D Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine; Shane Ross, T.D and Business Editor, Sunday Independent; Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland and Barry Maloney, Partner, Balderton.

During the IIBN Global Annual Conference, you will:

• Meet successful Irish entrepreneurs from Dublin, London and New York.
• Have the opportunity to present your company to a global business network.
• Get advice on how to grow your business & expand internationally.
• Gain access to extensive network of business contacts in the UK and US.
• Get free membership to the IIBN for 6 months (New Members)

This is a unique opportunity for Irish entrepreneurs, businesses and companies to come and do business together. Book early to secure a place today.

Secure your place now at http://iibnannualconference2011.eventbrite.com

Early Bird Offer! Book now and take advantage of a limited early bird rate of €150 and secure your 60 second pitch and/or stand at the Entrepreneurs Zone (subject to availability).

To book go to http://iibnannualconference2011.eventbrite.com

www.iibn.com/conference

The event was opened by Shaun O’Shea, Managing Partner, Beauchamps Solicitors who are sponsors of IIBN in Dublin and who hosted the evenings activities in their riverfront offices.

Pat Brazel, CEO of Zignals and Co-Chair of IIBN Dublin welcomed members and introduced Oliver. Pat explained the importance of IIBN’s international reach and made reference to IIBN’s growth in recent months

Oliver was born in Dublin, Drumcondra and his parents moved frequently between Fiji, London, Nottingham, and Scunthorpe. Following in his fathers footsteps, Oliver obtained a Law degree from University of Hertfordshire and during this time he found a keen love for local ales and brewery’s. He came back to Ireland and opened Hartey’s Brewery with his cousin Liam LaHart. Oliver explained that this first venture went bust after approximately three years but in the meantime he had gone back to study law at Kings Inns. Oliver practiced as a criminal barrister from 1989 to 1999.

In 1989 Oliver opened his first pub in Bray and in 1996 he opened his second pub in Temple Bar. In 2000 he opened Porterhouse Covent Garden, London, 2003 opened Porterhouse North, and 2004 purchased Judge Roy Beans – now Porterhouse Central and Lillie’s Bordello.

In 2008 Hughes opened Port House South William Street, 2009 open Bar Pintxo, Temple Bar, 2010 open Port House Ibericos Dundrum, and 2010 Shanghai Expo for 6 months and in 2011 opened Porterhouse New York. New Projects include the Dingle whiskey Distillery. Throughout his businesses, Oliver currently employs 355 staff with a turnover of approximately €32 million.

The most recent keynote speaker event in Dublin took place on 15th March at the offices of PwC. Mike Hemingway presented the story of Dove and has spoken for IIBN in New York and London.

Mike, who launched this highly awarded campaign and lead it for five years, explained how all the different communication and marketing elements came together to create one of the most successful campaigns of the decade. He often uses this subtitle for this talk: “How Great Clients can inspire Great Work.”

Over 120 IIBN members attended the event which was opened by Jayne O’Keeffe, Co-Chair of IIBN in Dublin and Marketing Director for Arnotts.

2 three minute presentations were given by:

Siobhan Byrne Learat, Owner of Adams & Butler and Adams & Butler Africa
Ciaran McGowan, CEO, Staff Balance.

The evening was generously hosted by PwC at their One Spencer Dock offices and concluded with wine and canapes.

Click on the link to view photos:

On Thursday, 14th October, in The Burlington Hotel in Dublin, John Teeling, Founder and Chairman of African Diamonds was IIBN’s most recent keynote speaker.

Over 100 IIBN members and guests attended the evening which first heard from 3 IIBN members who presented their companies to the assembled group.

Caitlin O’Connor, Managing Director, Accelerating Performance

Jim Breen, Founder and CEO of PulseLearning, the 2007 winner of the Deloitte Fast 50 Awards and Founder of TriGrandPrix

Neil Leyden, Winner of ‘Your Country, Your Call’.

Conor Foley, Chairman of IIBN Global, went on to introduce John Teeling who generously treated each attendee to one of his miniature bottles of whisky.

John gave a remarkably 40 minute presentation which touched on his career to date and the current issues facing new businesses today. His speech was was followed by an open and lively Q&A session which could have gone on late into the evening.

John has established numerous companies, seven of which are on the London Stock Exchange. He currently chairs six – two in diamonds, two in oil, one in gold and one in zinc.

In addition to mining, John also has an active career in Irish industry holding stakes in a number of industrial ventures as well as being the founder of the only independent Irish whiskey distiller which sells in 45 countries. He lectured on business and finance in University College Dublin for 20 years and he also holds a doctorate from Harvard Business School in addition to his MBA from Wharton. John is an Ernst & Young, Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist.

Click on the photo below to review the photos taken on the night.

We are delighted to announce Powerscourt as IIBN’s newest sponsor and we look forward to introducing you to them in the coming weeks and months.

Powerscourt is a strategic communications consultancy founded by Rory Godson who was Irish Editor of The Sunday Times and then Business Editor based in London. He was head of corporate affairs at Goldman Sachs before starting Powerscourt in 2004. It helps companies and senior individuals tell their story in a manner which delivers their overall strategic goals. Based in London, it is a full-service firm which offers strategic advice and counsel, financial results and calendar communications, analyst and investor relations, Mamp;A and fund-raising communications, market intelligence, crisis management, profile-raising. It provides financial public relations and investor relations to many leading firms. The client list is a Who’s Who of major UK and Irish businesses.

For full details regarding the excellent work carried out by Powerscourt visit its website at www.powerscourt-group.com

Should you wish to connect with Powerscourt regarding your own business and/or its strategy please do email me by return email and I will connect you with a suitable member of the Powerscourt team.

Its team comprises former bankers, brokers, editors and communications professionals.

On 26th April, IIBN members in Dublin enjoyed a private evening with Jerry Kennelly at the offices of PwC, Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay. Over 100 IIBN members attended and the evening was opened by Paul Hennessy, Partner at PwC and supporter of IIBN.

Jerry is a key supporter of IIBN and has spoken for IIBN in London and New York. Jerry guided attendees through his career to date, beginning with a brief history of his first links to photo journalism and ending with an insight into his current ventures.

Jerry founded Stockbyte and Stockdisc, two companies based in Tralee that captured 10% of the global royalty-free stock photography market in ten years. In April 2006 both companies were sold to Getty Images (formerly GYI) for a consideration of $135 million. Kennelly’s companies produced the highest pro-rata profit and profitability per employee in this worldwide industry.

Kennelly, who started business as a freelance photojournalist in 1981, has been honoured by the Deloitte Fast 50 Awards and was selected as the Ernst Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005. Stockbyte is also a former winner of the DHL Exporter of the Year Award.

Kennelly has spearheaded the Young Entrepreneur Programme since the concept was first mooted in 2006 and has collaborated with the poverty relief agency GOAL and the Press Photograpers Association of Ireland in documenting their work abroad and using those creative images to spread their messages through the media, exhibitions and calendars. Jerry is now leading a multi-national team on a stealth mode business start-up due to launch a new global business in 2010.

Prior to Jerry’s presentation, 3 IIBN members were invited to give a three minute company presentation. They were:

Maoiliosa O’Culachain, Director and Co-Founder, Global Shares
Garrett O’Keeffe, Director, First100 – Performance Acceleration
Killian Stokes, Founder, My Good Points

Many thanks to Joe Tynan, Paul Hennessy and PwC for generously hosting the event.

Click on the photo link below to view more photos taken on the night:

a href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/21038411@N04/sets/72157624059393796/ class=tt-flickr tt-flickr-Square title=26th April Jerry Kennelly dublinimg class= src=http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1182/4606124577_effd43de98_s.jpg alt=26th April Jerry Kennelly dublin width=75 height=75 //a