Second annual Global Cork Economic Forum to focus on Tourism and Economic Development for the Cork region

10th September 2014

Wednesday 1st October 2014, City Hall, Cork

Details of the second annual Global Cork Economic Forum, which takes place on Wednesday, 1st October in City Hall, Cork, have been announced by the newly appointed Cork City Council Chief Executive, Ann Doherty, and Tim Lucey, Cork County Council Chief Executive.

Following the interest in, impact and success of the inaugural Global Cork Economic Forum which took place in October 2013, both Cork County and City Councils, who promoted the event, decided to host this again this year. Both Chief Executives recognise the importance to the region of such an event and its focus on Cork, and have jointly decided to maximise the potential of this focus for the benefit of the Cork economy. The main areas of discussion at this year’s plenary business forum are tourism and economic development for the Cork region.

John Mullins will once again chair the Forum which will see speakers from across the international tourism industry come together with business leaders from Cork business diaspora to participate in this ground breaking, invitation only event. Participants will join in meaningful discussions and gain a greater understanding of tourism and economic development opportunities specific to Cork county and city.

Speaking about the Forum, Tim Lucey, Cork County Council Chief Executive said “The Global Cork Economic Forum gives us the chance to gather ideas for a path to renewed economic prosperity for our region, with a specific focus on tourism this year. Last year’s Forum was marked with considerable enthusiasm among the most influential members of the global Cork business community who were in attendance, with a strong willingness to support and assist in building a successful and continued future for Cork.”

In response to the 2013 Global Cork Economic Forum, this year’s Forum will first examine economic development in Cork in 2014 in terms of Agrifood, Energy, ICT, and Tourism. The strategic messaging and branding of Cork will be addressed, as will the Cork INC proposition as a co-ordinating body to drive the marketing of the Cork Region abroad, with presentations from Sandra Matthews Marsh, The Kent Experience; Nick Hall, The Think Tank; Malcom Allan, Branding and Marketing Cork; and the Chief Executives of Cork City Council and Cork County Council.

Malcolm Allan, destination branding specialist with Place Matters, who has been a consultant on the Cork Strategic Messaging project stated “Cork excites me, economically it has a lot to offer but most importantly it is a great place to live due to the special quality of life on offer here. This is a huge factor when it comes to attracting talent, which is the biggest challenge facing businesses today when choosing a location.”

Key Cork business leaders Anne O’Leary, CEO, Vodafone Ireland; Leslie Buckley, Chairman, INM; Sean O’Driscoll, Chairman, Glen Dimplex plc.; Tony Keohane, Chairman, Tesco Ireland; and Eoin O’Driscoll, Forfás will lead a panel discussion ahead of four specific seminars focussing on Tourism, Food, Entrepreneurship, and Branding. Attendees will each participate in one of the afternoon seminars, with the outcomes of each used to devise a detailed objective policy plan to be implemented following the Forum.

Ann Doherty, Cork City Council Chief Executive added “The diversity of views expressed over the course of the Forum will reflect the great range of experience evident among the participants, as well as the vibrancy of the Cork business diaspora and their strong sense on ingenuity, ambition and imagination.”

The event will conclude with a networking dinner event in Cork County Hall. Invitation to the Forum and networking dinner is by invitation only, and further information is available at www.globalcorkeconomicforum.com.

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