Small firms Gather for Survival, Resilience and Success
- SOLD OUT! Business Connect event takes place in Kildare
Thursday, 6 February 2025 - Ireland’s top entrepreneurs where among 400 people gathered for the annual Small Firms Association’s Business Connect event at Killashee Hotel, in Naas today. It is the second year in a row that the event has taken place in County Kildare.
The event is a unique opportunity for the small business community to network, learn and get inspired. Business Connect was opened by local TD, James Lawless, Minister for Higher Education and Science. The theme of the event is Survival, Resilience and Success and the keynote address was delivered by entrepreneur Aimee Connolly who founded an award-winning cosmetics range, Sculpted by Aimee. Business Connect was hosted by journalists Richard Curran which also featured presentations and panel discussions form Ireland’s leading business experts.
Commenting on the policy priorities for small businesses in her address to delegates, Geraldine Magnier, SFA Chair and CEO of Idiro Analytics said:
“Amid the challenges of rising business costs and geopolitical uncertainly, it is an exciting time for the small business community with the advent of this new Government.
“I am happy to see that the recently published Programme for Government has committed to developing a strategic roadmap for SMEs, and proposed changes to VAT and PRSI rates. I am also encouraged by the forthcoming establishment of a cost of business forum in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.”
Commenting on the attendance at Business Connect, SFA Director David Broderick said:
“This Business Connect sold out in just a few weeks, which once again cements it as Ireland’s leading small business networking event. The theme of survival, resilience and success reflect the reality that many small businesses are facing due to spiralling costs. It is the intention Business Connect to both inspire and provide practical advice to small business entrepreneurs.”
The sessions and panel discussions for the event are as follows:
Session One - Survival - Supports to Business – Where do you go? Who do you connect with? Who do you need to know
Presentation by Leo Clancy, CEO Enterprise Ireland
Panel discussion:
- Leo Clancy, CEO Enterprise Ireland
- Claire Dunleavy, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, LEO, Kildare
- Niall O’Kelly, COO, Agile Executives
Session Two - Resilience - Grow your Revenue - From branding to online sales strategy.
Presentation by Kevin Kelly, Sales Motivational Speaker, Managing Director of PaceOps
Panel discussion:
- Gerard Tannam, MD, Islandbridge
- Olivia Nash, Digital Marketing and E-commerce Manager, VITHIT
- Kevin Kelly
Session Three - Success - How digitalisation can bring efficiencies to your business – From Analog to AI.
Presentation by Maryrose Lyons – Founder AI Institute
Panel Discussion:
- Louise O’Conor, Rethink Digital Advisory
- Maryrose Lyons – Founder AI Institute
- Sinead Perry, Head of SMB Vodafone
ENDS
Notes to editor:
- SFA Director David Broderick is available for interviews and additional comment.
- For media queries please contact Jonathan McDade at 087 625 3551 and jonathan.mcdade@sfa.ie
- The Small Firms Association proudly represents a diverse membership of businesses with less than 50 employees: homegrown and spanning every sector of the economy with members found in every town and every city in Ireland.
