December Members News:
We talk with new members Company Occasions;
Ovation Global Prepare for Polo and have Crystal in SITE;
RTE Wants To Hear From You...;
Dundrum is Blooming;

Company Occasions Impress with Innovation and Interactivity
With more than 10 years of business and hundreds of unique and innovative events under their belt, the crew at Company Occasions have joined NEO Ireland. I got the chance to catch up with Una O'Neill Thornbury (pictured) recently.

I love their showreel, which you can view on YouTube - a very clever use of no-cost technology to market your product. Company Occasions are soon going to launch a Video Zone on their website, with short clips of interactive events. I'd say keep in touch with Una and make sure you get a note when it is launched.

Another way in which Company Occasions market themselves is through networking - Una says Networking is an essential part of business, it brings endless opportunities such as new business, new contacts which can aid your business and even little nuggets of information from just having a chat with someone that could go along way. Hear Hear! Says I ...

Enough of the good news - I asked Una what the near future holds for Company Occasions, particularly in the current economic climate. "We look forward with optimism and excitement to the challenge ahead as we've always offered something different" Says Una. "We need to break out of our comfort zones and create new ways of attracting new clients, and come up with more unique events to keep our existing clients interested. We feel that many of our distinctive team games are ideal for these times when clients may be more selective." Well said!

Una encourages anyone who is planning a team building event or any other sort of event where the theme needs to be different and special and interactivity is required to get in touch. "All that we need is a brief to show you what we can do. Meet with us and you'll see why we love what we do " Just what I think will survive and prosper in the near future, people with passion and professionalism as well as imagination.

Ovation Global Prepare for Polo! and Ovation Ireland Win Crystal at SITE
OK, so I made the Polo bit up - news from Ovation Global is of the opening of their new office in Argentina. Patrick Delaney summed up the news "Ovation clients are constantly seeking out new motivational experiences and we are delighted to be able to support them with a team of local experts who intimately understand the logistical, creative and strategic requirements of meetings, events and incentive travel not only in Argentina but across all our destination locations".

Meanwhile, at home, Ovation Ireland were delighted to receive a SITE Award for Most Outstanding Travel Award Programme. Ovation Ireland received the award for an event for the Board of Directors of a South East Asian financial institution in collaboration with The Veritas Group, Sydney. The five day program held in Dublin last summer involved Michelin chef catered events, escorted walking tours with local author and historian, company sponsored day at the races, signature seated dinner in the Gravity Bar of the Guinness Storehouse and an exclusive performance of Handels Messiah with full baroque orchestra during dinner at Dublin Castle

RTE Want You... If You Don't Have Enough Hours in the Day!
When the producers of Not Enough Hours were thinking about people who might have waaay too much to do and not enough time to do it in, they thought of events organisers. Wonder why? So I promised them I'd pass on the information and if you feel you'd be a good candidate, give them a call.

• Are you under pressure, feeling stressed working long hours and feeling that work is getting on top of you?
• Do you feel you don’t have enough time to get everything done; are you able to juggle all aspects of your life?
• Is something important being neglected like family time, time for yourself, time to forward plan your business?
• In the current climate the pressure is on to work harder than ever before to stay afloat, and to be able to do so in an organised way.

Not Enough Hours can provide expert help and advice to help you prioritise and get the most out of the time you have.

Last year we featured a business woman who ran her own hair salon. She found it difficult to delegate, her employees saw her as one of them as opposed to being the boss. As a result she was working on the floor just as much as them and had no time to stand back and take stock of where the business was going, her health was suffering and as a mother of two small children she felt they were missing out. As a result to the programme she learnt how to delegate, how to say NO, and how to reclaim more time for her family and time to forward plan for the business.

We also featured a business man, who was working 14 hour days, work was brought home and he could never switch off. He was missing out on family time and spent a lot of time in the business doing things which weren’t moving the business along. With the help of Not Enough Hours, he was able to put systems in place to free up some more time and as a result the work he did do became more effective.

Other candidates included a stay at home mum, on maternity leave who felt she wouldn’t be able to put systems in place to go back to work, a single mom who was a mature student, a working mom who was a perfectionist but hadn’t the time to spend with her family.

NOT ENOUGH HOURS is shot between January and April and involves 7 days filming in that period. The Series is presented by psychologist and time management expert Owen Fitzpatrick. All the candidates from the last series found the whole process hugely beneficial, they received help and advice that would have cost dearly in the outside world and they all built a strong relationship with Owen and as a result are still in contact with him.

If you feel you could benefit from NOT ENOUGH HOURS or you know someone who could, please email notenoughhours@rte.ie or phone Teresa on 01 2083078.

Blooming in Dundrum
Many of you will have met Eva Acton at a NEO event, or seen one of her fabulous Floral Expressions. If so, you'll be glad to hear that earlier this year Eva opened a retail outlet, Dundrum Blooms, in, well, Dundrum. It's definitely not too late to pop in and get a garland or table piece, or just a beautiful bouquet for someone who deserves it.

New members Irish Provincial Hampers are re-branding as Hampers & Co - so, Hampers & Co meet the NEO Ezine Reader, NEO Ezine Reader - meet Hampers & Co.

I first came across Hampers & Co several years ago at one of the Marketing Shows in the RDS, and met up with them again at last years Marketing Expo. I was walking around the other stands, looking at what was on offer and happened upon this veritable Aladins cave of goodies and gorgeousness. And I'm not actually talking about the Epicurean Feast pictured below.

What impressed me most about Hampers & Co was their extraordinary attention to detail on every level of their presentation. The stand was wallpapered with the most beautiful fabric, and everywhere I looked there were little touches of beauty. Their catalogue and website are gorgeous too - I really feel at home in their look and feel.

Emer Purcell founded Hampers & Co in 1993, and they currently employ 5 permanent staff and 35 seasonal. That's an indication of how busy they get at Christmas, delivering in excess of 20,000 hampers every year. Emer and her team invest a huge amount of time in sourcing the finest culinary treats from around the world in order to create hampers that make incomparable gifts which are beautifully packaged. They pride themselves in their tradition of delivering in perfect condition directly to each recipients door. Emer says that "Every hamper has its own individual story to tell with its unique air of exclusivity and prestige."

I asked Emer what her philosophy on customer care is and what drives her (other than the obvious love of beauty and luxury!). Emer says "At Hampers & Co we treat the smallest and the largest alike. However I do love when we get a new client who has never dealt with us before looking for the ideal gift and delivering more then their expectations. Getting that excited call to say that their client/friend or family member was blown away with their gift is a great feeling."

She also says "Our slogan is Whatever the reason, whatever the season, we deliver! This has really proven to be the best marketing approach to take, as all of our satisfied customers pass on the word to their business colleagues and friends who in turn come to us looking for their gifting solutions. " I'm not surprised! Emer got excited then and went on to say "All the gifts are beautifully packaged, and brimming with a selection of award winning Wines, divine Chocolates, scrumptious Sweets, delectable Cakes, mouth watering Biscuits. Accompanied by select cheeses and smoked salmon, finished off with a range of classic Champagne's, Port's and Liqueur's, combine this with an impeccable service from Hampers & Co and you have "The Quality Gift solution"."

Looking forward to hearing more from Hampers & Co in the near future! You can visit their website and get your mouth watering at all the goodies: www.irishhampers.com.

That bad news for the Events Industry Skillnet ... well, it really was good news for MCI Dublin and probably will be good news for the Events Industry Skillnet too. Turns out that Jean Evans, who has been CEO of the Dublin Convention Bureau since 2004, and a real driving force in helping the business tourism community move forward, has been appointed Director of Conference Services with MCI Dublin (formerly Ovation Group).

Jean was one of the most active members of the Events Industry Skillnet Steering Group, contributing significant time, expertise, experience and enthusiasm. I remember the first time I met her - back in 2004 oddly enough - and got a look at the first batch of marketing materials for what was then the new Dublin Convention Bureau. I loved the look and feel then, and have really enjoyed the interactions with Jean over the years. I hope that in her new role at MCI Dublin she will be seconded to the Events Industry Skillnet steering group - we'd love to have her back!

As Jean joins MCI Dublin, another of the industry's powerhouses moves on - Siobhan O'Hare has tendered her resignation from MCI Dublin, following succesful completion of her MBA. Pat Delaney and Padraic Gilligan (joint managing directors of MCI Dublin) complimented both Jean and Siobhan with the following phrases: Managing Director, Patrick Delaney said "We'd like to thank Siobhan for her excellent leadership over the past four years. She played a key role in helping to establish MCI/Ovation as Ireland's premier professional conference organiser". Padraic Gilligan, joint-Managing Director added "Jean Evans brings a wealth of experience to MCI from her time with Tourism Ireland and Dublin Tourism. She is a highly respected figure in the meetings, incentives, conference and events industry and we are thrilled to have her on board as the leader of our Conference Division’’.

Fun Ireland Open Dublin and Galway Offices

That slightly broody picture of Barry Kiely probably doesn't do him justice as he takes over the running of Fun Ireland's new Dublin office. Pictured with him are Rebecca May and John Fitzgerald - Fun Ireland's two drivers - who have recently announced the opening of their Dublin and Galway offices. Visit the Fun Ireland website for more information on their services - we loved the DaVinci Code - wish I could have participated...

The Festival of World Cultures
I had hoped to have lovely pictures of the Festival of World Cultures launch - but I missed it! I stuck it in my diary for the wrong day. Gutted. The Festival went brilliantly though - aside from the puddles... We've just had a visit from Clare, Elaine and Laura who look a little tired after all their hard work. Well done again gang!

In Any Event
News from our friends in the North is of a half day conference and expo for event organisers called In Any Event. Taking place on the 3rd of September from 08.30 to 12.30 at the Wellington Park Hotel, Malone Road, Belfast, you'll hear from Geoff Wilson of the Irish Football Association, our good friends Conor McCarthy and Mark Duckenfield from the Street Performance World Championships and Pauline Gordon from PG Consulting.

In Any Event is sponsored by a number of industry leaders including NEO members Expand-A-Sign. It's free to attend, so head over to www.in-anyevent.co.uk to register.

Financial Freedom...
I'm in two minds about putting this one in, but it may be of interest to some of you and it's a slow month, so here goes. I received an email from Endeavour Coaching MD Andy Eves, offering 10 free tickets to their 2 day seminar on financial freedom. 20% of the profits of the event are going to Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin. So if you're interested in being one of the lucky 10 who get to attend the seminar on October 4th & 5th, all refreshments included, then please email me (sarah_at_neoireland.com - replace the _at_ with an @ symbol) before Friday, August 29 (2008). Information about the seminar is at: www.inspireireland.com. The lineup is 9 self made millionaires who will tell you how to "Start And Run Your Own Information Marketing Business". I'm not one hundred percent certain that any of us would be prepared to give up a weekend for this - but you never know! I'll be enjoying my birthday, and am not allowed to start any more new businesses anyhow...

Applied Signs & Display, Ireland’s leading provider of signage and premium exhibition & display stands, is celebrating 20 years in business this month. The company, which has provided a comprehensive ‘one-stop-shop’ solution for Irish businesses is also celebrating it’s recent move to a purpose-built, 8000 square foot premises in Clonshaugh Industrial Estate.

The move from Santry to Clonshaugh allows Applied Signs & Display to concentrate on selling and producing large scale displays, as well as improving efficiency within graphic and signage production. The company specialises in providing premium quality products with long-term functionality rather than 'disposable', quick-fix display solutions.

Applied Signs & Display has, since 1989, been authorized distributors for Nomadic Display Products, the inventors of the ‘Pop Up’ display stand, and as a result have amassed a wealth of knowledge and practical experience. These Nomadic Display stands led the company to become the world leader in display technology, with distributors in 30 countries, yet the stands are manufactured in Co. Mayo, which means that Applied Signs & Display have the privilege of being close to the manufacturing and creative hub of this international company.

Plans for the future include fabric printing, expansion of the graphic design studio as well as promoting their range of custom build exhibition stands for hire. Pictured below is the Applied Signs sales manager Sean Lally, with former Miss Ireland Blaithnaid McKenna.

Congratulations guys! www.appliedsigns.ie

Could we let a July go by without mentioning the dreaded X Word? You know what I'm talking about - it's also known as Christmas. I think this year I'm sitting it out - although as I say that I find myself getting all tearey eyed on the idea...



So far this month we've had brochures in from the Clarion IFSC - their packages are always so pretty. The brochure doesn't seem to be on their website yet, so let me tell you that there is definitely turkey on the menu.

Next off the mark is the Vaults D1 - more turkey, and Christmas pudding... the Vaults can cater for private parties from 8 to 1,000 people, and most pacages include free entry to the V1 Nightclub.

When Michael Nolan first told me about the idea he had for the Family Show 2008, I really thought it was going to be brilliant. Looks like I wasn't wrong! (oooh I love to be right...). It's finally coming to pass this weekend at the RDS, and if you have a family at all - head down there. There really is something for everyone.

A Gaming Cockpit, Kung Fu Panda and Loads of Sports Demonstrations; Pets Corner (keep an eye out for the Pet Expo team, they're getting ready for Pet Expo Cork on July 5th); The amazing family album with pictures of families from all over the world.

Visit the Family Show website for more details, or just pop along to the RDS.