Businesswomen in Northern Ireland will have the opportunity to take part in a unique province wide networking event, which will show that networking is one of the most powerful ways for women to succeed in running a business.
The event, which is set to coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week, is run by Business Women’s Network NI and supported by Invest Northern Ireland. It will showcase how networking works for women entrepreneurs and will be an opportunity for members and non-members from across the province to connect. They can find ideas to help their businesses grow at the Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre on the 18th November.
RTE’s dynamic Dragon’s Den star Sarah Newman will be keynote speaker offering new inspiration about how to maximise business potential, and speaking about strategies and ideas to help grow business in today’s difficult climate. She is a highly successful entrepreneur who set up needahotel.com and who is now a private investor looking for new business ventures.
The Business Women’s Network NI with over 600 members is made up of four regional networks, which each help to connect local business women across the province.
Margaret Andrews, BWN NI events coordinator, is delighted to have such an inspirational speaker as Sarah Newman to attend this event and said that there is already a great deal of interest from the network. She explained why women benefit from a business support network that focuses on them. “Research shows that women need a little extra support and encouragement to take the first steps into business.”
“Here in Northern Ireland a smaller percentage of women take the step to set up their own business than in the rest of the UK, in Ireland or in the US. This is a huge loss to the local economy and it is therefore vitally important that we support women with great ideas to realise their potential.”
“Networking really works for women whatever stage of business you are in, but especially as a business growth mechanism. It not only gives access to contacts that may become clients or may give a referral, but many women benefit from the friendships they make along the way.”
The Meet a ‘Dragon’ network event for the BWN NI network will be held at the Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre from 4.30-7.30pm on the 18th November. Tickets cost £25 for members and £35 for non members with a hot buffet supper included. They are available to pre-book from the Business Women’s Network website on www.bwnni.com.
The Business Women’s Network is supported by Invest NI and comprises four local groups, Women on the Move (Co Antrim), Enterprising Women’s Network (Armagh & Down), Network for Enterprising Women, (Tyrone & Fermanagh) and Women in Enterprise (Derry/Londonderry). To find out more about events or joining a network in your area contact Margaret Andrews on 028 3083 7575 office@enterprisingwomen.biz