Taking Care of Business 2019

Do you own or manage a small business? Are you thinking of starting a new business? Then this event is for you!

Register now at www.takingcareofbusiness.ie for the free half-day event in the Sheraton Hotel, Gleeson Street, Athlone, on Wednesday, 2 October, 2019.

The one-stop-shop event is specifically targeted at people thinking of starting a business as well as existing small business owners and managers to help them:

· Better understand the main regulations that affect them so that they can focus on the main task of running their business;
· Meet experts from a broad range of public bodies in an informal setting;
· Find out about advice and supports that are available from the public sector.

The free half-day event will open for registration at 8.15am and conclude at 1.30pm. There will be two separate strands running at the same time, with presentations from State bodies in one area and information stands with representatives from these State bodies in a separate area. The concise presentations will focus on key regulatory requirements and assistance available to help entrepreneurs develop their businesses. Experts will be available at the information stands to speak directly to attendees and answer questions.

This free ‘Taking Care of Business’ event is an initiative of the Government of Ireland, run by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in conjunction with the Health and Safety Authority and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, and will bring together more than 25 State and public-sector bodies, agencies and services in one location. The event will be an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs, business-owners and managers to learn about the broad range of advice and support that is available. This will also give attendees the chance to communicate with public bodies about their business concerns.

The State offices and agencies represented will provide information across a wide range of areas, including:
· Tax, employment and Health & Safety obligations;
· Legal requirements for setting up and running a company;
· Requirements in areas such as food and environmental safety;
· Assistance and supports from enterprise agencies, and;
· Brexit advice, including information on the Brexit Loan Scheme.

A number of representative bodies from industry have also come together to support the event and will be available to talk to attendees on the day.

Early booking is strongly advised as there are a limited number of places available. You may register, free of charge, by visiting www.takingcareofbusiness.ie. The website provides full details of the event including the running order for presentations and the full list of bodies attending.

The State and public-sector offices, agencies and services represented will be:

· Local Enterprise Offices
· Revenue Commissioners
· Enterprise Ireland
· Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
· Companies Registration Office
· Food Safety Authority of Ireland
· Health and Safety Authority
· Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement
· Workplace Relations Commission
· Office of Government Procurement
· Intreo/Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
· National Standards Authority of Ireland
· Microfinance Ireland
· Credit Review Office
· Prompt Payment Code
· Personal Injuries Assessment Board
· Science Foundation Ireland
· Skillnet Ireland (supporting and working with businesses to address their current and future skill needs)
· Health Products Regulatory Authority
· Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland
· Solvit (informal problem-solving network for EU citizens and businesses)
· Patents Office
· IntertradeIreland
· Enterprise Europe Network
· Supporting SMEs online tool (Access to Finance)
· Trade Licensing and Control Unit, Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation

Full schedule of speakers available here.

This ‘Taking Care of Business’ event in Athlone is supported by the Small Firms Association, Chambers Ireland, Athlone Chamber, ISME, RGDATA, ACCA, IBEC, IDA Ireland, the Construction Industry Federation, and the Hardware Association of Ireland.

The hashtags for the event are #supportforbusiness and #TCOB2019