Business

Business diary . . . events coming up

Business diary
Pictured with AIB apprentices Leah Gorman, Caleb Didrichsen and Stuart Gibson ahead of an open night on February 5 are AIB’s head of retail & NI Brian Gillan, Lucy Marshall from Workplus and AIB NI’s Rachael Trimble

APPRENTICES EVENT

AIB NI has partnered with early talent experts Workplus to hold a special event for young people, parents and career changers during NI Apprenticeship Week.

The bank already has a strong early talent culture and is looking to further grow its staff in Northern Ireland in 2024 through apprenticeships.

There are currently a number of apprenticeship opportunities in AIB NI across branch, retail, business and mortgage areas.

The AIB NI Open Night event will take place at 5pm on Tuesday February 6 at the AIB NI head office at Ann Street, Belfast. The event is free to attend and will include information on the apprenticeship roles available, talks from senior members of AIB NI, interviews with current apprentices, and guidance on the application process. To register, visit Eventbrite here.

Applications for AIB NI’s apprenticeship opportunities can be made through Workplus – applications are currently open until February 23.

Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week runs from February 5-9 with the theme Apprenticeships: Release Your Potential.

Community Fund
The deadline for communities to apply for funding through the Openreach Community Fund (formerly the Telecommunity Fund) is January 30. The fund has already made 569 awards, with 293,122 beneficiaries being supported. To apply visit communityfoundationni.org. Pictured launching this year's fund are (from left) Kathryn Davidson (founder of Sensory Kids), Lois Kilpatrick (grants and donor care officer/ health funds grants co-ordinator at CFNI) and Kathryn Barry (marketing and public relations manager at Openreach) (DARREN KIDD)

DIGITAL CONFERENCE AT ULSTER UNIVERSITY

Ulster University will host world-leading experts in digital marketing at a day-long event taking place at its Belfast campus on Thursday January 25.

The event will welcome speakers from WIX, STAT Sports, ASOS and many more for a day of insight and learning and will be co-hosted by Emma Burdett, Belfast-based digital marketing consultant. The last remaining tickets for the event are available from https://thedmsessions.com.

Ticketholders will enjoy a coffee reception followed by a day of talks from some of the most prominent digital, marketing and culture building businesses in the UK with lunch provided.

The DM Conference is the evolution of the DM Sessions, a monthly meet-up hosted at Banana Block in east Belfast that brings people from digital industries across Northern Ireland together to network, learn and grow.

The DM Sessions is the brainchild of Emma Burdett and boasts more than 1,000 members. Each month, the digital marketing networking and upskilling group hosts a free night of networking, pizza and talk from a marketing industry professional.

Emma said: “The DM Conference will bring the very best speakers to the stunning new Ulster University campus for a day of networking, learning and inspiration. The DM Sessions have welcomed over 300 marketers in the last year to hear from some of the very best local industry professionals and we want to widen that out to a bigger audience, this conference is the perfect opportunity to do just that.

“The conference will be a fantastic opportunity for recent graduates, current and prospective students, to really understand the range of marketing communication professions open to them, and the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.”

Catrin Rhys, Head of School of Communication and Media, who is sponsoring the event said, “Ulster places great value on collaboration with our partners in industry as critical to sustaining innovation, so we are delighted to partner and host this event with Emma and the DM Sessions at our new state of the art Belfast campus.”

“Our Day 2 panel of alumni from the School of Communication and Media will be a fantastic opportunity for recent graduates, current and prospective students, to really understand the range of marketing communication professions open to them, and the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.”The DM Conference will take place at Ulster University’s Belfast campus on Thursday 25th January 2024, and you can find last chance tickets available here – https://thedmsessions.com

Belfast Summit 2024
Launching the Belfast Summit 2024, which takes place on February 15, are (from left) Alan Crow, Belfast One; Professor Duncan Morrow, Ulster University; Eimear McCracken, Belfast One; Damien Corr, Destination CQ; Brendan Mulgrew, MW Advocate; and Chris McCracken, Linen Quarter BID (@Matt Mackey)

SUMMIT ABOUT BELFAST

Belfast Summit 2024 welcomes keynote speaker

Franco-Columbian urban planning expert Professor Carlos Moreno, creator of the 15-minute city concept, will be the keynote speaker at the Belfast Summit 2024 www.belfastsummit.com, which takes place at Ulster University’s Belfast campus on February 15

Supported by the city’s Business Improvement Districts Belfast One, Destination CQ and Linen Quarter BID along with Ulster University and MW Advocate, the summit sees Professor Moreno make his first visit to Northern Ireland.

Carlos, who is Professor at the University of Pantheon-Sorbonne, has achieved global recognition for his pioneering vision around the 15-minute city - a concept which would see everyday amenities all within a 15 minute walk or cycle from home.

The Belfast Summit will hear from leaders in business, hospitality, housing and eduction, each of whom will lay out their vision for the city and how it can thrive.

MW Advocate managing partner Brendan Mulgrew said: “Our city faces a set of unique challenges including its history, the structures of government and the lack of an NI Executive, as well as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and ongoing challenges around public finances and social deprivation.

“But the potential is clear that by working together and listening to those from across our city, it can become one of the best places to live, work and visit in Europe.”

Professor Duncan Morrow, director of regional engagement at Ulster University, added: “We’re excited to host the Belfast Summit 2024 at our Belfast campus, which has made a transformative contribution to the regeneration of much of the centre of the city.

“Alongside everyone involved in the summit, we want to see Belfast flourish as a place to live, work, socialise and, of course, to learn. We are looking forward to welcoming delegates to our Belfast campus and to hearing about the ideas and vision that each participant has for our city.”

Chat GPT workshop
ProfileTree founder Ciaran Connolly (right), who will be leading the free workshop on Chat GPT on February 8, pictured with Innovation Factory engagement manager Shane Smith

DEMYSTIFYING CHAT GPT

Innovation Factory on the Springfield Road in Belfast will host a seminar to demystify Chat GPT on February 8 to help businesses stay on top of the massive changes in communications technology.

The Complete Guide to Chat GPT will explain how this technology can assist customer engagement by automating routine tasks, saving time and resources. The masterclass will also look at techniques to tailor chatbot interactions to individual customers, creating a more personalised experience for customers.

The event, which is open to all, will be held from 9.30-11.30am and be led by Ciaran Connolly, founder of ProfileTree, a leading web design and digital marketing agency. Pre-booking is required.

He said: “Technologies like ChatGPT are transforming how businesses connect with customers.. By showcasing how these technologies are easy and cost-effective to use, we hope to empower local businesses to boost sales and stay competitive in an increasingly digital landscape.”

To book a free space at the Complete Guide to Chat GPT go to: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/complete-guide-to-chat-gpt-tickets