BLUE LIGHT AWARDS
Emergency services personnel are set be recognised for their exceptional dedication and bravery at the inaugural Northern Ireland Blue Light Awards.
The awards, which are free to enter, will recognise and celebrate individuals and teams who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment in serving and protecting the people of Northern Ireland.
Hosted by Pamela Ballantine, the prestigious gala awards ceremony will take place on Thursday February 27 2025 at the Culloden Estate and Spa.
Graham Given and Jason Gillard, co-founders of CTS Connect Through Service and the NI Blue Light Awards, said: “Our emergency services personnel face formidable challenges daily, often risking their lives to ensure community safety. These awards serve as a testament to our profound gratitude for their unwavering commitment and professionalism. We are honoured to launch this initiative and anticipate it becoming an annual celebration.”
The Blue Light Awards will honour the vital statutory and voluntary services in the north who respond to keep the public safe, including the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, search & rescue practitioners, paramedics and ambulance services and police.
For further information about the Northern Ireland Blue Light Awards, including how to enter, ticket details, and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.bluelightsawards.com
WORKPLACE HEALTH
On Thursday September 12, NI Chamber and BT are set to host a business-focused guide to creating resilient, sustainable and high-performing workplaces.
A panel of experts including John Ryan, chief executive of Healthy Place To Work, and Dr Michael Burchell, the co-authors of ‘Make Work Healthy’, will discuss where business leaders should focus their efforts to create healthier, more sustainable and productive workplaces.
This will include insights into the pivotal role of health in achieving sustainable high performance and what companies here can learn from global research on workplace health. It will also cover pain points specific to Northern Ireland businesses and delve into opportunities for the region to become a leader in workplace health.
On the day, John Ryan and Dr Michael Burchell will launch their book ‘Make Work Healthy’; a how-to guide for business leaders who want to create resilient, sustainable and high performing workplaces.
The event takes place at 4pm in BT Riverside Tower, Belfast. It is free for NI Chamber members to attend. To register visit www.northernirelandchamber.com
FOOD TO GO AWARDS
The final countdown is on for Northern Ireland’s food to go businesses to submit their entries to the first ever NI Food to Go Awards, in association with Henderson Foodservice.
Entries will close on Friday September, and NI Food to Go Association chief executive Michael Henderson says it is more important than ever for businesses operating throughout the sector to shout about their success and contribution to their local communities.
He said: “The NI Food to Go Association has engaged with so many businesses operating within the food to go sector here, and who are bringing new cultures and tastes to make local communities even more vibrant. They are also making a hugely important contribution to our local economy, providing jobs and working with local food suppliers.
“Their entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to the sector should be honoured, and these awards will help to truly celebrate all they bring to the industry. The awards will be seen as a benchmark of excellence, but also a chance to showcase those outlets that are continuing to learn and grow, evolving their professionalism and standards.”
The entries will be judges by an esteemed panel of professionals, chaired by restaurant reviewer and food writer, Joris Minne. To enter and for more information visit https://www.foodtogoawards.co.uk/.
The awards themselves take place on November 19 at Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel, hosted by radio presenter Ibe Sesay. As well as title sponsor, Henderson Foodservice, category sponsors are Smartpay, Riada NI, Towergate Insurance, Flipdish, Evolve HR, Pro-Active Accounting, Eat Local, Frylite, Coca Cola, Biopax and Zeus Packaging.
Aspects Festival
The annual Aspects Festival is set to take place from Wednesday September 25 to Sunday October 6, drawing writers, poets, and literature lovers to Bangor for a celebration of some of the best writing this island has to offer.
Organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, this year marks the 33rd edition of Aspects, making it the north’s longest-standing literature festival.
The 2024 programme presents a selection of writing events covering many diverse genres, including crime, songwriting, poetry, politics, memoir, nature writing and storytelling, featuring writers from all over Ireland as well as talented local writers.
This year’s line-up includes some very special events that will explore careers and lives in writing. Aspects is delighted to kick off the Festival with Bangor songwriter Foy Vance, who will discuss his favourite books, writing inspiration and stories from over three decades of honing his songwriting craft.
The poetry lover is in for a real treat this year with the renowned Michael Longley, Theo Dorgan, Paula Meehan, Victoria Kennefick, Emma McKervey and Mícheál McCann all reading from recent work.
Award winning writers Evelyn Conlon, Mary Costello and Andrew Hughes will discuss their latest books. As always, these events offer a chance to hear the writer read their own work, along with giving the audience a chance to ask questions they have always wanted to know.
The Festival’s workshop programme caters to a wide range of interests, including two new workshops - Storytelling and Ulster-Scots Poetry. There are also events that mix poetry, writing and music in Bangor’s Ghost and Four, a special event with Glenn Patterson and Anthony Toner and friends.
John Hume: The Full Picture, will be a unique evening at Bangor Castle with John Hume’s biographer and portrait artist Stephen Walker and Colin Davidson, where they will give revealing insights into the life of a political icon.
The full programme and tickets are available at www.aspectsfestival.com
Belfast Restaurant Week
Belfast Restaurant Week, led by Belfast City’s three Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) - Belfast One, Destination CQ, and Linen Quarter BID - will return for 2024 from October 7-13.
Food establishments across the city are being encouraged to register to participate in the acclaimed event, now in its fifth year.
Whilst in previous years, the event’s format has focused on value, this year the celebration has evolved to allow hospitality venues to host creative experiences from food pairings to tasting menus to demonstrations and masterclasses.
In 2023, Belfast Restaurant Week saw 49 restaurants taking part, leading to an estimated £190,000 additional spend across the city centre.
Damian Corr, manager at Destination CQ BID, said this year’s fresh concept hopes to address the challenges faced by the hospitality industry by unlocking more opportunity for venues to get involved.
Over the coming months offers and experiences available will be listed on the Belfast Restaurant Week website.
For more information on Belfast Restaurant Week and upcoming offers visit belfastrestaurantweek.org. Hospitality businesses interested in participating should contact Lesley@theeventor.com
All-Ireland Sustainability Awards
The 2024 All-Ireland Sustainability Awards have been set for October 24 at the La Mon Hotel & Country Club in Belfast, where the best in sustainable innovation will be recognised.
Cork-based sustainable consultancy firm Climeaction has come on board as the main sponsor. Renowned for its cutting-edge solutions in reducing carbon footprints and enhancing environmental performance, Climeaction who is expanding its influence to the United States, continues to champion green initiatives across the Island of Ireland.
Its chief executive Paul Murphy said: " We are delighted to partner with the All-Ireland Sustainability Awards in recognising the critical role businesses play in driving sustainable growth. It’s an honour to celebrate those paving the way for a better future.”
Entry to the awards is free, and applicants can enter as many projects as they wish across multiple categories, offering businesses and individuals a fantastic opportunity to showcase their sustainability efforts and gain recognition on a prestigious platform.
2024 welcomes a few other exciting new introductions, including a beautiful, new ceramic trophy commission designed by Babs Belshaw of The Blackheath Pottery in Coleraine. The new ‘Green Legacy Award’ will also be introduced, set to honour individuals who have contributed a significant impact on sustainability in Ireland through leadership in advocacy, policy, education, or innovation.
With 15 categories ranging from ‘Tech for Good’ and Sustainable Tourism to Green Marketing and Net-Zero Initiatives, there are plenty of options for showcasing projects across the wider sustainability agenda. Supported by NIE Networks, Danske Bank, Everun, AD Sustainability, Adler & Allan, Visit Belfast and media partner U105 to name but a few, the awards promise to be a landmark event in the sustainability calendar.
For a full list of categories and to enter, visit allirelandsustainability.com. The deadline for entries is 1pm on September 6.
European Heritage Open Day
This year’s European Heritage Open Day programme includes an exclusive opportunity to go behind the scenes at Belfast’s iconic venue, the Ulster Hall.
On Saturday September 14, ticket-holders for three limited release guided tours will get a unique opportunity to see and hear some of the Ulster Hall’s best kept secrets, including its role in landmark moments in Belfast’s culture, politics and history.
Designed by the same architect as Belfast’s famous Albert Clock, for more than 160 years the Ulster Hall has played host to famous figures such as Charles Dickens and the Dalai Lama, and legends of music including the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, who debuted their classic Stairway to Heaven at the venue in 1971; visitors will also learn why Winston Churchill was once barred from a political event there.
The Annual European Heritage Open Days celebrate local architecture, history and culture and in Northern Ireland are organised by the Department for Communities with the support of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. The once-a-year event allows visitors to look behind the scenes at familiar landmarks and learn more about their heritage and architecture.
Ulster Hall tours will be limited to just 20 places, at 10am, 11am and 12noon. To secure your place book via https://www.ulsterhall.co.uk/what-s-on/european-heritage-open-day/
Chamber Golf Day
NI Chamber will host its highly anticipated annual golf day on Friday September13.
In partnership with G4S and MCS Group, members from across the north will tee off at the popular event, which returns to the prestigious Malone Golf Club.
Eagerly awaited day in the business calendar, the day is designed to help member businesses broaden their business network, whilst also allowing for some fun competition as members battle it out to take home the renowned Golf Challenge Trophy, which last year went to the team from JMC Electrics.
Wine To Dine For
Beefsteak Club Wines has teamed up with award-winning chef Niall McKenna and his Waterman Restaurant in Belfast to host a special culinary experience for local wine enthusiasts and food lovers.
Distributed in Northern Ireland by Craigavon-based United Wines, Beefsteak Club is inspired by London’s dining clubs of the 18th century and offers a cracking range of quality wines from around the world, all perfect for pairing with your favourite food dishes – something guests will have an opportunity to experience at Waterman House on Saturday, October 12, 2024.
As part of Beefsteak Club’s ‘Wine to Dine For’ campaign, this exclusive ‘supper club’ style event will be hosted by Ciaran Meyler, wine manager at United Wines, who has enjoyed an outstanding career as a wine professional from server to seller.
Guests will receive a glass of wine on arrival, followed by an opportunity to indulge in four delicious small plates, each paired perfectly with a glass of Beefsteak Club wines.
Tickets for the ‘Wine to Dine For’ event are available now at just £55 per person and are expected to sell out quickly with only 80 seats available – so early reservations are recommended. To secure a place, tickets can be purchased at www.waterman.house/collections/events/products/beefsteak-club-wine-evening.
Menopause Conference
The inaugural Menopause NI Conference will take place on Friday October 18 in Belfast. Coinciding with World Menopause Day, it aims to bring together women and employers to understand and address the unique challenges faced by women experiencing menopause in the workplace.
The one-day event in the Clayton Hotel on Ormeau Avenue will serve as a platform for education, discussion, and collaboration, focusing on what women need from their employers during this pivotal life stage.
The event is being hosted by Siobhan Kearney, founder of Menopause NI, who has been working extensively with businesses in the north to create more awareness of the impact menopause can have on women in the workplace.
She has carried out research into women’s experiences of menopause in Northern Ireland and created the first Menopause Manifesto highlighting what support women need when they are experiencing menopause symptoms.
Siobhan will also be joined by GP Dr Andrea Latimer, an occupational health doctor, primary care women’s health and menopause specialist. Her extensive experience with a focus on holistic care and women’s health in the workplace, positions her perfectly to address the challenges of menopause for both employers and employees.
Also speaking and delivering interactive workshops at the event will be Michelle McGinley from the Employers Federation, personal trainer and menopause coach Geraldine McAleenan, author and founder of Be Inspired to Be Belinda O’Neill and nutritionist Jane McClenaghan. Menopause advocate and BBC NI’s health correspondent Marie Louise Connolly will be facilitating the event.
For more information about the Menopause NI Conference and to register, visit www.menopauseni.com
BRILLIANT BY DESIGN
An innovative one-day event from John Kelly Connects and FXL Executive Solutions Ltd, will take place at Titanic Hotel Belfast on September 26.
Brilliant by Design will feature a variety of inspiring speakers aiming to help individuals and businesses untap their potential to flourish and deliver transformational change in business success, relationships, well-being and creativity.
Event speakers include: John F Kelly, Laura O’Neill, Eileen Beamish, Yvonne Moore Smyth, Paul Barbour and Cormac Neeson.
For further information and booking details visit johnkellyconnects.com. Tickets are £225pp with early bird £175 available until end of June. Price includes lunch and refreshments.
CO3 LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Northern Ireland’s largest leadership summit returns on September 26 2024 at the La Mon Hotel.
The CO3 Leadership Summit will see over 250 senior leaders meet for the biggest networking and learning event for leaders of the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland.
World leading social entrepreneur and campaigner Josh Littlejohn will be making his return to CO3 after five years, and will examine how things have changed in that time and delegates will learn if John has continued to ‘pay it forward’.
Other speakers will include: Roisin Wood, Community Foundation NI; Lye Ogunsanya, Didean; Colin Catney, National Museums NI; Kate Beggs, The National Lottery Community Fund; Jane Trenaman, The Fundraising Leadership Assembly; and Aine Myler Charities Institute Ireland.
The Future of Funding panel will feature representative from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Halifax Foundation, Fermanagh House and the National Lottery.
ULSTER HOCKEY LUNCH
Ulster Hockey will welcome Olympic athlete Sally Gunnell to Belfast on Friday September 20 as special guest and keynote speaker at its Club 1896 gala lunch.
Set to take place at Titanic Belfast, the event will feature a panel discussion between local business leaders and successful sportspeople, exploring how they have managed challenges throughout their career and obstacles they have overcome.
Panellists confirmed include director of women’s football at the Irish Football Association and chair of the Female Sports Forum Angela Platt; managing partner of Arthur Cox Lynsey Mallon; and international hockey star Eugene Magee.
Tickets for the lunch, which is supported by Arthur Cox, are available via Eventbrite (search Ulster Hockey Club 1896) or from Ulster Hockey.