T

THE team behind Kerry Expo is all set to host the second annual event. Organisers have pulled out all the stops and the Kerry Expo has just launched its own website, www.kerryexpo.ie.

With the launch of the dedicated website, businesses operating in Kerry region are invited to register their interest via the website to exhibit at the Kerry EXPO in the INEC, Killarney on April 9, said Kerry Expo director Liz Maher. “The event promises a full day of entertainment, including food tastings and sampling, all blended together with an extensive range of business, recruitment, educational and business support showcasing,” added Ms Maher.

Over the coming weeks information packs containing full exhibitor details, including exhibition costs and additional information will be sent to all companies and organisations that have registered their interest online. “To those looking to visit the expo on April 9 the website will also offer free admission to registered visitors,” said the event director.

“Visitors to the expo who are over 18s must register for free admission, while under-18s are free, once accompanied by an adult. Kids can avail of the free entertainment throughout the day,” added Ms Maher.
This week will also see the launch of Kerry Expo’s dedicated social media sites in
LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter and organisers believe that digital media will help to promote the event to a wide audience and a broad demographic.

“Capturing the attention of the Irish living abroad and raising brand awareness on behalf of exhibitors are both integral parts of the event,” said Ms Maher.
Organisers have collaborated with the GAA in an effort to spread the word and embed the message into every club in Ireland and abroad.

Diarmuid O Sé, vice-chair of the Kerry County Board, said: “We were delighted to accept the invitation to join the industry group currently promoting the Kerry Expo and we believe the collaboration between industry and GAA is certainly the way forward. If we are to keep our players in Kerry they will need to be employed and by coming together we can achieve so much more. We can encourage the brain drain back to Kerry grounds and to do this, the links between ourselves, jobs and education is an absolute necessity. This is a wonderful initiative and we will be actively encouraging everyone to come out and support it.”

Schools will be asked to support Kerry businesses by encouraging attendance to the EXPO, in an effort to instil in the younger generation, the benefits of living, working and studying in Kerry, added Liz Maher. "Organisers are currently in talks with national organisations so as to attract a national audience and promote the businesses in Kerry as far and wide as possible," she said.

It is anticipated that job opportunities across the county will grow significantly in the coming year with a number of Kerry based companies already looking to expand, added the expo director. “We hope that everyone will join us on April 9. “Please note places are limited and exhibition placement is on a first come first serve basis so don’t delay, you must register to receive the visitor information pack,” added Ms Maher.
 

 
At the Kerry EXPO Website  launch at The INEC, Killarney were front from left, Liz Maher ( EXPO Organiser), Paul Sherry (Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Vice-President), Angela McAllen (Killarney Municipal District Area Manager). In second row are Katie Larkin (Astellas), Elin Sorensen (GHQ), Fred McDonagh (Redchair Recruitment), Noel Healy (TLI Group) and John Dolan (Gleneagle Hotel). Back from left are Sean O'Keeffe (Kerry District League), Diarmaid O Se (Kerry GAA Board), Colette O’Donoghue (Tricel), Brendan Kennelly (Kerry's Eye), Sinead Delaney (Enercon), Shane Walsh (JRI America) and John Daly (Dairymaster). PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH