Local business people will get the chance to learn from Ireland's leading expert on entrepreneurship at an upcoming seminar. The first ever Regional Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Conference in the North West is taking place at An Gríanán Hotel, Burt on 23^rd October, with a focus on regional cross border business opportunities. The conference, part of a rolling programme of events promoting enterprise in the North West, aims to establish Derry and Donegal as a prime location for establishing or growing a business. The keynote speaker is Paula Fitzsimons, an internationally recognised expert on entrepreneurship and a former Director of the Global Entrepreneurship Research Association. Ms. Fitzsimons has advised the Irish government on the development of its national enterprise policy and is currently director for Going for Growth, a new initiative promoting peer support as an effective way to grow businesses. She has been the national co-ordinator for the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) for Ireland since 2000.

Also addressing the conference will be Trish Doorman, from 'Moon and Spoon, a Newry-based catering firm that supplies high-quality freshly prepared meals to crèches and children's nurseries. Trish and her business partner Donna Devlin will describe the challenges they've overcome as they developed a successful cross-border business. Professor Dolores O'Reilly of the International Business Strategy at the University of Ulster, Magee will Chair the half-day Conference. She was appointed Head of the newly created International Business School at Magee in 1999 and in July 2000 became joint co-executive director of the Northern Ireland Centre for Electronic Business.

"We're delighted to have secured Dolores O'Reilly as Chairperson" says Barry Rooney, North West Marketing. "Her knowledge of enterprise development is unmatched. We're also excited to host the first major regional conference focused solely on entrepreneurship in the North West. With speakers like Trish Doorman and Paula Fitzsimons we think the conference will provide real value to anyone who plans to start or develop a business in Derry or Donegal."

The conference is part of a unique cross-border project launched by four agencies in Donegal and Derry called 'Ireland North West - Making Business Happen'. Derry City Council, Donegal County Council, North West Marketing and Donegal County Enterprise Board have collaborated to create a new range of supports for local businesses, with the aim of driving faster enterprise development in the region.

Ireland North West - Making Business Happen has been part financed by the European Union through the INTERREG IIIA Programme. The event takes place from 9.30 to 12.45 on Tuesday 23^rd October, followed by lunch and a networking reception.

To register for the Regional Enterprise and Entrepreneurship conference, or to learn more about 'Ireland North West - Making Business Happen' please contact Barry Rooney, Enterprise Development Officer, North West Marketing on +44 (0) 28 71352693 or email barry@north-westmarketing.com or register on line at www.irelandnorthwest.eu/events.htm