We were at the Network Cork awards which was attended by women of all ages who work across all sectors from healthcare to hospitality, legal to media.
It can prove a bit of challenge to design an event, particularly when choosing a speaker and/ or an MC, that will appeal to such a broad and varied audience although we did have one thing in common – we were all female professionals.
Working with clients on events, we know only too well how much thought and debate goes into this element of planning and rightly so, as the speaker’s contribution is often what an event’s success and value is measured upon by the audience – moreover location, food, entertainment etc.
Network Cork got it very right with a speech from the President of Network Ireland Deirdre Waldron who gave her personal story of taking the leap of faith into entrepreneurship that demonstrated the importance of self belief and support from fellow women in business.
This communicated through an impactful story the invaluable support and network that Network Cork and indeed Network Ireland is.
This was followed by a speech from Bernice Moran who few in the room knew before the event but who everyone wanted to be friends with by the end. Bernice is the co-founder and director of luxury confectionery business The Be Sweet Company but she’s not just a female entrepreneur but a Virgin Atlantic 747 pilot and a mum of three children!
She captivated the room with her awe-inspiring story, wit and humble charm. This savvy communicator and business woman sweetened up the room with chocolates (and boosted visual brand awareness with product placement on each table) and she expertly communicated not just her business and product’s key messages and USP’s, but also her own – after all people buy people.
With brilliant skill she told her incredible story of high achievement, “ballsiness”, belief and business all the while being relatable, honest, engaging as well as entertaining. She won the room over and was a talking point among the audience for the rest of the event and thereafter.
I, and many others I know of who attended the event, told other people we met since about her and her story and in doing so we’ve not only helped to spread the word of the brilliant Bernice Moran and her company but of Network Cork and Network Ireland.
This is the perfect result from an event such as this and it just goes to show the power and reach of a good story.
Aoibhinn Twomey
Aoibhinn Twomey is a Senior Account Director with Fuzion PR, Marketing and Graphic Design who have offices in Dublin and Cork, Ireland
