Good afternoon ,

Welcome to this week's jam-packed issue of Dublin Chamber Weekly. This week we focus on the latest news from around the Dublin business community.

We've news and offers from a whole host of member companies including, GOAL, The Spencer Hotel, LEVERIS, AIB and Griffith College. You'll also find details of the many great events coming up for you and your colleagues over the coming weeks.

Don't forget, if your company has news or offers that you'd like us to consider for future issues of Dublin Chamber Weekly (or to promote via our Twitter page) please drop us a line. 

Enjoy this week's issue!

We've got a whole host of great events coming up over the coming weeks. Simply click on the banners below to find out more about each event and to book your place.

JCI Ireland is on the hunt for Ireland’s friendliest businesses. The 2020 JCI Ireland Friendly Business Awards aim to recognise businesses that go the extra mile and provide an outstanding service to both their customers and their community at large. Read more here.

Griffith College is taking applications for a number of free and 90% funded courses. The courses are all industry focused and an ideal way to grow and develop your skills in areas with strong employment demand, according to the College. The postgraduate diplomas are now enrolling, with a start date of 7th December. Further information is available here.

The Morgan Hotel has put together a great selection of gift options for Christmas, including great value overnight stays, afternoon tea or dinner in the 10 Fleet Street Restaurant and Bar. The Morgan Hotel gift voucher also offers well-deserved luxury and relaxation at any time of the year. You can purchase vouchers for a wide variety of personalised experiences here. For more information on all that the Morgan has to offer, click here.

What does the future hold for the financial sector? Where once fintech disruption was the most significant threat to banks’ centuries-long dominance, today, big tech’s push into financial services is giving the household names in finance something to think about. This ‘push’ has mostly manifested in the form of partnerships including the likes of Apple and Goldman Sachs and Google and Citi. Dublin-based bank tech company LEVERIS has put together a comprehensive guide exploring these partnerships and how the trend could shape the future of finance. Check out the guide here.

We were delighted to welcome Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment Leo Varadkar on Tuesday for a special business briefing and Q&A. Kindly sponsored by Fujitsu, the event saw the Tánaiste provide Dublin Chamber members wiith an overview of the main challenges - and opportunities - that he sees coming down the tracks for the Dublin business community in 2021. You can watch the session back here.

Sodexo has introduced Vital Spaces, a new approach for a people-centred workplace. Sodexo says that Vital Spaces has brought together the company’s diverse expertise to provide employers with a new approach to help them transform their workplaces through a connected, people-centric approach. Vital Spaces focuses on spaces and people and has been framed under five service pillars. You can find out more here. 

Give the gift of luxury this festive season with a Spencer Hotel Gift Card. Recipients can use the voucher to treat themselves to an overnight stay, dining experience or gym membership. To view the Spencer's full gift card menu, simply click here or email here for more information.

InterTradeIreland and Grant Thornton have teamed up to develop a trilogy of funding webinars aimed at providing SMEs with practical and relevant information regarding the funding market. The webinars also explore who is lending (and on what basis) and how SMEs can effectively get this support to grow their business. The final webinar on December 8th at 10am will explore the area of “alternate funders” and how they interact with other funders. Register here. 

Investec Europe has been named ‘Best FX provider in Ireland’ for the third year running by Global Finance magazine. Winners were judged on: transaction volume, market share, scope of global coverage, customer service, competitive pricing and innovative technologies. Find out more about why Investec won the award here. 

We are currently finalising the Dublin Chamber events programme for 2021. Our schedule next year will consist of a mix of virtual, hybrid and - when possible - in-person events, delivered via best in class virtual platforms to provide an immersive, interactive and engaging experience. 

A number of partnership opportunities are available across our programme of events. Our full Partnership Opportunities brochure can be viewed here. If you would like to know more about the opportunities available then please contact ciara@dublinchamber.ie.

Seeking inspiration for a domestic getaway in 2021? Take a look at the MHL Hotel Collection, a collection of 11 unique hotels in key city and resort locations throughout Ireland. From the bustling city centres of Dublin, Galway and Limerick, to picturesque and historic estates in Wicklow, each of the firm's hotels has its own distinct personality and charm. To explore the many options on offer, and discounts for those purchasing 20+ vouchers, please contact here.

Telecoms firm Roctel has announced plans to plant an an entire forest. The woodland, consisting of only native Irish species will be planted in Wicklow. The rollout will be done in phases over the next five years. The project aims to provide valuable resources, beneficial ecosystem services and a lasting legacy for future generations. Read more here. 

Early bird entries close tomorrow (Friday) for the GOAL Mile. Since launching in 1982, the initiative has seen tens of thousands of people run or walk a mile to raise funds for GOAL at Christmas. With group runs not possible this year due to Covid-19, GOAL are asking people to run or walk their own GOAL Mile (or Miles), wherever they safely can over the Christmas period, in an effort to help the world’s most vulnerable people. Read more here.

GeoDirectory hosted a webinar last week which explored the online shopping behaviours and attitudes of Irish consumers during the pandemic. Read more and watch the webinar back here.

How could the government backed Credit Guarantee Scheme help your company bounce back from the Covid pandemic? The experts in AIB have put together a handy article which outlines the main benefits offered by the scheme. Read more here.