Cross Border Sales Programme For Food Businesses

Programme to help food and drink businesses meet their cross border market potential

Small businesses in the food and drink sector are currently being recruited for a Food Cluster Programme. The programme, run by PLATO East Border Region (PLATO EBR), is seeking businesses interested in exporting, to join a Food Cluster of approximately 15 companies to work through a series of workshops and meetings.

Who is it for?

The programme is aimed at local businesses with potential to develop new sales opportunities in cross border markets (NI, UK, ROI). The programme is available to micro-businesses and SMEs.

The programme

The cluster programme will place a strong emphasis on innovation within the business and once completed participants will have a clear outlook of the direction their business should take. There will be a minimum of 8 half-day workshops which will be hosted in the East Border Region.

Topics to be covered may include:

  • differentiation in the marketplace/USP
  • branding and packaging
  • routes to market and Distribution
  • costing and pricing
  • marketing strategy
  • pitching to buyers

In addition, to the workshop element of the programme, each participant will get an opportunity to pitch at a customised “Meet the Buyer” event.

Participants will have access to inter group and cross border networking with around 15 additional Plato EBR groups. Members will also have access to Business Development Training.

Register your interest

Places are limited and applications will be assessed by a panel. Cost of the Food Cluster is £200. The programme will begin in early October 2014. To register or for further information, please contact Eilín Connolly in Plato EBR on: +353 4781975 or email: eilin.connolly@leo.monaghancoco.ie.