UNION NEWS
Business Lunch goes from Strength to Strength - 590 in attendance.
Date : Friday, 2nd December 2016
Date : Friday, 2nd December 2016As many readers will know The Blackrock College Union organises over 30 events for past pupils globally. Included in these are class reunions, career talks and senior lunches to mention but a few.
However, this year saw the affirmation that without a doubt the biggest event annually in terms of attendance is now the Business Lunch. Held on the last Friday of November, this day out has become a favourite networking opportunity an for many past pupils also marks the start of the festive season.
This years event was held on November 25th and was hosted for the first time in the O'Reilly Hall in UCD.
The decision to move the lunch from the traditional home of Elm Park was a difficult one for the organisers. The growth of the event over the last few years coupled with a substantial increase in demand in 2016 left them with no choice but to move or end up disappointing large numbers of our fellow alumni.
Happily, the move was more than justified with nearly a hundred and ninety extra seats sold to bring the attendance to a record breaking 590 past pupils and their guests. The business lunch is now the biggest annual Union event and the attendees this year were very appreciative of the new venue, the excellent food and the high-profile speakers.
Following a brief but entertaining blessing by Fr Nash the day began with our guests enjoying their food and a catch up with fellow past pupils, guests and colleagues.
As the meal came to its natural conclusion the time for the business end of the lunch began. We were enlightened by the President of the Union, Brian OĆ¢Neill, who took the opportunity to update the audience on the progress that has been made in attracting new members and the ongoing efforts to engage with those not yet aware of the membership for free model that was begun in 2015. He also stressed the need for the Union to actively support the College in maintaining the traditions and ethos of the school as the impact of SPIRITAN clergy is reduced through greatly reduced numbers.
Next came the prestigious Union Business Person of the year award which this year was presented to Lochlann Quinn (1959) a highly successful businessman and philanthropist. His relaxed demeaner and willingness to speak frankly about how an educated luck and intuition were the major contributing factors to his success immediately endeared the man to those in attendance Overall his speech was humorous, informative and engaging.
The Guest speaker Michael Cawley the former Deputy CEO of Ryanair and a parent of two past pupils spoke in glowing terms about the College. Once again, his observational humour at the start was engaging and the summary of his experience in Ryanair enlightening.
After the lunch officially ended several hundred past pupils and guests remained on to catch up and network in the bar before moving on to a well-known hostelry in Booterstown.
Feedback both on the day and since the event has been overwhelmingly positive.
For images from the day follow this link
However, this year saw the affirmation that without a doubt the biggest event annually in terms of attendance is now the Business Lunch. Held on the last Friday of November, this day out has become a favourite networking opportunity an for many past pupils also marks the start of the festive season.
This years event was held on November 25th and was hosted for the first time in the O'Reilly Hall in UCD.
The decision to move the lunch from the traditional home of Elm Park was a difficult one for the organisers. The growth of the event over the last few years coupled with a substantial increase in demand in 2016 left them with no choice but to move or end up disappointing large numbers of our fellow alumni.
Happily, the move was more than justified with nearly a hundred and ninety extra seats sold to bring the attendance to a record breaking 590 past pupils and their guests. The business lunch is now the biggest annual Union event and the attendees this year were very appreciative of the new venue, the excellent food and the high-profile speakers.
Following a brief but entertaining blessing by Fr Nash the day began with our guests enjoying their food and a catch up with fellow past pupils, guests and colleagues.
As the meal came to its natural conclusion the time for the business end of the lunch began. We were enlightened by the President of the Union, Brian OĆ¢Neill, who took the opportunity to update the audience on the progress that has been made in attracting new members and the ongoing efforts to engage with those not yet aware of the membership for free model that was begun in 2015. He also stressed the need for the Union to actively support the College in maintaining the traditions and ethos of the school as the impact of SPIRITAN clergy is reduced through greatly reduced numbers.
Next came the prestigious Union Business Person of the year award which this year was presented to Lochlann Quinn (1959) a highly successful businessman and philanthropist. His relaxed demeaner and willingness to speak frankly about how an educated luck and intuition were the major contributing factors to his success immediately endeared the man to those in attendance Overall his speech was humorous, informative and engaging.
The Guest speaker Michael Cawley the former Deputy CEO of Ryanair and a parent of two past pupils spoke in glowing terms about the College. Once again, his observational humour at the start was engaging and the summary of his experience in Ryanair enlightening.
After the lunch officially ended several hundred past pupils and guests remained on to catch up and network in the bar before moving on to a well-known hostelry in Booterstown.
Feedback both on the day and since the event has been overwhelmingly positive.
For images from the day follow this link
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