Ciara is an award-winning entrepreneur from Cork, Ireland and is single mother to 8 year old twin boys.
Ciara worked in Australia, Ghana and USA before starting her software business, WeddingDates in 2008, at age 25. She’s been shortlisted as “Outstanding Entrepreneur in UK”, awarded “Business Woman of the Year” and “Accredited Thought Leader in International Hospitality Marketing” by various organisations. In 2018 she was a mentee of Vital Voices Global Ambassadors programme.
Her multi-award-winning company, WeddingDates was named Innovative Business of the Year 2019 at All Ireland Business Summit. CEO Ciara led expansion to the UK earning High Potential Start up Status with Enterprise Ireland. Offering a suite of products and services, the platform helps venues win business and improve revenues through customer relationship management and revenue reporting tools. With two consumer directory websites in the UK and Ireland, Ciara has built an extensive, multi-platform, social media community and WeddingDates is the top Wedding Directory site in Ireland. Each year, the company produces much supported and sought-after industry reports on wedding trends in the UK and Ireland.
A well-known hospitality Industry Leader, She is an evangelist for technology, young entrepreneurship and women in business. She is an expert in sales, marketing & PR and a regular contributor to industry events. She has spoken at prestigious conferences such as Hotel Insights Forum and the National Hotel Marketing Conference in London. She is a regular presence on regional and national media.
An avid lifelong learner, Ciara attained a Degree in Business Information Systems from University College Cork and a Post Graduate Diploma in International Selling from TU Dublin. An esteemed international hospitality trainer, working with clients such as Red Carnation, Marriott, Four Seasons, Radisson Blu and Best Western to deliver programmes and workshops on events strategy and online & social media marketing.
Ciara supports local business through mentorship with Cork Local Enterprise Office, the Small Firms Association and Rubicon PINC programmes. She regularly supports her alma mater with talks and workshops. A trained Facilitator and founding partner at LIFT Ireland whose focus is Leadership development for individuals and organisations internationally.
When not growing the business, she is often found hiking, cycling or sea swimming with her boys. She recently completed the 7 week online program Vital Voices Leadership Journey to develop her new social initiative - Boys4Better, encouraging allyship in young boys aged 7-14.
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