| home | about us | 2010 programme | become a member & renewals | faq | contact us | links | Member Benefits Membership Benefits Tangible Benefits Training Benefits        Events Calendar of Events 2010 Past Event Reviews & Photos Image Gallery National Conference 2010        Further Information Member Listing Committee Members Sponsorship Charity                      You are here:  Home  >>  2010 Events  >>  Ups & Downs of running your own business        Our February Event The first in the world!! Java Republic opened their 23 000 sq foot purpose-built carbon-neutral coffee manufacturing facility and coffee house in Ballycoolin, Dublin 15, on 1 October 2008. Hot on the heels of the opening this new facility Java Republic was awarded the 2009 Small Firms Association Award for Environmental Sustainability and more latterly the 2009 GreenMe Business Award for work that communicates the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainable Development and Ethical Best Practice in business or the community.         So who is Java Republic? And who pioneered this? David McKernan is the founder of Java Republic Roasting Company: a vibrant, Irish coffee business packing punch and gaining huge ground in the Irish and International Coffee Industry with its innovation, expertise, unusual communicative style and in-your-face branding – and of course, excellent coffee. As Sales & Marketing Manager of Bewley’s, David had overseen the creation and launch of the Caffe La Scala brand. Always one for a challenge and passionate about quality, he began looking at roasting techniques and believed that the traditional high-volume roasting techniques being used by the industry were damaging the quality and flavour of espresso-based drinks. He believed that it was possible to create a roasting process that would retain the character and flavour of quality beans. This belief led to research that resulted in the development of a completely unique and patented handroasting process, a new company and an ethical approach to the purchase of quality beans. In ten years, David has started, grown, developed and guided his vision to a successful and prosperous business; all the while maintaining an openness in communication and ethics that is unheard of in the coffee industry. He has undoubtedly ruffled feathers, yet at the same time challenged other coffee companies to rethink their marketing even if it is a flattering form of plagiarism.        Ever-pushing the boundaries and in a continuing quest for quality, uniqueness, authenticity and commitment to do the best for the people who grow coffee, Java Republic continually develops new coffees to support origin countries. We are developing a range of Nicaraguan coffees which will increase trade with Nicaragua and support our organisation of choice: Coffee Kids, and of course satisfy the taste of coffee lovers.        Venue: The Raddison Hotel, Golden Lane Date: Wednesday 17th February 2010 Title: Ups & Downs of running your own business        Click here to book        Cost is 20 euro for non members and members are free                  Network Ireland also has branches in Clare, Cork, Galway, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Kildare, Mayo, South Tipperary and Waterford