Are you ready to dive into a day packed with inspiration, learning, and celebration in one of the most historic and vibrant cities in the UK? The JCI UK National Convention 2024 is coming up, and we can’t wait to gather in beautiful Belfast on Saturday, 30th November for a day to remember!

Whether you’re a long-time JCI member or new to the community, this event promises to deliver something for everyone. From engaging debates to historic tours and a grand evening at Belfast Castle, this is an unmissable opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, reflect on the past year, and look ahead to an exciting future.

What to Expect: The Full Schedule

10:00 AM - Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The day will begin with our AGM at Clifton House. It’s an essential part of our annual calendar where we come together to discuss the achievements and challenges of the past year and look forward to what 2025 has in store. If you’ve never been to an AGM before, this is your chance to get involved and have a say in JCI’s future.
???? Location: Clifton House, 2 North Queen Street, Belfast BT15 1ES

12:00 PM - Clifton House Tour
Following the AGM, we’ll have the chance to explore Clifton House in more detail with a special guided tour. As Belfast’s former Poor House and oldest charitable institution, Clifton House offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s rich history.

12:45 - 1:30 PM - Lunch
A light lunch will be served at Clifton House—perfect to fuel up for the rest of the day’s activities.

1:30 - 3:00 PM - Free Time
This time is yours! You can explore the city of Belfast, take in some sights, or simply relax. You’ll also have the option to leave your bags with us if needed, so you can enjoy your time in the city without the hassle.

3:00 - 5:00 PM - Debating at Accidental Theatre
Next, we’ll head to Accidental Theatre for an exciting debating session. Held at the quirky and charming Book Bar, this is where minds will meet for a lively discussion on current topics. It’s the perfect place to sharpen your debating skills and hear fresh perspectives.

6:30 PM - Bus to Belfast Castle
As evening approaches, we’ll board a bus to the iconic Belfast Castle for the grand finale of the day.

7:00 PM - Buffet Dinner at Belfast Castle
Nestled in the hills, Belfast Castle offers a stunning backdrop for our evening gathering. Enjoy a delicious buffet dinner, celebrate the year’s successes, and mingle with fellow members. The night will also include an awards ceremony to recognize outstanding contributions and achievements within JCI.

9:30/10:00 PM - Return to Belfast City
After the festivities, buses will bring us back to the city centre.

10:00 PM - Drinks in the City
But the night doesn’t end there! For those who want to keep the energy going, we’ll head into the city for drinks and socializing—an excellent opportunity to connect with others in a more relaxed setting and explore Belfast’s vibrant nightlife.

Why You Should Attend

The JCI UK National Convention is more than just a day of events; it’s a celebration of what we’ve accomplished together as a community over the past year. It’s also a chance to look forward, make new connections, and gain fresh insights. Whether you’re passionate about business, leadership, or community action, this convention offers something that will inspire and motivate you.

And what better location than Belfast? With its rich history, lively culture, and friendly atmosphere, it’s the perfect backdrop for our National Convention.

Ready to Join Us?

Don’t miss out on this incredible learning, networking, and celebration day! Whether you’re attending the AGM, debating at Accidental Theatre, or enjoying the view from Belfast Castle, this event is set to be a highlight of the year.

We can’t wait to see you in Belfast on the 30th of November!

JCI Belfast’s William Redpath, Michael Lynch, Chris Dickison chatted with JCI UK National President James to share insights from their recent #CareforCalais project.

The project collected donations for the charity Care4Calais, recognising that the camps in Calais and in Dunkirk in northern France have a real sense of vulnerability in the current pandemic, since the living environment make things like social distancing and maintaining sanitary conditions very difficult.

The JCI Belfast team were blown away by the generosity of the local communities in gathering donations like tents, sanitisers, food, sleeping bags and camping equipment etc.

What inspired the Calais Covid Response Campaign?

Michael Lynch shared more about the inspiration for the project, through recognising that JCI is an organisation founded on the principle of wanting to have a positive impact in our respective communities and from an international perspective also.

How did you get started with the project?

Chris Dickison shared how they overcame the logistically challenges of getting their donations to Calais during the lockdown and how helpful the charity was in facilitating this. He also talked about the fantastic support they had from the local community, organisations and businesses not just in Belfast but across Northern Ireland.

 

Dropping off the donations

The team shared their experiences of drop off their donations and having more of an opportunity to see and hear stories from Nigel from #CareforCalais on why he’s so committed to helping those in the camps in Calais.

What’s next?

Michael shared how they wanted to continue supporting #CareforCalais in light of the ongoing need and the challenges that the charity faces as a result of the impact of COVID 19.

We are so excited for the JCI UK National Convention Belfast 2019 in just over 2 weeks time! We are also really looking forward to the workshop series across the weekend where we will be deep diving in to our theme of 'Breaking Barriers' with delegates, partners and stakeholders. One of our partners, The Welcome Organisation, Belfast, will be delivering a workshop that addresses the major issue of homelessness. The activity will be focussing on common misconceptions of homelessness, demographics that are most affected alongside positive efforts to provide relief via street outreach and at their amazing centre.

Who is looking forward to JCI UK National Convention #Belfast 2019 in 2 weeks time!!? ✨ We certainly are and cannot wait to welcome friends and guests to Belfast for some world famous hospitality! ???? One of our newest friends at JCI Belfast Local Chamber is PeacePlayers - Northern Ireland and we are thrilled that they will be delivering a workshop on overcoming prejudice in line with our social impact theme of 'Breaking Barriers'. ????‍????????????‍????

  Members William Redpath & Michael Harvey travelled up to The Hammer pitches on the Shankill Road on Thursday night to meet with Paul and James from North United as part of #onesmallstep. North United are a new football team which is attempting to provide a unique sporting experience for the young men of the Ardoyne, Oldpark, Shankill road and Monkstown. Michael had the initial idea of reaching out to the club after seeing a lot of content on social media, being from the area but it was great on arrival to receive such a warm welcome from the coaches and the players & hear about some of the work they are doing. Paul and James enjoyed telling us about some of the players who thought nothing about walking past peace walls and through different communities in their club tracksuit to participate in training or play on a Saturday.  It was especially interesting to hear how normal that these young men found that - perhaps contradicting what we often see presented in local media. They went on to explain how the vision of the club was ambitious on and off the pitch.  On the pitch they are competing well with over 60 men registered and 2 teams running out on a Saturday (2nds currently top of the league!), while off the pitch the badge and name itself ‘North United’ symbolise how the leadership team want to try and bring together what is traditionally a divided part of the city. We also listened with great interest about some of the positive mental health benefits that some of the young men experienced by being part of the team.  Mental health in working class parts of Belfast is an enormous issue and often one which there are obvious taboos around, particularly with young men – so it was awesome to hear that the coaches encouraged a positive conversation around the topic within the club, even getting hands on themselves when they needed to with the guys. We really enjoyed our visit to the club and were very grateful to get introduced to Paul and James before training.  JCI Belfast are contributing to the #onesmallstep campaign which attempts to encourage, highlight and challenge conversations around peace building in Northern Ireland.  Once again it was great to see that there are so many organisations around our city which are flying under the radar when it comes to peace building and we are delighted to be able to highlight their amazing work. JCI Belfast is a leadership organisation for young people which provides young people aged 18 – 40 with opportunities to develop those skills via our training, networking, community, business and international projects.  

Thanks to The Grand Opera House, Belfast for taking us on a fascinating tour of their beautiful theatre on Saturday 17th March.

Our tour guide - Jim, took us through the story of the theatre from when it opened in 1895 to the present day where it benefits from a well deserved international reputation.

Visits and tours of iconic businesses and organisations are just another way we provide opportunities for our members - If you would like to find out more then please get in touch or come to our next social at the Bullitt Hotel (6pm onwards) next Friday! (23rd).

  2018 JCI Belfast President, William Redpath and Vice President, Phil Hunter travelled to Doncaster for the JCI UK AGM. It was great hearing from the National Board and Local Presidents on the progress of JCI and the future plans and congratulations to the affiliation of the 2 new chambers JCI Derry and JCI Nottingham and to the future 2018 president Ben Hawley. Thanks to JCI Doncaster for hosting such an amazing event!! JCI Belfast have big plans before the end of the year so looking forward to collaboration and the upcoming projects. Want to hear how they got on? Have a listen to their video below [embed]https://www.facebook.com/1784671708416509/videos/1894297157453963/[/embed]

JCI UK is the organisation that develops, promotes and celebrates the achievements of young leaders across our nation and in our local communities. Meet Angela McCartney from JCI Belfast... Me? Really? That was my first thought when I was approached about joining JCI. I thought to myself, what could I, a single working mum of one (and a dog owner), with little to no spare time possibly contribute to an organisation like this? I was just me. Born and raised in East Belfast, going to work every day, but when I was asked the question, what do you do for a living? Well I work with 260 of the biggest companies in Northern Ireland on their Corporate Responsibility through Employer Supported Volunteering (sounds like a mouthful doesn’t it?). I pair business volunteers with charities to help them support their local community and disadvantaged areas, through practical volunteering. I didn’t realise that my links with charity and voluntary organisations would help JCI Belfast set up a partnership with Greggs, The Welcome Organisation and Simon Community, for Gregg’s Unsold Food Programme. A programme where the homeless people of Belfast are sure to have food in their stomachs at the end of the day. So yes I can contribute to JCI. Over the years I have worked with a number of private, public and third sector companies and I don’t think I have seen another organisation that offers such a range of training and development opportunities to help young people develop their skills, as I have with JCI. I am still the ‘newbie’ and can’t wait to get more involved in our plans for 2017/2018 but I will be attending my first big JCI event in November, the UK National Convention, and I look forward to seeing you all there. National President Michael Steel commented: "Angela is one of our brightest new stars within JCI Belfast & JCI UK. Her passion for her community is really inspiring and I'm really excited to see the impact she will make in the coming months. JCI in Northern Ireland is booming and the region is quickly becoming one of our fastest in the country. Now has never been a better time to get involved."

On the evening of March 3rd in Manchester, members and guests of Junior Chamber International (JCI) gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day with a powerful and inspiring panel event. Hosted by JCI’s Manchester chapter, the event brought together four outstanding professionals from across the region to share stories, spark conversations, and reflect on the importance of inclusion, representation, and using your voice to drive meaningful change.

JCI is a global not-for-profit organisation for young people aged 18 to 40. With over 150 chapters worldwide, JCI empowers young leaders to make a difference through personal development, community involvement, and global connections.

The Panel: Voices of Leadership and Change
The evening’s panel featured four dynamic speakers, each offering unique perspectives on professional growth, community impact, and equity in the workplace:
● Anyonita Green, Head of Marketing at Connexiant, opened the discussion by
reflecting on her 15-year journey in marketing and communications across industries.
"As a Black woman, my career has been shaped by both gender and race," she
shared. "I've often been the only one who looked like me in the room. I’ve had to fight to be heard and seen, while making sure I’m uplifting others along the way." Anyo made the important point that inclusion must be more than a buzzword, it had to involve action.

● Sarah Watkins, Business Director of Marketing & Digital at Michael Page, described her career shift from the Royal Northern College of Music to recruitment. “The rise of International Women’s Day over the last few years has been amazing to see,” she said. Sarah highlighted the increasing integration of ED&I into corporate careers: “Michael Page now has a career pathway dedicated to ED&I—something that simply didn’t exist five or ten years ago.” Her work advising clients on inclusive recruitment practices showcases the ripple effect that committed professionals can have.

● Mariam Hussein, Software Engineer at On The Beach and 2023 MYTA Rising Starwinner, brought raw honesty and humour to the panel.

"I didn't know what I wanted to do—my PhD plans fell through because of COVID," she explained. After teaching herself to code, Maryam found her path in tech and now advocates for accessibility in the industry. "Only 28% of tech roles in the UK are held by women. That's all roles—not just engineering. That’s why I work with Code First Girls—we’ve taught over 250,000 women to code." Mariam emphasised the power of everyday actions: "You don’t always need to shout it from the rooftops. Real progress often comes from small, honest conversations."

● Nick Shepherd, Business Development and Partnerships Manager at the GM Business Growth Hub, brought a regional lens to the conversation. He shared his commitment to inclusive economic development: “We’ve tailored our support to female-led, disability-led, and Black-led businesses, as well as communities in the most deprived wards across Greater Manchester.”

Nick challenged the audience to reflect deeply: “You can’t help others until you’re aware of your own biases. It starts with self-awareness.”

Conversations That Matter
The panel addressed the complexities of ED&I in today’s climate—particularly in light of shifting global attitudes. Anyo highlighted the performative nature of some corporate diversity initiatives: "In some cases, diversity policies felt like a token gesture. The real work is in embedding inclusion into the culture, not just ticking boxes." The panel shared thoughts on the recent backpedalling on ED&I commitments from major international companies, expressing that It was disheartening to see the reversal, especially when some organisations only embraced inclusion because of external pressure. They did observe that companies that truly believed in it still continued those policies.

A powerful moment came when the panel discussed navigating discomfort. Mariam shared, “I've been the only woman—or person of colour—in a room more times than I can count. But I’ve learned that small conversations create real change. Whether it’s talking to a colleague about menstrual leave or sharing my experience in tech, every interaction matters.”

Nick added, “Sometimes you have to be the person who stands up—who uses their privilege to speak for others who can’t yet. It’s about being a champion, even when it’s uncomfortable.”

Turning Insight Into Action

The panel closed with a call to reflect, act, and amplify others. "Our voice is our power," Anyo reminded the room. "We have to use it—for ourselves and for those coming next." As the session wrapped, attendees were encouraged to ask themselves: What conversations am I having? Who am I lifting up? How can I make space for others?

What’s Next at JCI Manchester?

JCI Manchester continues to offer opportunities for young professionals to develop skills, connect with peers, and make a positive impact in their communities. With events like panel discussions, workshops, socials, and charitable initiatives—including the Manchester Young Talent Awards—there’s something for everyone. Interested in joining? Follow us on Instagram or speak to a board member to get involved.

Thank you to Michael Page for providing the venue for this panel discussion and making this conversation possible.

One of the best aspects for me about JCI, is the fact that there are so many chambers all over the world - and gladly, with the drop of an email...those chambers love other members to visit and share good practice and experiences...

Hold on Michael you might be thinking...the world...that's thinking not just outside the box...but off the page! OK OK...I'm always one to think BIG...and those at JCI Southampton who know me...have long stopped rolling their eyes when I'm ranting on about going international.

So, let's stick with the UK then. Last weekend saw me hop on a plane from Southampton airport and fly to visit our friends at JCI Belfast. In little over an hour I had arrived and was gearing up for their event on the Friday night. JCI Belfast had organised a quiz night support their local charity, the Prince's Trust.

With the room buzzing and teams assembled...I made my way to our table where I hooked up with JCI UK National President, Emma Eastwood. Emma had flown over from Leeds earlier in the day. I had also dragged my cousin (who lives in Belfast) along with his friend, as they wanted to find out more about the event and the chamber. Our team was complete...we were excited, pumped up and...then the sport questions came. Ok, we didn't win, but we had a great time speaking to local members and I personally made a great business contact with an organisation based in Belfast.

Their President, Richard O'Neill, and Deputy, Gary Rocks (great name...almost as good as Mr Steel ‘Man of Steel') gave the typical Irish welcome and I personally had a blast. I mean, I flew to the other side of the UK and had no reservations about rocking (pun intended Gary) up - it's JCI UK - we're all within the UK family!

I stayed in Belfast for the weekend and Emma and I attended a Christmas (yes you read correct) party on Saturday night....a new one for me indeed.

Result: Business contacts made, UK networking, Irish cider, new friends gained and a very Happy Christmas!

Left to right:

JCI Southampton President, Michael Steel

JCI UK President, Emma Eastwood

JCI Belfast President, Richard O'Neill

One of the best aspects for me about JCI, is the fact that there are so many chambers all over the world - and gladly, with the drop of an email...those chambers love other members to visit and share good practice and experiences...

Hold on Michael you might be thinking...the world...that's thinking not just outside the box...but off the page! OK OK...I'm always one to think BIG...and those at JCI Southampton who know me...have long stopped rolling their eyes when I'm ranting on about going international.

So, let's stick with the UK then. Last weekend saw me hop on a plane from Southampton airport and fly to visit our friends at JCI Belfast. In little over an hour I had arrived and was gearing up for their event on the Friday night. JCI Belfast had organised a quiz night support their local charity, the Prince's Trust.

With the room buzzing and teams assembled...I made my way to our table where I hooked up with JCI UK National President, Emma Eastwood. Emma had flown over from Leeds earlier in the day. I had also dragged my cousin (who lives in Belfast) along with his friend, as they wanted to find out more about the event and the chamber. Our team was complete...we were excited, pumped up and...then the sport questions came. Ok, we didn't win, but we had a great time speaking to local members and I personally made a great business contact with an organisation based in Belfast.

Their President, Richard O'Neill, and Deputy, Gary Rocks (great name...almost as good as Mr Steel ‘Man of Steel') gave the typical Irish welcome and I personally had a blast. I mean, I flew to the other side of the UK and had no reservations about rocking (pun intended Gary) up - it's JCI UK - we're all within the UK family!

I stayed in Belfast for the weekend and Emma and I attended a Christmas (yes you read correct) party on Saturday night....a new one for me indeed.

Result: Business contacts made, UK networking, Irish cider, new friends gained and a very Happy Christmas!

Left to right:

JCI Southampton President, Michael Steel

JCI UK President, Emma Eastwood

JCI Belfast President, Richard O'Neill

 

JCI National Conference 2012: Belfast

 - the lectures, the awards, the Titanic and the treasure hunts!

Each year JCI UK hold a national conference to allow members from UK chambers to attend first-class business talks, take part in competitions, enjoy social events, catch up with old friends and make new ones too. This year, JCI Belfast took the reins to host what promised to be a fantastic event. And oh, what an event it was!

Friday 30 November saw 13 members from JCI Cambridge rise well before the sun to catch their early flight to Belfast. This was of course conducted very professionally as the group approached security wearing stick-on moustaches and carrying a Mr Men suitcase! The idea was to extend 'Movember' with 'Faux-ember' and raise money for charity whilst wearing moustaches over the course of the conference weekend. Who knew you could get through airport security wearing stick-on facial hair?!

Upon arrival, the group went to sample the best of Irish food with a well earnt fry-up at St George's Market restaurant. After refuelling on many types of bread, it was time to join in with the JCI activities. Friday afternoon kicked off with a welcome talk from JCI UK National President Solveig Malvik followed by a motivating presentation from Feargal McCormack, managing partner and founder of FPM chartered accountants. JCI Cambridge President Patrick McCrae then took to the stage for the public speaking competition while James Mitchell, Harriet Bastiani and Howard Felstead joined in with a mentoring session with mentees from The Prince's Trust.

Friday night was spent socialising to the music of a traditional Irish band at the Ulster Reform Club in the heart of the city. After a buffet and several drinks, Howard Felstead bravely stepped up and took part in the Extempore competition, getting through to the final round! The Extempore competition requires participants to take the stage and speak off-the-cuff about a random object chosen by the host. The night was spent meeting new faces, catching up with old friends and generally having a great time.

Despite being slightly delirious from lack of sleep the previous day, nine JCI Cambridge members formed a team and took part in an organised treasure hunt around Belfast on Saturday morning. Possibly one of the funniest JCI tasks to date, this mission saw JCI Cambridge squishing seven people into a phonebox and adopting all sorts of ridiculous poses around the city. And yes, there is much photographic evidence, do check out our facebook page if you'd like to see seven people on top of each other or breaking out into dance in the middle of the street.

Saturday afternoon saw JCI members get down to some 'serious business' as they gained an understanding of how to become an effective leader from Professor Jackie McCoy of Ulster University. JCI Cambridge favourite Derek Reilly then took his networking expertise to the next level and lectured on 'networking for leaders', which provided the next step from the 'sex and networking' presentation he gave to the Cambridge chamber earlier in the year. The debating competition then took place, with JCI Cambridge President Patrick McCrae forming part of of the southern debating team while Immediate Past President Jen Little sat on the judging panel for the contest.

After a long and hilarious day, everyone was looking forward to the Gala Dinner, hosted at the amazing Titanic Belfast. Held in the dining suite, where a replica of the dining room aboard the ship formed the stage for the event, it was truly a special evening. A fantastic three-course meal was followed by an elaborate awards ceremony where JCI Cambridge won a whole host of awards for its work this year.

These included:

Most outstanding member award - Harriet Bastiani

Most outstanding regular publication - Engage/Laura Wing

Employee mentoring scheme - certificate of merit

Debating competition - second place

Extempore - second place, Howard Felstead

Public speaking - runner up, Patrick McCrae

Best first timer - Ben Goddard

Belfast treasure hunt - first place

A perfect evening was completed when JCI Cambridge Immediate Past President and chamber founder Jen Little was awarded her JCI Senatorship, meaning she is now a JCI member for life. This was a really special moment for Jen and proud moment for JCI Cambridge.

Finally heading to bed around 5am, a few hours of sleep were had before gathering on Sunday morning for a spot of lunch at quirky haunt 'Made in Belfast' before beginning the journey home.

It really was a fantastic weekend meeting lots of great people, hearing some inspiring speakers, eating great food at luxurious venues, and most of all laughing from start to finish.

The focus now turns to JCI Cambridge as it prepares to hold its first ever Business Skills Day, Inspiration Day and Gala Dinner weekend at the end of January. To find out more and book your place, visit our events page now.

Harriet Bastiani, JCI Cambridge Community Director said: "The whole weekend was an amazing experience I will never forget, but Saturday in particular was a highlight for me.  Having had only a few hours sleep, JCI Cambridge used its "creativity" to win the treasure hunt by taking photos squished in a phone box, dancing in the street, playing "splat Howard" and creating a window display in Jaeger!  I now have a six pack after laughing so hard!  The award ceremony in the evening was a particularly special evening for me and I am still very much in shock at receiving my award.  However, even better than my award, was seeing Jen our immediate Past President being made a senator for her work in re-establishing JCI Cambridge- something so well deserved and so warmly received."

Finance Director Ben Goddard said he enjoyed learning about the JCI outside of Cambridge. "The National Conference was a great way of learning how JCI functions at a larger scale. I was fortunate enough to talk with Emma Eastwood at the very start of the event; she seemed to know absolutely everyone attending, which was a great advantage during the signature bingo, as she was able to introduce me to all the relevant people (and help me get their signatures!), which allowed me to win the Best First Time award."

 

To see more pictures please see our Facebook Page

Some of us at JCI Reading have recently returned from the annual JCI UK National Convention which was held in Belfast last weekend.

This was my first time attending a JCI UK National Convention and what a great experience it was!

The conference was held at the Hilton hotel in Belfast with a wide variety of events from training, business lectures, a treasure hunt around the city and, not to forget, the fantastic JCI Gala Dinner and Awards held in the recreation of the Titanic ballroom at the Titanic Belfast Museum.

The weekend started on Friday afternoon with registration, networking and catching up with fellow JCIers. I previously lived in Glasgow so it was great to catch up with my JCI Glasgow friends.

In the afternoon, I took part in a business mentoring session with young entrepreneurs from the Princes Trust. It was great to meet so many enthusiastic, like-minded young business people to share my experiences and offer advice of setting up a small business.

The evening entertainment was held at the Ulster reform club with traditional Irish music and food as well as an extempore competition (when you have to speak for two minutes about an object which you pick from a bag - much more difficult than it sounds!) Our very own Clare form JCI Reading participated in the competition and did a great job managing to talking about hair clips (!) for two minutes and making them sound interesting!

Our Saturday was filled with sightseeing, business and professional development lectures, networking as well as the all important JCI Gala Dinner and Awards. Everyone was dressed to the nines and had a fantastic evening…it’s not every Saturday night you get to attend a fantastic dinner and awards ceremony in a recreation of the Titanic ballroom!

Sunday was a time for recovering from the night before, some more sightseeing and shopping at the Christmas market next to the town hall. Then it was time to say our Goodbyes until we all get together at the next conference in Monaco in June.

As a first timer to the UK Convention, I had heard a lot beforehand about how good the conventions were. My expectations were high and JCI Belfast delivered with a fantastic JCI UK Convention in 2012! Well Done! I’m already thinking about the next UK convention in Leeds for November 2013….

 

Today our tour of JCI chambers around the UK means we find out about Geraldine McEvoy from JCI Belfast.

When did you join JCI and how have you enjoyed your membership so far?
I joined JCI Belfast in January 2010 when I started working as a trainee accountant in FPM Chartered Accountants in Belfast. I've really enjoyed being a member of JCI Belfast - I've gotten to know a lot of people through attending both the social and members events, and it's also been a great opportunity to develop my network of contacts.

What has been your highlight so far?
Being awarded the Best New Member at the 2011 President's Awards has definitely been the highlight of my membership so far. It's nice to know that the time and effort I put into JCI is recognised and appreciated. Being a part of the organising committee for the 2012 UK National Convention has also been great.

Is there anything you have done as a JCI member that you never would have thought possible before you joined?
I volunteered to act on the organising committee for the 2012 UK National Convention and I act as the Venue Co-ordinator. When I joined JCI I never imagined that I'd be given such a big responsibility and we've all put a lot of time and effort into organising the Convention. Although it was a little daunting at first it's all coming together really well and I'm looking forward to the Convention - it's shaping up to be a great weekend!

What are you hoping to do in JCI going forwards?
I've been actively involved in JCI Belfast since I joined and I'm hoping that this remains the case going forward. I'd definitely like to take up a position on the Board and who knows - maybe become President of my local chapter one day!

What advice would you give to those considering joining JCI?
Go for it! JCI is a fantastic organisation and it's helped me to develop my networking and public speaking skills. JCI gives it members a great opportunity to become involved in all kinds of events and projects that you may not become involved in otherwise! JCI also looks good on any CV - in the current economic climate employers are looking for people who are willing to give something back to the community and who are keen to boost both their own profile and their employers, joining JCI will show your employer that you're committed to your professional development and it will give you the essential skills to move forward in your career. Finally, once you've joined up make sure you make the most of your membership - volunteer to sit on one of the various committees within your local chapter, help to organise an event and attend the training sessions - the rewards are well worth the time and effort.

 

I had an opportunity to interview Richard O Neill who is a member of JCI Belfast. As you know JCI UK's National Convention is in Belfast 30 Nov - 2 Dec, read more about it here.

Can you tell us about your background?
I am a chartered accountant working in a commercial role in the beer industry in Ireland for Molson Coors. In 2001 I graduated from Queen's University Belfast with a 2:1 in Finance with German. I took a year out to run the university RAG society and then began work in London in the back office of an investment bank. After 4 years my wife and I moved back to Belfast, and since then I have progressed through a few similar positions with different companies to be where I am now. I am also the proud father of a 4 month old girl. Outside of work I enjoy music and football - and of course beer!

What is your role in JCI Belfast?
I am currently treasurer and acting website officer, but you do end up supporting across a range of tasks.

When did you join JCI?
I joined in summer 2009 (I think!), so coming up to 3 full years now.

What projects have you been involved in?
The biggest ones have been more recent - helping to get the new website ready for launch, and helping to organise the UK National Convention later in the year

What have you learn in JCI over the last year? Anything exciting and useful?
For me the major benefit has been taking part in the JCI board - it has helped me develop skills in planning, communicating and thinking innovatively that I have been able to apply to my professional life. Also the networking practice has been great, developing more confidence in this area. There have also been some interesting presentations as part of our Members Nights

If anyone is new to JCI Belfast what would you recommend them to do?
Just turn up at an event and introduce yourself! You'll find like-minded and interesting people to talk to, and as many opportunities for personal development as you are willing to take on.

Who is a leader you admire?
Very tough question - it's hard to really evaluate a leader that you haven't worked with directly. But based on achievement and longevity, I'll go with Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager.

How do you describe his values?
He has a clear vision of what his organisation stands for and has made this part of the culture of the club. He demands nothing but the best from his team so this vision can be realised, and has also put the resources in place to make success possible. For me, these are all values that I admire.

What's your hidden talent?
I'm a reasonable guitarist and singer, depending on your taste in music.

Anything else you would like to share with us?
Just a delicious pint of ice cold Coors Light!

Thank you Richard, I am looking forward to have an ice cold Coors Light with you in December!

 

JCI Belfast is proud to be hosting the 2012 JCI UK National Convention.  After winning the bid to host back in September 2011, the Conference Organising Committee has been working hard getting the venues finalised, sponsorship secured and most importantly developing a programme of events for everyone to enjoy.

So when is it?  

30 November - 2 December 2012

Where is it?

Belfast, Northern Ireland

• Conference Venue - Hilton Hotel
• Gala Dinner Venue - Titanic Belfast.

How do you get here?

By plane of course...!

• Belfast City Airport - conveniently located 10 minutes from the city centre
• Belfast International Airport - located just 30 minutes from the city centre with direct bus service available.

What do we have planned so far?  

• Friday night Irish themed social at one of Belfast's famous pubs. Guinness on tap, traditional Irish music and more!

• Saturday Keynote speaker - Dr Jackie McCoy, Director of Business Institute at University of Ulster, presenting on 'Leading with Emotional Intelligence'

• Saturday gala dinner - guests are invited to join us for what we have coined as being a "Titanic Experience" at Belfast's newest visitor's attraction and conference venue, Titanic Belfast, for a RMS Titanic White Star first class dining experience.

        

Why come to Belfast?  

To walk down Titanic Belfast's replica grand staircase of course...

The city of Belfast is thriving and many would say that 2012 is it's year. After a decade of investment and unprecedented growth, Belfast has established itself on the map not only in terms of tourism but also as a dynamic business destination, balancing modernity and innovation with a rich heritage and a thriving art scene.

Today, Belfast is packed with history, culture, exciting events, great food, super shopping... you might even spot a ship or two. You'll also find some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. Have a look around and learn more about the city we're so proud of.  We hope you join us!

So how do you book?  

Booking is now open, click here for more information

 

JCI Business Awards

The Business Awards is our flagship business program where we recognise the pivotal role small businesses play in our local community. We live in challenging times for small businesses and the aim of the Business Awards is to celebrate the value these businesses bring to our local communities every day.

The Business Awards Categories:

• Community Impact
• Customer Care
• Digital Experience
• Disability Access
• Eco-Friendliness

Each JCI chapter then puts forward a short list of local winners to be considered for JCI National Business Awards, which will take place at the JCI National Convention.

Conditions:
Must be between the ages of 18-40
If successful must be able to attend the JCI National Awards final.