By Nipurna Agrawal

The JCI Ireland National Convention was a wholesome experience for me and everyone who worked really hard towards it's a success.

My first year in JCI Ireland and the achievements already started adding up ☺️

Most Outstanding New member 2021, JCI Ireland Seven Steps Award, and the most important Best JCI Rise Project, Cork Tourist Guide!! 

I am glad that I got the opportunity to be upfront and working with the Convention Organizing Committee, which gave me a jist of organizing and managing big events like Award ceremonies. The long lasting Zoom meetings, working over weekends and arranging the logistics to make sure guests (JCI members) travelling from various JCI chapters like Scotland, Malta, UK and Finland, all the way to Cobh, have a comfortable stay throughout the Convention weekend. This work experience will help me in the long run to become a successful leader as I learnt important life-skills such as time management, planning, negotiation and event management.

On the very first evening we had the Friendly Business Awards ceremony wherein JCI awarded the local businesses who have gone above and beyond to survive in this COVID-19 pandemic. It also marked the opening of the JCI Ireland National Convention 2021. 

The next day started with the JCI official Debating Training followed by the JCI Trinations Debating Championship, in which I participated with a team of 2 other JCI members, representing JCI Ireland. 

Later we had the Spike Island Tour, wherein we went on a Boat Tour and explored the historic Spike Island. The evening finished with a Gala Dinner organized at the Commodore Hotel with many keynote speakers, special guests and other JCI members! And it was a great evening.

I am grateful to be part of this organization who helped in my many firsts.

My first time debating on stage infront of so many people with my wonderful team Jack and Madhu who were really cool about me being captain and I really enjoyed being part of the team.

It was my first time leading the JCI Rise Project, the Cork Tourist Guide. This project aims to offer holistic support to the community both local and the ones traveling to the County of Cork by aligning with the values of the JCI Rise Initiative and helping in ‘Sustaining and rebuilding economies by supporting small, local businesses.

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It was also my first time meeting the Mayor of County Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan, who was really kind in accepting our invitation for the JCI Friendly Business Awards and helped us with the launch the Cork Tourist Guide. 

Thanks to everyone who supported me throughout this journey and helped me in every step. Thanks to my wonderful team Anuj Agarwal, Niamh Dorgan, Pamela Hitimana, Mark Ryan and Carol Ho ???????? who motivated me to be the Chairwoman for the Cork Tourist Guide project. 

Special thanks to all the sponsors, Cork Chamber of Commerce, Faílte Ireland, Fota House and Cork Harbour, for our Tourist Guide! You really helped us in achieving our goal to launch the prime edition of the Tourist Guide!! ????