Dublin: The New Hub for European Shared Services & Outsourcing Week

LONDON and DUBLIN, October 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Shared Services & Outsourcing Network (SSON) announced its 14^th Annual European Shared Services & Outsourcing Week will be moving to Ireland in 2014, taking place at the new Convention Centre Dublin in May.  (http://www.ssoweek.com)  

The European Shared Services & Outsourcing Week, which promotes information-sharing and networking between SS&O professionals from different functions, regions, verticals and maturity, is designed as a networking platform for practitioners, analyst firms and industry leaders.  

Having moved from cities including Manchester and Prague after its 2002 London debut, the event announced its migration as a fitting salute to Dublin, a long-time hub for the shared services industry - and home to SSCs for well-known brands Microsoft, Facebook, LinkedIn, Oakley and Whirlpool.  Recent news on the region's increasing appeal to global organisations include announcements on Ernst & Young's creation of 80 jobs throughout Ireland and US-based Stream Global Services expanding its technical support solutions team in Dublin.

However, the announcement reflects more than just a strategic location alignment - it also signifies the event's continuous programme evolution.

For 2014, SSON announced 2 key additions to the programme, which tie into the overarching theme of optimising business partnerships to drive performance throughout the whole value chain.  The first is the introduction of the Functional Fast Tracks, dedicated to HR, Procurement, Multi- Function and Finance & Accounting, and the second is a criteria-based Global Business Services stream.  Customer experience will be a major focal point of discussions.

"We are now in a people business and that is a big issue. The relationship we are having with the customer is much more important than it has ever been before," comments Nigel Kilpatrick, Chief Sales Officer, Tibco Nimbus during an interview at last year's SS&O Week.  "SSON is setting itself to be a real player in the shift, and this is where the real attraction comes from."

Although the programme is currently still in production, confirmed keynotes for the event already include Big Idea speakers Ken Segall, former Creative Director of Apple and David McCandless, Author of 'Information is Beautiful'.  Returning event sponsors feature WNS, Chazey Partners, Hansa Orga International, Blackline, Concur, OpenText and Proservartner.

Complete event information is available online at http://www.ssoweek.com. Applications for VIP and GBS passes to the conference are now being accepted; conference pass fees will apply.  Contact events@ssonetwork.com for enquiries.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kim Vigilia | SSON, 2nd Floor, 129 Wilton Road, LondonSW1V 1JZ | Tel: +44-20-7368-9510