IMI celebrates 50 years in existence

The Irish Management Institute (IMI) yesterday celebrated its 50th anniversary with a function attended by the President, Mrs McAleese.

It also unveiled plans for a new conference facility on its site in Sandyford, Dublin. Work on the facility, which will include 50 bedrooms for onsite accommodation, is expected to begin within the next few weeks and will be completed by September 2003.

Mrs McAleese described the "truly remarkable" change experienced in the State in the past 50 years and particularly in the past decade. "The operating climates of business, industry and employment have been radically transformed, and a new energy drives this country in the pursuit of ambitious goals - full employment, full social inclusion, a leading-edge knowledge-based economy, peace on our own doorstep, a small country with a big respected voice in global affairs."

The President was also given the first copy of a book charting the institute's history, The Making of Managers, by Mr Tom Cox, former head of IMI membership.

"The IMI is dedicated to helping organisations re-consider their value propositions, develop leading-edge responses to change, and position themselves to manage the dynamics of an increasingly uncertain global market," said Mr Kieran McGowan, IMI president.