Business Leaders' Convention 2026
8th October; The Heritage Hotel, Killenard, Co. Laois
Agenda
07.45 - 08.45 Registration and Networking Breakfast
08.45 - 08.55 Welcome and Opening Remarks
08.55 - 09.40 Session 1: Ministerial Address & Fireside Conversation
An exploration of the alignment between public policy and industrial needs. This session will explore how state-led infrastructure investment and smart regulation can actively advance Ireland’s economic competitiveness by fostering a predictable, pro-business regulatory environment. Attendees will gain invaluable foresight into the government’s upcoming fiscal and structural priorities, setting a clear, authoritative trajectory for the day.
09.40 - 10.45 Session 2: Competitiveness & Growth
Navigating global market volatility to make Ireland the most competitive place to engineer, invest and grow
This session is grounded in the Engineering Industries Ireland strategy's first pillar, Competitiveness and Growth. A global economic update will be followed by an expert panel who will discuss how to navigate global market volatility, operational challenges, reducing regulatory burden and adapting to shifting international trade dynamics.
10.45 - 11.35 Session 3: Innovation & Digital Transformation
Unleash innovation through digital transformation
This session brings together prominent leaders alongside state agencies to explore practical pathways for integrating artificial intelligence, robotics, and data-centric systems into manufacturing. Centred on our strategy's pillar, Innovation and Digital Transformation, the keynote speaker and panel discussion will examine how to maximise fiscal and policy incentives for R&D, foster powerful industry-academia collaborations and embed a culture of continuous innovation and digitalisation within their operations.
11.35 - 11.55 Networking Break
11.55 - 12.50 Session 4: Sustainability & Infrastructure
Power growth through renewable energy, resilience and low-carbon leadership
This critical session focuses on our strategy's pillar, Sustainability and Innovation. Expert panellists will discuss strategies for securing long-term grid resilience, how to accelerate renewable energy deployment to stabilise industrial costs, and navigating complex climate and sustainability frameworks.
12.50 - 13.20 Session 5: Talent & Capability
The Lighthouse Effect: Illuminating the Future of Irish Engineering
Our closing keynote speaker is Míchéal Geraghty, VP of Operations EMEA at Coca-Cola Ballina. Having earned the prestigious World Economic Forum 'Lighthouse Factory' designation, his facility is a global pioneer in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. With this blueprint proven on Irish soil, it is now our responsibility as leaders to scale this innovation across Ireland's engineering ecosystem.
13.20 - 13.30 Closing Remarks
13.30 - 14.30 Networking Lunch