Ibec Networks 2025: That's a wrap!
As we close the book on 2025, Ibec Networks celebrates a truly transformative year dedicated to connecting and equipping our members for future success. We successfully hosted an array of events, webinars, and initiatives—from critical, insightful policy discussions to high-level networking opportunities and practical, hands-on workshops. This year achieved unmatched member involvement, measurable strategic growth, and significant advancement of innovative ideas. Take a moment to explore our most memorable milestones and moments from 2025.
Informative and Interactive Online Learning
There has been many online webinars, forums and seminars, here we highlight some of our most popular. In January our For You to Share webinar series, provided valuable advice for your colleagues on effective communications.
Throughout the year, we continued to deliver essential knowledge, from making a referral to occupational health in February to the curation of our Autumn Series: The Culture Equation. a suite of 4 webinars now available to download. We delved into the world of CSRD with our session CSRD: From Strategy to Implementation. This session provided members with an overview of our toolkit and how it might be used as a resource for you and your teams.
We also hosted an economic and pay trends update in our webinar The Economic Context for Wage Negotiations. Annually held, this webinar provides a comprehensive overview of recent trends in the Irish labour market and Ibec's latest HR survey findings.
In-Person Events and Workshops
Beyond our digital portfolio, 2025 reintroduced a dynamic line-up of in-person events. These gatherings were vital, allowing members network and gain insights directly from industry experts.
We were delighted to host our Facilities Managers Network site visit to ESB’s Ardnacrusha Power Station, Ireland's first national hydroelectric station and look forward to more site visits in 2026.
We also held our annual Spring Roadshow in Dublin, Portlaoise, and Donegal throughout March and April, highlighting key discussions on HR succession planning, retirement and skills. Travelling across Ireland, Ibec’s strategic HR team explored the importance of HR succession planning whilst also joined by experts from Ibec’s ER division to navigate the retirement landscape.
2025 saw the creation of our series of Public Affairs Workshops catered to our charity members. These were designed to further develop advocacy skills by enhancing strategic campaigns, providing actionable insights and facilitating peer to peer networking. We look forward to taking this project into 2026. For more information, please contact nicole.harrison@ibec.ie
Advocacy driven by Experience Economy
Ibec’s Experience Economy witnessed many key wins in 2025, including:
- Tourism which was strategically integrated into the Department of Enterprise to align its management with the overarching economic strategy.
- Securing the necessary funding for a detailed analysis of future skills requirements across industries.
- The reduction of the VAT rate to 9% was implemented for food-led hospitality and hairdressing.
- The €1.5 billion surplus within the National Training Fund (NTF) was successfully unlocked for future investment.
- Investment in tourism promotion and new product development was significantly increased, targeting both overseas and domestic markets.
- Enhanced resources were directed to An Garda Síochána to improve street presence and address urban safety concerns.
- The waiver of street furniture fees was extended through dedicated funding, supporting outdoor hospitality.
Members at the Forefront - Engage
2025 saw a wide variety of submissions for our monthly e-zine, Engage. This e-zine is a key resource for industry insights, with 47 articles published on timely topics. Our most popular were:
- Ibec’s National Workplace Wellbeing Day
- Ibec Networks Spring Roadshow
- Key Changes in the New EU Packaging and Waste Regulation
- Financial literacy: what does good look like?
- EUDR is Coming - Is Your Business Prepared?
You can view all Engage articles on our insights page. Ibec Networks always welcome submissions from members, we strive for this e-zine to be by members, for members. If you would like to contribute to Engage in 2026, please reach out to aoife.ngo@ibec.ie
Of course – Thank You!
It goes without saying that our Networks members powered this year’s successes. Quite simply, none of these achievements would have taken off without you. Your active attendance and the crucial perspectives you shared are the bedrock of everything we accomplished. We are excited to build further on this for another year of engagement, collaboration, and contribution.
Nicole Harrison
Membership & Networks Executive
Ibec
