AI CON 2024
Ireland’s leading artificial intelligence-focused conference AI Con, taking place in Titanic Belfast on Thursday October3, will once again draw hundreds of experts, researchers and innovators together to explore the latest developments in AI and machine learning.
More than 400 technologists and business leaders will gather to hear from global experts in the artificial intelligence space, including representatives from the University College Dublin Innovation Academy, Beyond Reach Consulting Limited, Kainos, Axial3D, and ASOS.
Now in its sixth year, AI Con will feature a twin-track approach with two programmes running simultaneously: ‘AI Now’ and ‘AI Next’.
The conference will explore best practice for leveraging AI in a safe, transparent, and accountable way, and will also provide insights into the opportunities and challenges presented by a rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Dr. Lollie Mancey, programme director for innovation and entrepreneurship at University College Dublin’s Innovation Academy, will deliver the keynote address, drawing from her extensive experience in digital transformation, technology, and resilience.
Currently, Dr. Mancey is working on a TV project exploring technological innovations in Ireland that could shape society by 2050. This project aligns with her involvement in RTÉ's “Welcome to Futureville,” which envisions Athlone as a futuristic city, addressing challenges such as housing, transport, and the environment, and creating a virtual reality model of the town in 2050.
Other notable speakers include Patricia Shaw, CEO of Beyond Reach Consulting Limited; Rory Hanratty, chief technology officer at Axial3D; and Suzanne Brink, head of AI ethics and governance at Kainos.
William Hamill, head of engineering in digital services at Kainos, will chair a panel discussion on creating an AI Avatar that can engage in a real-time dialogue with multiple participants.
AI Con 2024 will be hosted by Kainos, supported by Allstate, Invest NI, Matrix, Synechron, Belfast City Council and the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC). On Friday October 4, the AICC will host exclusive AI workshops at Ulster University, open to all AI Con 2024 conference attendees.
For further information or registration details, please visit: https://ai-con.ai/.
NIFDA DINNER
Ivan Ryan, regional managing director for Lidl Northern Ireland, will be the keynote speaker at the 28th Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) annual dinner, the largest gathering of the north’s food and drink processing industry, which takes place on Thursday October 3 in the Hilton Hotel, Belfast.
With 300 people expected to attend, the event, which is run in partnership with KPMG Ireland, is seen as an opportunity for food and drink leaders to come together to celebrate the industry, discuss challenges it faces and look to opportunities for growth.
NIFDA executive director Michael Bell OBE said: “This is a milestone for Lidl Northern Ireland, as it celebrates 25 years, and we are delighted to have Ivan as our guest speaker.
“In the face of well documented challenges, our industry continues to grow. NIFDA members are some of the most innovative, sustainable and forward-thinking companies globally and the dinner is an opportunity to share in these successes and of course enjoy some of the finest Northern Ireland food and drink.”
For more information on the 2024 NIFDA dinner and to buy tickets, visit https://nifda.co.uk/nifda-annual-dinner-2024/
BIG MARKETING MEET UP
Some of the biggest names in marketing will appear at ICC Belfast on November 14 at the Big Marketing Meet Up, day of learning and networking, which is designed to leave them passionate about upcoming projects or with a reignited fire for the industry to ensure they excel at their careers.
The 10-hour programme is filled with plenty of presentations from industry experts including best selling author and entrepreneur Seth Godin, who will speak on his upcoming book ‘This Is Strategy’, which all attendees will receive a free digital copy of.
Appearing via video link from his NYC studio, Seth’s inspirational talk will delve into the importance of strategy and how a seemingly small action today can result in a monumental change tomorrow.
Emmy award-winning former CNN White House correspondent, Gina London will also be presenting at the event, as is Joe Glover, founder of the Marketing Meet Up.
Joe has managed to create a community of over 10,000 members, and will be urging marketers not to sweat the small stuff and will share why the craft of marketing is just as important as the tactics you use.
Organiser Treena Clarke has specifically curated an awe-inspiring list of speakers to make sure that guests will get the most out of the event, embracing networking opportunities as well as facilitating learning.
She said: “The success of our last meet-up showed the demand for a programme that provides key insights and discussions in a fun environment.
“Our speakers and attendees ensure that this will be an event created by marketing professionals, for marketing professionals. It’s time for marketers to take time out, learn, and energise.”
To find out more about the programme and to secure tickets visit www.bmmubelfast.com
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AWARDS
The 2024 Northern Ireland Social Enterprise Awards will take place at the Crowne Plaza, Shaws Bridge, Belfast on Friday November 8, compered by BBC NI radio presenter and SENI Ambassador Cate Conway.
Organised by Social Enterprise Northern Ireland (SENI), the awards, now in their 12th year and which have Go Succeed as headline sponsor, have rapidly become extremely popular and well attended event, with over 600 people from the private, public, and charitable sectors.
They recognise and celebrate excellence in the social enterprise sector and the outstanding achievements of those organisations, individuals and leaders delivering amazing impact in local communities.
SENI chief executive Colin Jess said: “This has become one of the most anticipated awards evenings of the year, with attendances growing year on year. We continue to be amazed by the level of networking that takes place on the evening so just because you haven’t entered or been short-listed, make sure to come along and enjoy the night with other likeminded individuals”.
More details and booking details at https://socialenterpriseni.org/events/ni-social-enterprise-awards-2024
HOSPITALITY EXCHANGE
Hospitality Exchange 2024 marks a significant milestone as the event enters its 25th year, offering an engaging and insightful experience with a focus on the themes shaping the future of the industry.
This year’s programme, on Tuesday and Wednesday October 15 & 16, will reflect on the journey since 1999, exploring the evolution of the north’s hospitality sector.
NIHF chief executive Janice Gault said: “Hospitality Exchange 2024 is not just an opportunity to reflect on our industry’s past successes but а critical forum for discussing its future. We have had great support from all elements of the industry and there is a real appetite to see the industry grow and contribute further to the future of Northern Ireland.
“The themes we’ve chosen this year reflect the challenges and opportunities ahead, particularly in areas like AI integration, sustainable practices and tourism’s evolving landscape.”
The conference (www.hospitalityexchange.org.uk) will culminate with a gala ball, hosted by Pamela Ballantine, offering a perfect blend of networking, celebration and entertainment.
CHAMBER FESTIVAL
More than 1,000 businesspeople will attend NI Chamber’s Festival of Business when it returns to St George’s Market on Wednesday September 18.
The annual event will feature an eclectic mix of networking, learning and interactive exhibitions, with 120 local companies preparing to showcase their work.
Magician, mentalist and television presenter Joel M will headline the main stage, helping attendees to hone their ability to influence and powers of persuasion.
Festival goers will also hear from Diageo’s Alan McAleenan, who will discuss the marketing strategy behind some of the world’s most iconic brands, including the launch of Guinness 0.0, as well as Nathan Anthony, the home cook turned internet sensation behind Bored of Lunch and social media expert Allan Wallace, who will share his top tips for developing an effective digital marketing strategy.
NI Chamber’s Festival of Businesses is delivered in partnership with headline sponsor Legacy Resources, as well as supporting sponsors Bayview Hotel, Belfast City Council, Go Succeed, NI Cyber Security Centre and U105.
The event is free to attend. To receive a complimentary visitor pass and plan your day, visit the NI Chamber website to register and find out more.
ULSTER HOCKEY LUNCH
Ulster Hockey will welcome Olympic athlete Sally Gunnell to Belfast on Friday September 20 as special guest and keynote speaker at its Club 1896 gala lunch.
Set to take place at Titanic Belfast, the event will feature a panel discussion between local business leaders and successful sportspeople, exploring how they have managed challenges throughout their career and obstacles they have overcome.
Panellists confirmed include director of women’s football at the Irish Football Association and chair of the Female Sports Forum Angela Platt; managing partner of Arthur Cox Lynsey Mallon; and international hockey star Eugene Magee.
Tickets for the lunch, which is supported by Arthur Cox, are available via Eventbrite (search Ulster Hockey Club 1896) or from Ulster Hockey.
OYSTERS, SCALLOPS AND LANGOUSTINES
Stephane Delourme, one of the world’s most renowned seafood chefs, is returning to the Causeway Coast on September 20 & 21, where he’ll be cooking up a feast as part of a two-day takeover at the award-winning boutique hotel Elephant Rock in Portrush.
The Frenchman (55) hails from Brittany but has lived in Cornwall for the past 25 years, where he worked for Rick Stein in the iconic Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, as head chef and group chef, before hanging up his apron last year to embark on his own gastronomic adventure.
Since March, Elephant Rock owner Charlotte Dixon has been collaborating with Stephane, food and drink producers, fishermen and storyteller Mark Rodgers to create two very different dining experiences.
To find out more about Stephane’s Gastronomic Adventure, visit elephantrockhotel.co.uk
LEGAL SEMINAR
Sumer Northern Ireland, in partnership with Edwards & Co. Solicitors, hosts its latest breakfast seminar entitled ‘Tax and Legal Updates for Charities’ on Tuesday September 24, from 8am to 10.30am in Belfast’s Merchant Hotel.
The event is specifically designed for professionals within the charity sector who are seeking clarity on the complex tax and legal issues that impact their organisations. The seminar will cover key topics, including VAT considerations for charities, the latest updates on employment taxes, and critical insights into current legal matters affecting the sector.
Attendees will benefit from the expert knowledge of seasoned professionals who are well-versed in the nuances of charity law and taxation. The seminar not only promises to equip participants with valuable knowledge but also offers a unique opportunity for networking over a light breakfast.
Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged. To reserve a place, contact Linda Arbuthnot at linda.arbuthnot@sumerni.co.uk. For further information visit www.sumerni.co.uk
ASPECTS FESTIVAL
The annual Aspects Festival is set to take place from Wednesday September 25 to Sunday October 6, drawing writers, poets, and literature lovers to Bangor for a celebration of some of the best writing this island has to offer.
Organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, this year marks the 33rd edition of Aspects, making it the north’s longest-standing literature festival.
The 2024 programme presents a selection of writing events covering many diverse genres, including crime, songwriting, poetry, politics, memoir, nature writing and storytelling, featuring writers from all over Ireland as well as talented local writers.
This year’s line-up includes some very special events that will explore careers and lives in writing. Aspects is delighted to kick off the Festival with Bangor songwriter Foy Vance, who will discuss his favourite books, writing inspiration and stories from over three decades of honing his songwriting craft.
The poetry lover is in for a real treat this year with the renowned Michael Longley, Theo Dorgan, Paula Meehan, Victoria Kennefick, Emma McKervey and Mícheál McCann all reading from recent work.
Award winning writers Evelyn Conlon, Mary Costello and Andrew Hughes will discuss their latest books. As always, these events offer a chance to hear the writer read their own work, along with giving the audience a chance to ask questions they have always wanted to know.
The Festival’s workshop programme caters to a wide range of interests, including two new workshops - Storytelling and Ulster-Scots Poetry. There are also events that mix poetry, writing and music in Bangor’s Ghost and Four, a special event with Glenn Patterson and Anthony Toner and friends.
John Hume: The Full Picture, will be a unique evening at Bangor Castle with John Hume’s biographer and portrait artist Stephen Walker and Colin Davidson, where they will give revealing insights into the life of a political icon.
The full programme and tickets are available at www.aspectsfestival.com
CO3 LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Northern Ireland’s largest leadership summit returns on September 26 2024 at the La Mon Hotel.
The CO3 Leadership Summit will see over 250 senior leaders meet for the biggest networking and learning event for leaders of the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland.
World leading social entrepreneur and campaigner Josh Littlejohn will be making his return to CO3 after five years, and will examine how things have changed in that time and delegates will learn if John has continued to ‘pay it forward’.
Other speakers will include: Roisin Wood, Community Foundation NI; Lye Ogunsanya, Didean; Colin Catney, National Museums NI; Kate Beggs, The National Lottery Community Fund; Jane Trenaman, The Fundraising Leadership Assembly; and Aine Myler Charities Institute Ireland.
The Future of Funding panel will feature representative from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Halifax Foundation, Fermanagh House and the National Lottery.
BELFAST RESTAURANT WEEK
Belfast Restaurant Week, led by Belfast City’s three Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) - Belfast One, Destination CQ, and Linen Quarter BID - will return for 2024 from October 7-13.
Food establishments across the city are being encouraged to register to participate in the acclaimed event, now in its fifth year.
Whilst in previous years, the event’s format has focused on value, this year the celebration has evolved to allow hospitality venues to host creative experiences from food pairings to tasting menus to demonstrations and masterclasses.
In 2023, Belfast Restaurant Week saw 49 restaurants taking part, leading to an estimated £190,000 additional spend across the city centre.
For more information on Belfast Restaurant Week and upcoming offers visit belfastrestaurantweek.org. Hospitality businesses interested in participating should contact Lesley@theeventor.com
WINE TO DINE FOR
Beefsteak Club Wines has teamed up with award-winning chef Niall McKenna and his Waterman Restaurant in Belfast to host a special culinary experience for local wine enthusiasts and food lovers.
Distributed in Northern Ireland by Craigavon-based United Wines, Beefsteak Club is inspired by London’s dining clubs of the 18th century and offers a cracking range of quality wines from around the world, all perfect for pairing with your favourite food dishes – something guests will have an opportunity to experience at Waterman House on Saturday, October 12, 2024.
As part of Beefsteak Club’s ‘Wine to Dine For’ campaign, this exclusive ‘supper club’ style event will be hosted by Ciaran Meyler, wine manager at United Wines, who has enjoyed an outstanding career as a wine professional from server to seller.
Guests will receive a glass of wine on arrival, followed by an opportunity to indulge in four delicious small plates, each paired perfectly with a glass of Beefsteak Club wines.
Tickets for the ‘Wine to Dine For’ event are available now at just £55 per person and are expected to sell out quickly with only 80 seats available – so early reservations are recommended. To secure a place, tickets can be purchased at www.waterman.house/collections/events/products/beefsteak-club-wine-evening.
MENOPAUSE CONFERENCE
The inaugural Menopause NI Conference will take place on Friday October 18 in Belfast. Coinciding with World Menopause Day, it aims to bring together women and employers to understand and address the unique challenges faced by women experiencing menopause in the workplace.
The one-day event in the Clayton Hotel on Ormeau Avenue will serve as a platform for education, discussion, and collaboration, focusing on what women need from their employers during this pivotal life stage.
The event is being hosted by Siobhan Kearney, founder of Menopause NI, who has been working extensively with businesses in the north to create more awareness of the impact menopause can have on women in the workplace.
She has carried out research into women’s experiences of menopause in Northern Ireland and created the first Menopause Manifesto highlighting what support women need when they are experiencing menopause symptoms.
Siobhan will also be joined by GP Dr Andrea Latimer, an occupational health doctor, primary care women’s health and menopause specialist. Her extensive experience with a focus on holistic care and women’s health in the workplace, positions her perfectly to address the challenges of menopause for both employers and employees.
Also speaking and delivering interactive workshops at the event will be Michelle McGinley from the Employers Federation, personal trainer and menopause coach Geraldine McAleenan, author and founder of Be Inspired to Be Belinda O’Neill and nutritionist Jane McClenaghan. Menopause advocate and BBC NI’s health correspondent Marie Louise Connolly will be facilitating the event.
For more information about the Menopause NI Conference and to register, visit www.menopauseni.com
SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS
The 2024 All-Ireland Sustainability Awards have been set for October 24 at the La Mon Hotel & Country Club in Belfast, where the best in sustainable innovation will be recognised.
Cork-based sustainable consultancy firm Climeaction has come on board as the main sponsor. Renowned for its cutting-edge solutions in reducing carbon footprints and enhancing environmental performance, Climeaction who is expanding its influence to the United States, continues to champion green initiatives across the Island of Ireland.
Its chief executive Paul Murphy said: " We are delighted to partner with the All-Ireland Sustainability Awards in recognising the critical role businesses play in driving sustainable growth. It’s an honour to celebrate those paving the way for a better future.”
Supported by NIE Networks, Danske Bank, Everun, AD Sustainability, Adler & Allan, Visit Belfast and media partner U105 to name but a few, the awards promise to be a landmark event in the sustainability calendar. More details at allirelandsustainability.com.
FOOD TO GO AWARDS
The first ever NI Food to Go Awards, in association with Henderson Foodservice, take place on November 19 at Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel, hosted by radio presenter Ibe Sesay.
As well as title sponsor, Henderson Foodservice, category sponsors are Smartpay, Riada NI, Towergate Insurance, Flipdish, Evolve HR, Pro-Active Accounting, Eat Local, Frylite, Coca Cola, Biopax and Zeus Packaging.
For more information visit https://www.foodtogoawards.co.uk/
BLUE LIGHT AWARDS
Emergency services personnel are set be recognised for their exceptional dedication and bravery at the inaugural Northern Ireland Blue Light Awards.
The awards, which are free to enter, will recognise and celebrate individuals and teams who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment in serving and protecting the people of Northern Ireland.
Hosted by Pamela Ballantine, the prestigious gala awards ceremony will take place on Thursday February 27 2025 at the Culloden Estate and Spa.
Graham Given and Jason Gillard, co-founders of CTS Connect Through Service and the NI Blue Light Awards, said: “Our emergency services personnel face formidable challenges daily, often risking their lives to ensure community safety. These awards serve as a testament to our profound gratitude for their unwavering commitment and professionalism. We are honoured to launch this initiative and anticipate it becoming an annual celebration.”
The Blue Light Awards will honour the vital statutory and voluntary services in the north who respond to keep the public safe, including the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, search & rescue practitioners, paramedics and ambulance services and police.
For further information about the Northern Ireland Blue Light Awards, including how to enter, ticket details, and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.bluelightsawards.com