As a keynote speaker and sponsor of the upcoming IPBN Innovation Conference taking place on June 17 at the Guinness Enterprise Center in Dublin, Tony Macken, Managing Director of IPBN member company Daylight.ie will bring decades of entrepreneurial insight and a passion for innovation to the stage. With over 40 years of diverse business experience, Tony’s current venture—a revolutionary lighting company—is both a testament to his adaptability and a powerful response to modern wellness needs in built environments.

Tony's journey into the lighting industry began with a pragmatic business decision. “I had the opportunity to acquire a small lighting company that was experiencing both financial and personal challenges,” he explains. To explore potential avenues for growth, he attended the International Lighting Expo in Hong Kong in 2018—an experience that would change the trajectory of his career. “It was there that I discovered the Daylight product, and I’ve been working closely with my Chinese partners ever since to develop and introduce innovative lighting solutions to the market.”

At the heart of Daylight.ie’s offering is a commitment to improving human wellness by addressing one simple but powerful truth: we now spend 90% of our waking hours indoors, often deprived of the natural light that regulates our bodies and minds. “This is quietly causing serious problems in our wellbeing and limiting our ability to perform at our best,” says Tony. “Daylight regulates our Circadian Rhythm. This is the future of wellness.”

Tony describes himself as service-oriented and solutions-focused, with strong interpersonal skills that have been honed over decades. “I enjoy networking and taking on new challenges—maybe something that comes from my rock-climbing days,” he jokes. “I’m adaptable and always ready to go the extra mile to make something happen or solve a problem.”

That drive has translated into some high-profile projects. One striking example of Daylight.ie’s impact can be seen at Acorn Lodge Nursing Home. “Their reception area lacked natural light, and the team was considering a major roof alteration to fix it,” he says. “Instead, they found us—and solved the problem for a fraction of the cost and with minimal disruption.”

Beyond the technical innovation, Tony is passionate about delivering a broader message. “In the ‘80s and ‘90s, we started to recognize the importance of gym memberships for employee wellness. Today, we’re more conscious of good nutrition, meditation, yoga, and quality sleep. But few people realize how much all of that depends on light. The quality of our consciousness during the day is directly tied to our sleep, which is governed by our Circadian Rhythm. And that rhythm is regulated by daylight.”

As Tony prepares to speak at the IPBN Innovation Conference, his message is clear: the future of wellness and productivity isn’t just about gadgets or gimmicks—it’s about light. Real, biologically meaningful light. And Daylight.ie is leading the charge.

Looking to shed some more light on Tony's message? Register today for the Dublin Innovation Conference to gain more powerful insights on this and many other topics from our top-notch keynote speakers, panelists, and members!