This week on the roundup: networking firsts, announcements, membership, giving thanks, contributions, beliefs, structured internships, powerful advice, promotions, purposes, purchases, innovation, complexity, vulnerability, recognition, workplace efforts, influence, celebrations, tourism, impact, and more!

But first, here are the IPBN highlights of the week

We shared pictures of another very successful networking event in the Algarve last week Friday, February 20 at fellow member TRIBULUM RESTAURANTE.

We reported a very informative and inspiring first event in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A huge thank you to all who attended, to our host, Alice Dowling at Glandore, to our Chair Geoffrey Graham and Vice Chair Pedro Teixeira, to speakers Richard McGuinness of FinTrU, Stefan Goor of Ardanis, Jorge Jardim Gonçalves of Multi Family Wealth, Denil Pinto of aicep Portugal Global, Nial Borthistle of Belfast City Council, and to IPBN Board members Sharon Dehmel and Sharon Farrell.

IPBN Chair Geoffrey Graham posted, “I would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who joined us for the IPBN’s first Belfast Roadshow on February 24— it was an occasion to remember for the network.

It was a real pleasure to see such strong engagement in the room for a morning dedicated to Doing Business in Portugal. We also saw how Irish businesses can internationalize, evolve and scale using Portugal as a platform. But this also works both ways: an increased co-operation between Irish and Portuguese businesses brings increased visibility and understanding, leading to increased opportunity. The quality of the discussion, the openness of the exchanges, and the willingness to explore new investment opportunities between the two jurisdictions in Ireland and Portugal made it a very productive session.” Read more here!

We announced the 7th edition of our flagship Sustainability Conference focusing on The Blue Economy, taking place on St Patrick’s Day, 17 March, in Lisbon at the UE Oriente Green Campus from 9h - 13h — you can read all about it in the press release here, where you can start registering and where you will find the full programme. Join us on March 17 and celebrate St. Patrick's Day with H.E. Alma Ní Choigligh, Ambassador of Ireland to Portugal.

We introduced our new member, Suzi Steinhofel, the creative force behind Designworks — a strategic design and communications studio with more than 30 years’ experience helping businesses stand out and get results! Based in the Algarve and working with clients locally and internationally, Suzi specialises in branding, graphic design, web design, advertising, and visual communications, combining strategic insight with distinctive creative execution to elevate brands and engage audiences.

And now...

Executive Partner PwC Portugal is looking for you! "On the 21st and 22nd of March, we opened the doors of our Matosinhos office for another PwC Services Portugal Recruitment Day. Through the joint venture between PwC Portugal and PwC Luxembourg, you will have the right opportunity to grow, contribute and lead the future."

IPBN member Writers’ Bloc shared, "In this episode of Around the Bloc, we’re joined by journalist and editor Marcela Kunova to discuss the growing crisis of trust in media. From Slovakia to the UK, Marcela explains how democracy, media freedom, and business models shape what we read — and what we believe. Subscribe to the podcast or our YT channel for biweekly episodes. If you enjoy please leave a rating/comment/share with a friend, it helps us out big time!"

IPBN Academic Partner Catolica Porto Business School is inviting partner organisations to host students for upcoming internship programmes, with submissions open until March 5th. "Opportunities include Summer Internships (minimum six weeks, July–August) for high-performing undergraduate students in Economics, Management and related fields, as well as Curricular Internships linked to Master’s Final Projects (four to six months, Sept 2026–Feb 2027) across areas such as Finance, Marketing, International Management, HR, Auditing, and more. Both formats include structured internship plans and formal supervision, offering companies access to motivated, high-calibre talent while contributing to academic and professional development. If your organisation is interested in hosting an intern, submit your proposal by March 5th or contact the team to learn more."

IPBN member Barbara Monohan posted, "For any business owner thinking of eventually selling their business this is an excellent opportunity to get some really powerful advice and information. I know Sean Hyland well and am certain this will be very valuable to attend."

IPBN Member Aurelien Huynen says, "I am currently in California, Palm Springs, and LA to promote Portugal as a destination to relocate to. During these sessions, we'll cover long-term visa options, speak about the property market in the key regions of Lisbon, Port,o and the Algarve, as well as touch on taxes US vs. PT."

IPBN member Renato Calvao posted, "We are at BTL - Better Tourism Lisbon Travel Market with SEE Countries. Visit us at Pavilion 1 to receive 10% off your first purchase and enter for a chance to win an exclusive experience!"

IPBN Business and Academic Partner Algarve STP shared, "On the 19th of February, we were present at INOVC+, in Coimbra, together with CRIA, to make known the Algarve's innovation ecosystem. Our Executive Director, Jessica Costa, highlighted the role of Algarve STP (Systems and Technology Partnership) as a regional network that articulates universities, municipalities and companies, creating conditions to foster innovation and the development of the technological sector in the region. In a meeting focused on the transfer of knowledge and technology, it was an opportunity to reinforce the importance of inter-regional cooperation, the sharing of good practices and networking as drivers of competitiveness."

IPBN Academic Partner Sofia Almeida says, "Today, education requires preparing people to work with emerging technologies, deal with Artificial Intelligence, adapt to non-linear careers, and make ethical decisions in an environment of increasing complexity. In the tourism and hospitality sector – intensive in people, experiences, and territories – these tensions become particularly visible. It was about this and other subjects that we talked today at the round table: The end of jobs for Life, organized by the European University at BTL ́2026."

IPBN member Dr. Shane Farrelly posted, "Across Europe, workforce health is increasingly intersecting with enterprise risk and sustainability oversight. Spain, France, and Germany expose a common governance vulnerability: false assurance. This article distils the board-level implications and practical questions emerging from February’s analysis. Where have you seen governance misalignment create unexpected exposure across jurisdictions?"

IPBN member Crowley Millar Solicitors LLP says, "Mackrell International Secures Band 1 Chambers Ranking for 14th Consecutive Year. Mackrell International (MI), the global legal network of which we are a proud member, has once again been ranked Band 1 in the Chambers Global Guide, marking its fourteenth consecutive year of independent recognition."

IPBN member IN2 Engineering shared, "We're proud to share that IN2 Engineering has been named one of Ireland's Best Workplaces 2026 in the Mid-Size category! Thank you to Great Place To Work Ireland for recognising the exceptional efforts our colleagues go to in supporting each other in the workplace."

IPBN member GRID Finance posted, "The National Finance Conference returns to Croke Park on 26th May 2026. Before we lock in speakers and themes, we’re asking senior leaders across financial services one simple question: what actually matters right now? Your input will directly influence the agenda we build alongside the Business Post. Complete the short survey, and you’ll also be entered into a draw for a luxury stay at Cahernane House Hotel, courtesy of Ireland’s Blue Book."

IPBN member Lee Bristow says, "AI is not a strategy (repeat that a few times to remind yourself and others) - it is, however, a great tool to accelerate one. This is the core topic we will be discussing at the CTO Craft Dublin Mixer on Thursday, 5 March. Bank of Ireland, Grand Canal Dock. Doors open 6.00 pm. Talk and discussion from 6.30 pm. Register now via CTO Craft here."

IPBN member Quinta do Lago wrote, "Investing in tourism: risks and opportunities. At this year’s BTL - Better Tourism Lisbon Travel Market, our CEO, Sean Moriarty, joined fellow industry leaders for the round table “Investing in tourism: risks and opportunities,” sharing Quinta do Lago’s perspective on long-term investment in the Algarve and the evolving realities of destination development."

IPBN Academic and Business Partner Innovation X Hub from PBS shared, "Is it possible to generate economic value and prosperity without compromising ecosystems? For a long time, we were told that we would have to choose sides. On February 26, at 6:00 pm, Porto Business School opens its doors to Impactalk "Business, Nature and People: A Shared Path". This session will not be just another one on environmental theory. Through the Africa Futures Centre, we will explore how real business models can be designed to protect what is vital, while uplifting local communities."