This week on the roundup: conference news, operations, inspirations, tech leaders, Irish pubs, reshaping the future, inclusivity, unforgettable adventures, operations, employee engagement, subscriptions, connections, bespoke moments, residency, celebrations, distribution, worktrees, changemakers, and more!
But first, here are the IPBN Highlights of the week:
IPBN Board member Sharon Dehmel represented the IPBN at the Futura Innovation Conference this week in Limerick where the IPBN was a partner: “Thank you again for inviting me to the Futura Innovation Conference in Limerick. I thoroughly enjoyed the sessions I attended, particularly David Yakobovitch, the Pegasus panel discussion, Joana from the London School of Economics, and Kathleen Yang-Clayton’s session on emotional intelligence and AI. The quality of the speakers, the perspectives they shared, and the panel discussions were outstanding. I hope you and your team feel proud of the event you brought together”.
IPBN member Witflow shared their Marketing Maturity and AI Visibility Questionnaire in regards to Algarve Tourism 2026. This questionnaire is part of a study on the maturity of marketing operations within tourism companies in the Algarve, as well as their readiness to be discovered via search engines and artificial intelligence tools. It takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Responses will be analysed confidentially and presented in an aggregated format. There are no right or wrong answers; our goal is simply to understand the current reality of your company. Please do them a favor and fill it out. Every perspective helps!
Here are some of the first pictures of the 5th Annual Tourism Conference held yesterday, Thursday, October 22 at Well Vale do Lobo. Thank you once again to our host, our sponsor Gerry Fagan at DDM, and all our guest speakers and moderators. And finally, thank you again to the audience for their dedication and participation. What an inspiring morning filled with excitement, curiosity, and lots of new connections!
Finally, we announced two new events in November:
Nov 3 – Algarve: On Tuesday, 3 November, the IPBN in partnership with Witflow will bring together technology leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from both countries for a special half-day conference at Quinta do Lago Clubhouse, Algarve, taking place just ahead of Web Summit in Lisbon. Titled The Algarve Innovation Story: Irish Connections, Shared Ambitions, the event will spotlight the Irish business community’s contribution to the region’s growing innovation ecosystem, while exploring the opportunities for further collaboration between Ireland and Portugal. Register here.
Nov 17 – Lisbon: Join the IPBN on Tuesday, 17 November, from 9h30 to 11h at The Wake Lisboa, for a new edition of Conversation with a Leader. IPBN Board Member Rachael Milne will sit down with Fergal to explore his journey from Ireland to New York City and, ultimately, Lisbon, where he turned his experience behind the bar into a business inspired by the traditions of the Irish pub. Described as an “Irish publican, entrepreneur, and occasional actor” who traded the bright lights of NYC for the sunshine of Lisbon, Fergal knows a thing or two about making a place feel like home. Join us and register here.
And now...
IPBN Executive Partner Otonomee's CCO, Alan Gleeson, attended Pioneer by Fin alongside our founders, Hilary O'Shea and Aidan O'Shea, in San Francisco, joining CX leaders exploring how AI is reshaping the future of customer experience. As a lead sponsor of the event, it was a great opportunity to learn more about emerging AI capabilities and the opportunities this will create for businesses ready to embrace change. As Alan shares in our latest blog: "In short, our AI capabilities combined with our strong CX operational roots ensure we are well placed to thrive, and help our partners thrive, in the rapidly changing global business landscape." Read more about the key takeaways from Pioneer and what they mean for the future of CX below.
IPBN Executive Partner Konceptness is once again associated with WIRE Portugal's Mentoring Program, being present in its 3rd edition (2026/27), through the participation of our founder, Susan Cabeceiras, as a mentor. They posted, "We believe that mentoring is much more than transmitting experience: it is creating space for new perspectives, asking questions, sharing challenges, and helping to open paths. At Konceptness, we value this culture of collaboration and continuous learning because we believe that the development of people is also a way to build a stronger, more inclusive, and future-proof sector. Because the future is also built through the connections we create today."
IPBN member Hilton Vilamoura is proud to announce that it is the Winner of Portugal‘s Leading Family Resort 2026 at the World Travel Awards. A celebration of shared laughter, unforgettable adventures, and the little moments that make family holidays so special. To our wonderful team and every family who chooses to create memories with us, thank you for being part of this achievement.
IPBN member Croissant is on a mission to be the employee engagement tool every People Leader, HRBP, & Talent specialist will actually love. They shared, "We’ve rebuilt the employee engagement model to: Reduce the time from feedback to action (~96%), combine HR specialised knowledge w/ AI intelligence (people matter), operate entirely in the flow of work through corporate devices. Customers like TRISON are already actioning insights across all functions with epic results: -7 days from feedback to insights, -95.4% participation in cycle 1."
IPBN member Luis Alves from MiiE says, "The pharmacy is evolving. Dispensing medicine is no longer enough — it’s about creating experiences, building trust, and using technology to empower health. From subscriptions and wellness apps to e‑commerce and local partnerships, the pharmacy of the future doesn’t just treat illness — it monetizes care through connection, knowledge, and innovation. Every digital model is more than a business strategy; it’s a new way to serve people better. The transformation has begun — and it’s happening at the counter."
IPBN member Career Training Internships is attending the EfVET Conference 2026 in Brussels! "Our Founder and Director, Kathy O’Dwyer, will be attending the EfVET Conference from 21–23 October 2026. We’re looking forward to connecting with familiar faces, building new relationships, and exchanging ideas with professionals across the vocational education and training sector."
IPBN member Invoke Creative Agency shared, "Events are making a statement - Think immersive spaces, unexpected details, and design that goes beyond the traditional. Every element is becoming more considered, more creative, and more connected to the overall experience. From bold styling to bespoke moments, the focus is on creating events that look good, feel intentional, and stay with you long after the last guest leaves. A look at what’s defining events right now."
IPBN member Global Citizen Solutions asked, "What does it take to plan wealth, residency, and citizenship across several countries? Five more speakers will share their perspectives in Lisbon. Meet the latest voices joining the Wealth & Migration Summit. Together, they’ll share how families and investors are approaching residency, citizenship, and cross-border wealth planning in a changing global landscape. The Wealth & Migration Summit takes place in Lisbon on November 5–6, 2026. Discover the full program and secure your place."
IPBN Board member Rachael Milne shared, "A wonderful evening celebrating 40 years of Portugal in the EU, 20 years of European cultural collaboration through EUNIC, and Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the EU. As a Board Member of the Ireland Portugal Business Network (IPBN), I was delighted to attend a special concert at Lisbon's Teatro Tivoli BBVA featuring Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and the iconic Ode to Joy. A beautiful celebration of European unity, culture, and collaboration. My sincere thanks to Her Excellency Alma Ní Choigligh, Ambassador of Ireland to Portugal, and the Embassy of Ireland for the kind invitation and a memorable evening."
IPBN member Carlos Justino, Witflow Demand Orchestration posted, "Last night at UALG TEC CAMPUS we talked about giving before asking. Give, Don't Ask was a Growth Box conversation about what to offer people before asking for their details, and how to connect content, distribution, and follow-up so interest turns into conversations. The presentation took an evening. The conversations that started afterwards can last much longer."
IPBN member Pink Room was at droidcon Lisbon this year, and they enjoyed every bit of it. "Two days of talks and panels with the Android community. Our CTO, Bruno Correia, also took the stage to talk about git worktrees: how to cook your Android code with multiple pans. Thanks to the droidcon Lisbon team, the GDG community, and everyone who stopped to chat, we’ll be back!"
IPBN Business Partner Futura Innovation Conference (Limerick) shared a huge thank you to their incredible partners and sponsors! "As Futura Innovation Conference 2026 comes to a close, we want to recognize the organizations and communities that helped bring this event to life. Over three days, Limerick became a meeting place for innovators, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, researchers, and changemakers from around the world, connecting people, sharing ideas, and exploring what the future could look like across seven industry tracks. None of this would have been possible without the generosity, collaboration, and support of our partners and sponsors." And the IPBN was one of them!
