This week on the roundup: festivals, partnerships, summits, rankings, launches, member events, conferences, concepts, opportunities, commitment, rankings, speakers, designs, conviction, optimisation, scoreboards, results, findings, analysis, concerts, empowerment, details, solutions, and more! 

But first, here are the IPBN Highlights of the week: 

We reminded everyone of two events this week from IPBN Partner ART&TUR and IPBN member OCUBO. 

This coming weekend, IPBN Member OCUBO is curating The Lumina Festival da Luz 2025 in Cascais. Check the programme here.   

And this week is the ART&TUR International Tourism Film Festival, where IPBN General Manager Arnold Delville will be present tonight, Friday, September 12, at the awards ceremony. Click here for more information.

We announced two new partnerships to be signed with the UCP Business School in Porto and UC Business in Coimbra. More details will follow soon, but we can already share that on November 18, the IPBN and UCP Business School will host a mini-conference in Porto on Investment & Partnership Opportunities in the North of Portugal for Irish companies. Save the date! 

We also shared some exciting updates from our partners.  

Algarve Tech Hub Summit | November 6-7 | Bringing entrepreneurs, researchers, and changemakers from across the globe to the Algarve.  

Porto Business School | Ranked #1 in Portugal and #7 worldwide for its Executive Master in Tourism Management in the EDUNIVERSAL Best Masters Ranking 

Universidade Europeia | Together with Colibre Editions, the Tourism and Hospitality Department launched the book “Turismo 360 – Passado, Presente & Futuro: 60 Anos de Ensino de Turismo e Hospitalidade” on September 9 at 17h at the Sala de Atos, Quinta do Bom Nome, Lisbon. 

We announced our new networking MMM events in Lisbon (Sep 30), Coimbra (Oct 2) and the Algarve (Oct 7). Check all the details here where you can register. 

SAVE THE DATE: IPBN 4th edition Tourism conference! We are delighted to announce the 4th IPBN Annual Tourism Conference, taking place at TUMO Lisboa on Wednesday, October 22, from 9h to 13h, followed by a light lunch and Portuguese wine tasting! The theme, “Searching for Authentic Experience: Responding to a More Environmentally Conscious and Discerning Audience,” will allow us to explore the evolving expectations of Millennial and Gen Z travellers—and how tourism, hospitality, and related sectors must innovate in response. Check here for more details.  

And now...

IPBN Executive Partner Ardanis Joins Plain Concepts: Expanding Possibilities Together. They posted, "We’re excited to share some big news with our community - Ardanis is now part of the Plain Concepts family. With this partnership, we’re combining strengths in AI, bespoke software, process automation, and digital innovation." 

Executive Partner PwC Portugal – If you are looking for a new challenge, want to know more about our work or simply exchange ideas with our team, this is your opportunity. Follow us for more news and get ready to take the next step in your career - we're looking for people like you! Check the next initiatives here.

IPBN Partner Rita Marques and the Porto Business School were Ranked #1 in Portugal and #7 worldwide! "PBS’s Executive Master in Tourism Management stands out in the EDUNIVERSAL Best Masters Ranking. “This program proves our ambition: to shape leaders ready to reinvent experiences and drive the future of tourism with boldness and excellence.”, Rita Marques, Co-Director of the Program. This recognition reflects the commitment of those who teach, learn, and lead with purpose." Learn more here. 

And we are delighted to confirm Rita Marques will be a guest speaker at our upcoming Tourism Conference, which will take place on October 22 in Lisbon. Save the date! Details to be announced very soon. 

IPBN member Barbara Monohan says, "Disruption isn’t about being louder. It’s about being truer. When your brand speaks with conviction, it stops blending in. It earns trust. It attracts loyalty. It changes the rules. Rebels move markets by design, not volume." 

IPBN member Elaine Godley shared, "I bet you didn't know this on how to optimise your own health naturally? Thankfully, we are seeing an increase in integrative health strategies as we all learn more. My latest article explains." 

IPBN Partner Algarve STP posted, "Portugal ranks 16th among the 27 EU Member States in the European Innovation Scoreboard 2025. This result reflects a positive evolution in our ability to innovate, but also highlights the challenges that persist, especially in terms of technology transfer, regional collaboration, and knowledge valorisation. At Algarve STP, we see this ranking as more than a metric: it is an invitation to action. Strengthening the role of regions, such as the Algarve, is essential to consolidate a truly cohesive and competitive innovation ecosystem." Read more here. 

IPBN member Jo James shared, "As September begins, it’s a great time to look at any small changes you can make to achieve the best results by the end of the year. Read how one simple swap gave me the results I craved and see what you can swap! Enjoy!"

IPBN member Nessa Maguire is excited to speak at and attend the Inclusive Chips Forum, Designing the Difference, on the 16 of September at High Tech Campus Eindhoven. "I will be sharing findings from the European Chips Diversity Alliance’s first DEI report, launching in the coming weeks, shaped by voices across Europe’s chips ecosystem." Register at the link above. 

From IPBN member Cravo do Mato Business Marketing Services says, "AI is a great tool for automating repetitive tasks, analysing data, and monetizing resources. But...Produces generic content. And the public notices this difference. Being fast is not enough. Strategy, creativity, and execution make the difference. And that, only a team of humans can deliver."  

From IPBN member Fiona Disegni posted, "Dear Tech Fellows in Lisbon, you can't go "back to school" without a "Tech Fado Dinner". September 17th and the SBC Summit, the leading Gaming conference, is happening at the same time. It’s a unique opportunity to meet the whole world at our very exclusive table. Not a typical networking dinner, it’s a unique celebration of Boldness, Innovation, Heritage and Entrepreneurship. 20 seats only. Book yours before it's too late!" 

From IPBN Partner Joao Pinto, Dean at Catolica Porto Business School is excited to welcome the new undergraduate students in Economics, Management, and the Double Degree in Law and Management to Católica Porto Business School! "I hope the three days of Empower Week 2025 will remain an unforgettable experience for all of us."  

And the IPBN is about to sign a new Partnership with Catolica Porto Business School as mentioned in the Highlights of the week! 

Also, Católica Porto Business School has launched a new Executive Programme in AI Mastery for Business Leaders, developed in partnership with the AI Research Centre at Woxsen University. Check all the details here!

From IPBN member AGREEN shared that another rehabilitation is underway with AGREEN Safety Supervision and Coordination. Construction Site Safety. Find out more here.

IPBN member Kayleigh Ann Myles from Lawler Sustainability is very excited to be speaking at PwC’s Women in Sustainability event this September in Dublin. "Together with Alice Charles, Director for Cities, Planning & Design at Arup Ireland, we’ll be exploring how we can stay energised and committed to the big challenges we face from policy shifts to the urgent need for investment in decarbonisation. Thursday, 25 September 2025." 

IPBN member Otonomee posted, "Through our partnership with B1G1, a global movement dedicated to creating a world full of giving, we are proud to contribute to meaningful change in communities around the globe. Just last month, our team made 2,400 positive impacts, with 2250 of those focused on providing safe drinking water to families in Cambodia. We are proud to drive a lasting global change, whether we make a small or big contribution." 

IPBN member Global Citizen Solutions revealed the world’s best countries for nomads in 2025. "The Digital Nomad Destinations 2025 Report provides a realistic overview into what life as a nomad looks like now. Drawing on data from 64 destinations, discover the trade-offs, the hidden costs, and the places where remote professionals genuinely thrive. From Spain’s ambitious Digital Nomad Visa to Romania’s speedy internet and Ecuador’s low-cost, quality living, the findings show digital mobility in motion."  

IPBN member IDEA Spaces, on September 20–21, 2025, will host 40 startup ecosystem leaders for the Portuguese edition of the Techstars Community Leader Academy! "In partnership with the 351 Portuguese Startup Association, we’ll dive into two days of co-creating strategies to strengthen our local communities, inspired by Techstars’ proven methodology, which has already made an impact in cities like Boulder and Atlanta." 

IPBN member Patrick FitzGerald says NativaLand goes from strength to strength. "This year some great production will be on show at the Santarem Agricultural Show in Portugal next week." 

IPBN member Padraig Kilgannon posted, "Barcelona is great any time of the year. Our team is delivering another full expo build using our CleanGreeenEco systems, BeMatrix as always for the structures, Modular flooring (which needs no carpet or tape), and is 100% reusable and flexfurn furniture. Lighting is low-energy LED and reusable prints, which are as clean and green as possible. Our goal is to get to zero waste at any event. Want to know more?" 

IPBN member Filipe Pinho Pereira shared, "Last week we had another great session at the Vibe Coding Club with Carlos Almeida. The most interesting was hearing Carlos share his practical experience delivering production-ready and commercially viable projects using Vibe Coding. At Vibe Coding Club | VCC, we are more motivated than ever to bring more events like this as we keep growing our community further." 

IPBN member Clear Strategy shared Industry Intel: Data & AI Engineer, Gargi Rajadnya's guide to building the right foundation for AI implementation. Looking for more insights, get in touch!

IPBN member Lionheart Business understands the transformative power of AI for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Here are five ways AI can be a game-changer for your business. At LBL, we are committed to guiding SMEs through the AI journey, ensuring these benefits align with your specific business goals. How are you currently exploring AI in your business? What challenges or opportunities have you identified? We would love to hear your thoughts and experiences.