2026 AGENDA

Stage 2: The Future of Hospitality

Tuesday 10th February

Morning Session

Hospitality & Tourism

10:30

PANEL:

The Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality

A deep dive into what trends in hospitality and tourism are facing us in 2026, why trends matter and which ones to maximise with.

Dee Laffan

Dee Laffan

Host

Ali Dunworth

food and drink journalist

Annie Dunne

Annie Dunne

The Art of Grate Food

Niamh Taylor

Business Development Manager for Ireland, Acrelec

Real Business: Real Stories

 11:30

STANDALONE SPEAKER:

Join Anthony as he chats with Dee Laffan about creating a food production company from the ground up, and The Commerical Power of Place: how businesses can use place-based thinking to shape brand, loyalty and experience, and how to use insights to stand out from the crowd.

 

Anthony O'Toole

Blas na hÉireann Producer Champion and founder of Fat Tomato

360-Degree Sustainability

 12:00

PANEL:

The Future of the Irish Pub

A deep dive into current trends effecting Irish pub culture.

Dee Laffan

Dee Laffan

Host

Tom Cleary

Tom Cleary

The Temple Bar & incoming chair of Licence Vintners Association

Fionnuala Carolan

Editor of Drinks Industry Ireland Magazine

Michael O'Donovan

Michael O'Donovan

The Castle Inn & President of Vintners Federation of Ireland

Afternoon Session

360-Degree Sustainability

 14:00

STANDALONE SPEAKER:

Upselling Irish Drinks in the Irish Hospitality Sector

Strengthening the Irish range of drinks in your hospitality venue isn’t just fulfilling market demand, it also enhances your food offering and can easily increase your turnover. In this presentation, Oisín Davis of Great Irish Beverages outlines different strategies around how this can be done.

Oisin Davis

Oisin Davis

Technology & Innovation

14:30

Panel:

New Technology Behind the Bar Counter

Exploring the new smart optics app and other technology behind the bar.

Dee Laffan

Dee Laffan

Host

Sam Gaber

Sam Gaber

Mixologiq

Adrian O'Sullivan

Adrian O'Sullivan

BarFlo

Ed Benn

Ed Benn

BarFlo

Hospitality & Tourism

 15:30

Panel:

The Irish food trend

Irish restaurants, chefs and food have hit the global stage with a bang in the past year, more than ever. It has been covered across social media platforms, print features and TV show. And with the GB & Ireland Michelin Guide Awards taking place yesterday in Dublin, we ask the question, why? And how can businesses maximise on it for potential growth.

Gililan Nelis

Gililan Nelis

Managing Editor, Business Post

Host By

Anna Haugh

Anna Haugh

Myrtle Restaurant London

Executive Head Chef Dan Hannigan

Angelina's Dublin

Wednesday 11th February

Morning Session

Technology & Innovation

10:30

Panel:

Launcing an AI experience in Ireland

 

Finance & Business Development

11:00

STANDALONE SPEAKER:

Future-Proofing Your Business

Key financial metrics every operator needs to track.

Hospitality & Toursim

11:30

PANEL:

Ireland 2030

Our panel of experts share insights on what might be coming down the line for Irish hospitality, food, drinks and tourism in the next 4 years and how to prepare for it.

Nicky Logue

Intercontinental Hotel

Michael Collins

TravelMedia.ie

Gary Anderson

The Boathouse Restaurant

Jason Kidd

Founder of Outcast Brands/Two Shores Rum

12:30

PANEL:

Key factors in ensuring your brand story’s success

How the relationship between public relations, media and hospitality is evolving into the future and what the key factors are to ensure your brand story’s success.

Dee Laffan

Dee Laffan

Host

 Vivienne Gleeson

Vivienne Gleeson

Heather Connolly

Builín Blasta

Cathy Curran

Cathy Curran

Afternoon Session

Technology & Innovation

14:00

PANEL:

Real Connections: Mastering Authentic Social Media for Hospitality

In a time where AI is making us doubt online content, explore how genuine storytelling, user-generated content, and meaningful engagement creates trust and builds lasting guest relationships on social media

Dee Laffan

Dee Laffan

Host

Elaine Burke

Elaine Burke

For Tech's Sake Podcast

Maggie McMenamin

Studio Host

Ciara Daly

Conquer Digital

360-Degree Sustainability

15:00

STANDALONE SPEAKER:

Decarbonisation of the Gas Network

Aaron Morris

Aaron Morris

Gas Networks Ireland

Technology & Innovation

15:30

STANDALONE SPEAKER:

Hospitality Reimagined: How AI is Shaping Guest Experience

AI is transforming every corner of hospitality, from guest experiences and personalisation to smarter operations and business growth. Here, we separate the hype from reality – practical AI tools you can use now.