Speakers

Jonathan Healy

Conference M.C.

Jonathan Healy has spent a quarter of a century working at the highest levels of Irish broadcasting, having worked extensively with Newstalk, Sky News, RTE and Cork’s RedFM. He established Healy Communications in 2017 with the express goal of helping businesses and improve their storytelling.

A graduate of law from University College Cork, Jonathan has conducted thousands of interviews with people from all walks of Irish life. A skilled inquisitor and proven cross-platform content creator, he has cultivated extensive contacts across politics, business and public relations throughout the country.

Peter Burke

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment

Peter Burke is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment since January 2025. He was born in Mullingar, Ireland and attended National University of Ireland, Galway where he studied Commerce. He is a Chartered Accountant by profession with ten years' experience in the private sector.

He has been a TD for the Longford–Westmeath constituency since 2016, and he was a member of Westmeath County Council from 2009 to 2016. Peter Burke was a frequent media commentator during the 32nd Dáil on issues including finance and taxation, drawing from his private sector experience as a Chartered Accountant.

Caroline Bocquel

Chief Executive Officer, Fáilte Ireland

Caroline Bocquel serves as Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland, bringing more than two decades of experience in strategic leadership, innovation, and sustainable growth across the public and NGO. Before joining Fáilte Ireland, Caroline was Chief Executive of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), where she led significant organisational transformation during a period of major industry change. Her career also includes senior leadership roles in financial management and governance, including Chief Financial Officer at GOAL and Director of Corporate Services at the Marine Institute.

Alice Mansergh

Chief Executive, Tourism Ireland

Alice Mansergh is Chief Executive at Tourism Ireland, the organisation with leadership responsibility for marketing the island of Ireland to overseas visitors. Collaborating with industry and government, Alice and the Tourism Ireland team are proud to grow the contribution overseas tourism makes to economies and communities across the island. Previously, Alice spent 19 years leading large-scale commercial organisations at Google.

As Managing Director, UK & Ireland Customer Solutions, she helped hundreds of thousands of businesses to digitise and succeed online. During a period in London, Alice led Google’s own consumer marketing, growing iconic brands like Google Chrome to market-leading positions.

Alice is passionate about tourism and has not let a year of her life go by without holidaying around the island of Ireland. From 2018 to 2023, she served on the board of Fáilte Ireland.

Elaine Harold

Principal Officer, Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE)

Elaine Harold is Head of Tourism Policy at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, leading the implementation of A New Era for Irish Tourism. She has significant experience leading largescale change across the Civil Service, having previously worked in the Departments of Social Protection, Foreign Affairs and the Courts Service. Her current focus is on advancing a resilient tourism policy framework that supports sustainable growth, balanced regional development and coordinated delivery across government, agencies and stakeholders.

Paddy Mahon

Chief Executive, Longford County Council | Chair, CCMA

Paddy Mahon is the Chief Executive of Longford County Council and serves as Chair of the County and City Management Association (CCMA). He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from NUI Galway.

An experienced local government leader, Paddy has been a strong advocate for collaborative approaches to community development, climate action, and housing. He has spoken widely about the role of local authorities in delivering effective public services and fostering regional economic growth, and has worked to build partnerships between communities, agencies, and public bodies to drive meaningful outcomes at a local level.

As Chair of the CCMA, Paddy leads the representative body for the chief executives of Ireland's county and city councils, playing a central role in shaping local government policy and practice at a national level.

Paul Keeley

Director of Regional Development, Fáilte Ireland

Paul is the Director of Regional Development with Fáilte Ireland and has recently served as its Interim CEO. Since joining the tourism development authority in 2004 Paul was actively involved in the development of the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East, Ireland's Hidden Heartlands and Dublin brands and experiences and the local DEDP programme that now activates destinations within all four regions. He has also led the development of the organisation's Industry Digitalisation Programme with Digital that Delivers and Web Accessibility supports being delivered to activity providers across the country. Paul has previously led the organisation's business development function, partnering with Tourism Ireland to build distribution for visitor experiences.

Prior to joining Fáilte Ireland, Paul worked with well-known businesses including Musgrave SuperValu Centra; Vodafone, Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline and Cantrell & Cochrane.

Simon Wright-Lakin

Vice President, Public Sector, UK&I, Mastercard

Simon Wright-Lakin is Vice President, Public Sector for Mastercard in the UK and Ireland. In this role he leads Mastercard's engagement with government and public sector organisations, working to apply the company's technology, data, and payment network capabilities to support digital transformation in public services.

Mastercard's public sector work spans areas including government payments, financial inclusion, digital identity, and smart city initiatives, with Simon playing a key role in developing partnerships with public bodies across the UK and Ireland.

Shane Tiernan

Chief Executive, Roscommon County Council | Chair, CCMA Economic Development Committee

Shane Tiernan is Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council since October 2022 and is responsible for advancing the physical, economic, social and cultural life in the county. His focus is on working with the 520 staff and 18 elected members in developing and overseeing the organisational structures and resources needed to deliver an extensive range of high quality services to the public. His overarching focus is driving local government service excellence to make county Roscommon a modern, innovative and climate friendly place, where its citizens and visitors are happy to work, live, visit and enjoy life!

Shane has held Senior Management positions with responsibility for many service divisions in Irish Local Government over the past 18 years. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager in multinational private sector organisations in a total career spanning over 36 years. Shane graduated in Engineering from Atlantic Technology University. He holds a Masters Degree in Management Practice from Trinity College Dublin as well as a Diploma in Management from the Irish Management Institute Dublin and is also a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy Programme for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.

Liz Halpin

Head of Development (Dublin), Fáilte Ireland

Liz joined Fáilte Ireland as Head of Dublin in October 2018, where she has responsibility for the regional tourism development strategy for Dublin city and county. Liz and her team work closely with local authorities, industry partners and stakeholders to develop shared regional plans, including the Dublin City DEDP, launched in July 2025, as well as forthcoming DEDPs for the mountains and the coast. Liz championed the development of Winter in Dublin and The Dublin Coastal Trail - flagship initiatives strengthening Dublin’s position as a best in class tourism destination.

Before joining Fáilte Ireland, Liz spent 20+ years in marketing, customer value management, and commercial roles across eircom, Vodafone, and Bord Gáis Energy.

Lisa Joy

Tourism Officer, Roscommon County Council

Lisa Joy is the current Tourism Officer with Roscommon County Council, bringing over 20 years of local authority experience across housing, regeneration, communications, and International Relations. As manager of the Visit Roscommon brand, Lisa has led impactful marketing campaigns that have strengthened Roscommon's visibility and appeal. Her work reflects a commitment to sustainable tourism growth, community collaboration, and showcasing Roscommon as a vibrant place to live, visit and explore.

Una Ní Chuinn

Town Regeneration Officer, Roscommon County Council

Una Ní Chuinn is the Town Regeneration Officer and Head of the Economic Development Section with Roscommon County Council. She has over 25 years' experience in local government, with a professional background across community development, tourism, regeneration, corporate services and information technology. Una holds a Master's degree in Rural Development, which informs her strong place-based and community-focused approach to regeneration. She is deeply committed to Roscommon and its long-term sustainable development, with a particular emphasis on creating vibrant, inclusive and economically resilient towns. In her current role, Una leads the strategic planning and delivery of town centre regeneration initiatives across the county. She works closely with Town Teams, community groups and key stakeholders to identify priorities, develop projects and guide them from early concept through to design and delivery. She has a strong track record in securing capital funding and supporting high-quality placemaking and collaborative regeneration throughout Roscommon.

Danny McCoy

Chief Executive, IBEC

Danny McCoy is Chief Executive Officer of Ibec since 2009. Ibec is Ireland's largest business representative organisation and the country's largest lobbying group. It has over 300 staff in nine locations and has 39 sectoral brands with substantial presence within the European Union through Ibec's Brussels office. He is a member of the Irish Tripartite Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF).

He is a Member of the Royal Irish Academy, a Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy, Honorary Fellow of the Irish Academy of Engineers, Adjunct Professor Trinity College Dublin Business School and Vice President of the Statistical & Social Inquiry Society of Ireland and Independent Non Executive Director of Iput Real Estate.

He has held lecturing posts at University College London, University of Oxford, Trinity College Dublin and Dublin City University. He has been senior economist at the Central Bank of Ireland and the Economic & Social Research Institute as well as being a consultant to the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Roisin Rigney

Commercial Manager, The Shed Distillery Visitor Experience, International Markets & Projects

Roisin is the commercial driving force behind The Shed Distillery Visitor Experience, growing visitor numbers to over 70,000 in 2025.

She is also project manager for major new business developments, including the establishment of the Drumshanbo Nature Reserve and its preservation programme and the restoration and repurposing of the town's former Methodist church into an imaginative and unique event space.

Roisin joined the family business full time in 2021 (part-time since 2017) after completing a business degree at Technological University Dublin, and has become a central part of the continued growth of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and The Shed brands, working across all areas of the operation, starting from the ground up.

With her hands-on approach and can-do attitude, Roisin is a natural leader and has inherited her parents' work ethic driven by a vision of partnership, employment and a thriving rural community, placing great value on the extraordinary 100-strong team behind the brands.

She plays a key role in international market development, travelling regularly to build relationships and support partners across the United States, China and Europe, and engage with trade and consumers alike.

She also represents the family business and its brands at international industry events, and is a regular spokesperson for the company in Irish media.

Tom Green

Director, Business Development, Mastercard Services

Thomas leads Mastercard's Services relationships with Government and Public Sector Clients in the UK and Ireland.

With a background in Data Analytics, Machine Learning and Consulting over the past 10 years, Thomas works with Central Government Departments, Regional Authorities, DMO's, Cities and Local Authorities to deliver impact by taking smarter decisions through the use of data.

In addition, Thomas's experience spans the Nordics and Baltics regions within the Public Sector for Mastercard as well as leading Mastercard's relationships with major Financial Services partners in Europe.

Gráinne Cornally

Head of Just Transition, Fáilte Ireland

Gráinne is Head of Just Transition within Fáilte Ireland, leading the delivery and closure phases of the EU JTF Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. This Scheme will see €68m invested in the wider Midlands region, supporting economic diversification and the repurposing of peatlands. A tourism career spanning both private and public sector it began in commercial sales within the hotel industry, driving revenue growth and building strategic partnerships. A desire to support the development and evolution of the destination led to a strategic transition into Fáilte Ireland.

Through Gráinne's initial role in Fáilte Ireland she was involved in actively contributing to the strategic direction and brand development of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, collaborating with stakeholders and industry to develop the destination in a sustainable manner, building the capability of the tourism businesses and elevating the destination to compete on a national and international stage.

Jenny De Saulles

Director of Sector Development, Fáilte Ireland

Jenny De Saulles is Director of Sector Development of Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority. Fáilte Ireland's strategic objective is to secure the economic well being of the tourism sector through the development of an innovative, sustainable and resilient industry.

The focus of the Sector Development directorate is to support the tourism sector through a range of national initiatives informed by economic and industry analysis. These include the development and implementation of programmes around climate action, labour supply and skills, business competitiveness and financial resilience, accommodation development and quality assurance.

Previously Head of Ireland's Ancient East, Jenny has worked with Fáilte Ireland for over 15 years in both national and regional roles working on Destination, Product, Industry and Commercial Development. Jenny has extensive FMCG experience, previously working with Nestlé across the globe in a variety of commercial roles as well as in private consultancy.

Marie Ward

Chief Executive, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

Marie was appointed Chief Executive of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in October 2019. Prior to this she was Director of Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism from 2015, before which she was South Eastern Group Chief Building Control Officer and Director of Capital and Estates at Down District Council.

Marie qualified as a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2001 and worked in the private sector before joining local government.

Marie has led and continues to lead on strategic projects which contribute to the economic, social and physical regeneration of local areas. These include for example the development of the Downshire Public Sector Campus, the Newry City Centre Regeneration Programme and the Newcastle Gateway to the Mournes.

Marie is currently Chair of the Society of Local Government Chief Executives (SOLACE) Northern Ireland Branch.

Lar Power

Chief Executive, Kilkenny County Council

A native of County Wexford, Lar Power graduated as a Civil Engineer from University College Dublin in 1991. In 2003, he graduated with an MBA from Dublin City University. Lar has spent the last 32 years working in various management roles in local authorities throughout Ireland. He is currently Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council having previously been Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council for a period of 5 years.

Professor Terry Stevens

Tourism Consultant and Author

Terry Stevens is a multi-award winning tourism consultant and author. He has worked on all aspects of tourism development in over 50 countries around the world. He curated and led the Co-operation Ireland learning Journey to Slovenia in 2025.

Alison McCullagh

Chief Executive, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council

Alison McCullagh took up post as Chief Executive of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council on 1 February 2020; from December 2014, she had been the Council's Director of Regeneration and Planning. Prior to this, Alison had been Omagh District Council's Head of Development, she has also worked in higher education and in the voluntary and community sector.

She is a graduate of Queen's University Belfast, the Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, Virginia, and also studied at Boston College.

Alison has led a number of strategic capital and partnership projects within the Council district and on a cross border basis and has a particular interest in community led regeneration and wider place shaping initiatives.

She is the current Co-Chair of the Northern Ireland Emergency Preparedness Group (NIEPG) and Vice Chair of Solace NI.

Martin Lydon

Chief Executive, Sligo County Council

Martin Lydon is a qualified accountant, with 30 years of experience in local government. He started his career in the London Borough of Southwark, before moving to Kent County Council where he worked in a number of roles including education and housing. In 2005 he joined Sligo County Council as a Financial / Management Accountant.

In 2008, Martin joined Roscommon County Council as Head of Finance. During his 13 years with the Council, he was also responsible for Community and Enterprise, Planning and Housing.

In August 2021, Martin was appointed as Chief Executive of Sligo County Council.

Kieran Comerford

Head of Economic Development and Enterprise, Carlow County Council

Kieran Comerford is the Head of Economic Development and Enterprise at Carlow County Council, overseeing the Local Enterprise Office (LEO), county-wide economic development programmes and EU-funded programmes. Since moving to the public sector in 2002, he has applied his previous experience in banking, IT, retail, and training to various strategic projects. He has mentored and created programmes for many start-ups and scaling businesses and has led several international initiatives in areas such as the creative industries, female entrepreneurship, food and drink businesses, digital technology, and urban planning.

Kieran is currently in his second term as Chair of the National Network of Local Enterprise Offices and sits on a number of National Committees. He has been a judge for the Irish Export Awards for over ten years. He serves as Chairperson of Carlow Early Years Training Services CLG and is a Director of both Carlow Community Enterprise Centres CLG and South East Innovation Company (Catalyst HQ) CLG.

His educational background includes a degree from the Quinn School of Business at UCD, a Higher Diploma in Management from SETU, and postgraduate qualifications in European Studies and Social Entrepreneurship.

Brendan Troy

Head of Economic and Tourism Development, Limerick City and County Council

Brendan Troy is Head of Economic and Tourism Development at Limerick City and County Council, where he leads the development and delivery of strategic initiatives to support economic growth, tourism development, and city and county revitalisation. He holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Henley Business School and brings extensive experience from UK and Irish Local Government in urban planning, strategic and project planning, programme and project management, and policy analysis.

In his role, he works closely with public and private stakeholders to advance investment, enterprise, tourism and place-based development across Limerick.

Tom Enright

Ryder Cup 2027 Project Director (Government of Ireland)

Tom was appointed as the Ryder Cup 2027 Project Director (Government of Ireland) in May 2025. He previously held the position of Chief Executive of Wexford County Council from 2014 to 2024 and prior to then worked as Director of Economic Development and Planning with Limerick City and County Council. Tom also worked with other local authorities and with private consultants. He has served as a Director of a number of Government agencies and companies and is a member of the Institute of Directors. Tom graduated in Civil Engineering from University College Cork and has holds a M.Sc. in Engineering from Cranfield University in the UK and a Masters in Business Administration from DCU.

Caitríona O'Connor

Royal Sites of Ireland Project Coordinator, Tipperary County Council

Caitríona is a conservation architect with experience working on complex heritage sites across Ireland, UK, Myanmar and Jordan. As part of her MSc in World Heritage conservation she has undertaken research on the nomination process for Bagan, Myanmar towards its inclusion on the World Heritage list and has worked for UNESCO Jordan field office delivering Italian funded conservation programmes at Petra World Heritage site.

She currently coordinates Ireland and Northern Irelands' joint World Heritage nomination for the Royal Sites of Ireland, a group of six archaeological sites located across the island which demonstrate the ceremonial nature of kingship during Ireland's Iron Age and early medieval period up to the arrival of Christianity in Ireland.

Paul Mockler

Head of Commercial Development, Fáilte Ireland

Paul heads up the commercial development division at Fáilte Ireland (The National Tourism Development Authority), the State Agency responsible for guiding and supporting the sustainable development of tourism in Ireland.

He leads the Fáilte Ireland teams responsible for Business Events (Meet in Ireland), Dublin Convention Bureau, Leisure Business Development, Golf Tourism (Golf in Ireland) and trade FAMs & Platforms. Paul also provides advocacy and leadership to Ireland's Regional Convention Bureau as well as international fora such as Convene4Climate, The Iceberg and Destinations International European Stewardship Council. Paul is a champion for the sustainable development of tourism and an advocate for the potential impact and legacy from hosting events for communities, destinations and sectors.

With over 25 years of tourism experience in the private and public sectors, having worked with companies right across the industry from aviation, visitor attractions, regional development, convention bureaux and a regional development agency prior to joining the leadership team of Fáilte Ireland and taking over a national role in 2013.

He lives in Co. Clare on the west coast of Ireland with his wife and 2 daughters. His passions apart from family life, include, golf, sport, laughter and great food & wine.

Edel McWeeney

Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Manager, The National Famine Way

Edel McWeeney Moran is Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Manager for the National Famine Way with the Irish Heritage Trust, working across six counties to strengthen partnerships, audience engagement, and the continued development of the trail as a nationally significant heritage and tourism initiative.

Her work focuses on communications, stakeholder engagement, education, and community collaboration, working with local authorities and heritage, tourism, and cultural partners to share the story of the National Famine Way.

She has over twenty-five years' experience working across education, heritage, cultural engagement, and the arts.

Kate Howard

Night-Time Economy Advisor, Galway

Kate Howard is Night-Time Economy Advisor for Galway, working to develop a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable evening economy. With a background in cultural management and production, she has delivered major programmes including Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture and TULCA Festival, specialising in festival development, public space activation and place-based cultural programming.

Her work focuses on activating neighbourhoods and strengthening the role of culture in the visitor economy. She has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and cross-sector collaboration, working with businesses, cultural organisations, communities and public bodies to deliver impactful, city-wide initiatives.

She holds a Master's in Arts Policy and Practice.

Mark Davies

Night-Time Economy Adviser for Drogheda, Louth County Council

Mark Davies is the Night-Time Economy Adviser for Drogheda, working with Louth County Council on Ireland's national night-time economy pilot. A project manager by trade, his work sits at the intersection of culture, community and how places come alive after dark.

Originally from Wales, his background spans local government, community safety and underground music culture. Before moving to Ireland in 2023, he worked with Cardiff Council, helping shape partnership approaches to the night-time economy, alongside a parallel life touring in alternative bands as a published songwriter.

In Drogheda, Mark's work focuses on building a more cultural, people-led vision for the night — one that leans into the town's strong working-class identity and its grassroots, independent spirit. Through the emerging Sound Town approach, Drogheda is positioning itself as Ireland's East Coast Alternative: a growing hub where music spills out, artists take risks, and an authentic, homegrown scene is beginning to take shape.

Ruairí Lehmann

Tourism Officer, Galway City Council

Ruairí Lehmann is the first tourism officer in Galway City Council starting his role in 2019. Having studied Tourism Marketing in DIT (TU Dublin) and worked in Heritage Island, Tourism Ireland, Clifden Station House Hotel, Ruairí has worked across the tourism industry.

He developed Galway City Council's first Tourism Strategy and worked alongside Fáilte Ireland in developing the DEDP for the City.

John O'Driscoll

General Manager, The National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park, Roscommon

John joined the Strokestown Park team in 1998 where he had responsibility for the ongoing restoration of the Walled Gardens. He has played a key part in further restoration projects – the Gentleman's Study/Darkroom, the Family Mausoleum, the Courtyard and Woodlands.

He has been involved with the 2022 development of new visitor centre, Vaulted Stables Event Space and the Reinterpretation of The National Famine Museum. John is now working with The Irish Heritage Trust to continue to bring Strokestown Park and the National Famine Museum to life for future generations.

Signe Jungersted

CEO and Founding Partner, Group NAO, Copenhagen

Signe Jungersted is CEO and founding partner in innovation and strategy agency Group NAO, based in Copenhagen.

Group NAO works with both big and small destinations across Europe and North America on strategy development, and on new agenda-setting collaboration projects, like AI Opener for Destinations and Time for DMOcracy. NAO also runs a major AI upskilling programme in Denmark, targeting smaller destinations and tourism businesses.

Signe is formerly Development Director of Wonderful Copenhagen – the destination organisation of Copenhagen, where she was responsible for the strategic shift towards "localhood" and a focus on balancing livability and visitability.

Signe holds a master's degree in Political science from Copenhagen University, an executive MBA in Creative Leadership from Steinbeis University, Berlin. She studied Mandarin in Shanghai and has since pursued management education at MIT Boston, Hyper Island Stockholm. Signe is on the Board of Museum Odense.

Valerie Stenson

Manager, Arigna Mining Experience

Valerie Stenson is Manager of the Arigna Mining Experience in Co. Roscommon with a combined fifteen years' experience of managing this community tourism initiative. Arigna Mining Experience was developed in 2003 after Ireland's last working coal mine closed in 1990 and the attraction is now a national & international tourist attraction. Valerie has a background in Management and Business Development. Valerie is a board member of two local community development companies in Co. Leitrim & Co. Roscommon.

Valerie worked with the Early Learning Centre (a high street retailer in Dublin) for 13 years where she gained extensive marketing experience.

Valerie was awarded a Bachelor of Nursing Science from St Angela's College Sligo and NUIG in 2012. Valerie has completed a number of training courses in tourism, training and community development and she is passionate about the development of rural tourism.

Edel Doran

Sligo Town's Night Time Economy Advisor

Having spent over a decade working in the public, private, charity and social enterprise sectors, Edel Doran currently serves as Sligo Town's Night Time Economy Advisor.

A native of the northwest, Edel cut her teeth as COO of First Fortnight, the mental health arts charity, overseeing its nationwide expansion from 2015 to 2021 and collaborating with a multitude of local and national groups throughout Ireland to create an integrated mental health and arts based network.

Edel has managed and produced events such as national and regional festivals, large scale and community based arts and culture events including Bealtaine Festival and Dublin By Night Festival.

Susan Cooney

Head of Tourism, Dublin City Council

Susan Cooney is Head of Tourism with Dublin City Council, where she leads the city's approach to tourism as a driver of inclusive economic development, placemaking and neighbourhood vitality. Her role focuses on improving the lived experience of residents while shaping a high-value, resilient visitor economy that supports local communities and the businesses that power Dublin's tourism sector.

Susan brings over ten years' experience delivering large-scale mixed-use, housing and regeneration programmes across the UK. Prior to joining Dublin City Council, she was Associate Director at M&G Real Estate, where she led residential asset management and sustainability strategies across a €1bn portfolio, launching and stabilising multiple mixed-use neighbourhoods and embedding ESG, social impact and governance frameworks across more than 3,000 homes and a diverse mix of commercial occupiers. Her work included close collaboration with local authorities, investors and policy stakeholders.

Susan is a graduate of University College Dublin and completed the University of Cambridge programme in Sustainable Real Estate. She is particularly interested in the intersection of cities, culture, community wellbeing and long-term economic resilience.

Fiona Collins

Cork's Night-Time Economy Advisor, Cork City Council

Fiona Collins is a dynamic events and culture professional with over 20 years of experience across event management, stakeholder engagement, communications, and strategic development.

Currently serving as Night-Time Economy Advisor with Cork City Council, she is leading a city-wide consultation process to develop a comprehensive NTE Action Plan for Cork — bringing together artists, cultural venues, hospitality, retailers, residents, and public bodies to shape a more vibrant and sustainable night-time city.

As Chair of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival since 2015, she has played a central role in one of Ireland's most iconic cultural events, securing stakeholder funding, strengthening sponsor relationships, and guiding the festival's long-term legacy in the city.

A confident public communicator and strategic leader, she also lectures in Event Management, Communications, and Public Relations at Munster Technological University.

She holds an MA in Public Relations and New Media and has worked across the public, cultural, and private sectors throughout her career.

Julie Calder-Potts

Teacher, Artisan Organic Food Producer, Developer, Grower

Operating and continually developing an Agritourism Destination in a heritage farm for the Highbank Experience Taste & Tour with her husband Rod for over 20 years.

Director of sales and marketing for Highbank Orchard & Distillery apple food and beverage products.

Representative Kilkenny Food Producers for Taste Kilkenny & Food Trails with Kilkenny Tourism Board.

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info@tourismconference2026.ie

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Speakers

JONATHAN HEALY

Peter Burke

Caroline Bocquel

Alice Mansergh

Elaine Harold

Paddy Mahon

Paul Keeley

Simon Wright-Lakin

Shane Tiernan

Liz Halpin

Lisa Joy

Una Ní Chuinn

Danny McCoy

Roisin Rigney

Tom Green

Gráinne Cornally

Jenny De Saulles

Marie Ward

Lar Power

Professor Terry Stevens

Alison McCullagh

Martin Lydon

Kieran Comerford

Brendan Troy

Tom Enright

Caitríona O'Connor

Paul Mockler

Edel McWeeney

Kate Howard

Mark Davies

Ruairí Lehmann

John O'Driscoll

Signe Jungersted

Valerie Stenson

Edel Doran

Susan Cooney

Fiona Collins

Julie Calder-Potts

info@tourismconference2026.ie

Jonathan Healy

Peter Burke

Caroline Bocquel

Alice Mansergh

Elaine Harold

Paddy Mahon

Paul Keeley

Simon Wright-Lakin

Shane Tiernan

Liz Halpin

Lisa Joy

Una Ní Chuinn

Danny McCoy

Roisin Rigney

Tom Green

Gráinne Cornally

Jenny De Saulles

Marie Ward

Lar Power

Professor Terry Stevens

Alison McCullagh

Martin Lydon

Kieran Comerford

Brendan Troy

Tom Enright

Caitríona O'Connor

Paul Mockler

Edel McWeeney

Kate Howard

Mark Davies

Ruairí Lehmann

John O'Driscoll

Signe Jungersted

Valerie Stenson

Edel Doran

Susan Cooney

Fiona Collins

Julie Calder-Potts