Top business people to address management conference

Top politicians and business people have been lined up for one of the most prestigious events in the Irish business calendar next week.

Key national issues will be debated at the Irish Management Institute annual conference which will feature Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Finance Minister Brian Cowen, Transport Minister Martin Cullen and former Aer Lingus chief, Willie Walsh.

IMI chief Dr Tom McCarthy said debates at the Wicklow event will concentrate on State infrastructure and whether Ireland is a country that is over-regulated.

“We’re looking forward to what promises to be a most interesting and stimulating event.

“The debate on infrastructure and regulation has all the ingredients for one of the liveliest debates of the year,” he said.

The focus of the 2005 conference at the Druids Glen Marriot Hotel on Thursday and Friday also will be about keeping Ireland in the top league of business locations.

International speakers will include Microsoft general manager, Joe Macri, Professor Martha Maznevski of the International Institute for Management Development, Lausanne, Josefine Van Zanten of Hewlett-Packard, Downing Street adviser Charles Leadbeater and Lucent chairman Patricia Russo.

A new development will include a range of breakout sessions with senior business figures and delegates.

Other speakers include Ireland rugby coach Eddie O’Sullivan, Eircom chief, Dr Phil Nolan, Competition Authority chairman, John Fingleton and C&C boss Maurice Pratt.