Killarney to host Network Ireland conference and awards 

AI gender bias and inequitable funding opportunities among the items for discussion

Tomás Hayes, Head of Local Enterprise, Kerry County Council, Amy O’Sullivan, National President of Network Ireland and Eilish O’Donoghue, Local Enterprise Office, Kerry County Council ahead of the Network Ireland National Conference and Businesswoman of the Year Awards which take place in Killarney next month.

Gender bias in AI will be in focus at Network Ireland’s National Conference and Businesswoman of the Year awards, which take place in the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney next month. 

The awards take place on September 25 and 26 with discussions led by women-led businesses and businesswomen. Network Ireland is an all-island membership organisation working to support the professional and personal development of women in Ireland.

The theme for this year’s conference is “Breaking Barriers” and will be hosted by Áine Kerr. A keynote address from mentalist Keith Barry will discuss the power of non-verbal communication; and the programme will include panel discussions on topics including AI and networking opportunities. Speakers include Amazon country manager for Ireland, Alison Dunn; and AIB Tralee manager and former Kerry footballer Stephen Stack.

The conference includes the annual Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year awards. Following regional awards held by each of the 17 branches, 104 finalists from across Ireland will compete for national titles. 

“Network Ireland is the voice of women in business in Ireland, and at our national conference this year we are using our collective voice to discuss and to breakdown the many barriers that are still facing women in business," said Amy O’Sullivan, Network Ireland national president.