March 12, 2026 — Douglas, Isle of Man — The Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time, bringing together business leaders, innovators and policymakers from Celtic nations including the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and Galicia on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Villa Marina to strengthen economic connections, foster collaboration and explore commercial opportunities.
Hosted by Business Isle of Man, the event expanded to a larger venue following a sell-out of initial tickets, reflecting strong demand, as reported by the Isle of Man Government.
Event Details
The full-day program runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Villa Marina, Douglas (IM1 2HP), with an invite-only evening reception from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Noa Market Hall, according to the Eventbrite page. Free tickets are available online, where the full agenda is listed.
Local coverage highlights the Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time as a milestone for economic ties, with the venue shifted to the Royal Albert Hall at the Villa due to high interest.
Agenda and Speakers
Sessions cover AI adoption, regenerative tourism, maritime, sustainable finance, advanced manufacturing, community and diaspora engagement. Keynote speakers and panels feature representatives from the Scottish Business Network, Cornwall Council, Tramshed Tech, Irish Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Lloyds Bank International.
Highlights include a welcome by Hon. Alf Cannan MHK, Chief Minister; fireside chats on diaspora and AI; discussions on hybrid innovation and the value of nature with speakers like Matt Smith of Hometree and Graham Makepeace-Warner of Manx Wildlife Trust; and a showcase of The Albion Knitting Company, aligned with the Island’s Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Strategy.
Biosphere.im emphasizes sustainability themes, tying into the Isle of Man’s UNESCO Biosphere status.
Official Statements
Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise, stated:
“The Interceltic Business Forum is an important opportunity to bring together business and policy leaders from across the Celtic nations. Hosting the Spring Forum underlines the Isle of Man’s role as a connected and collaborative place to do business, as well as a dynamic environment that encourages innovation, ideas and creativity. We are pleased to welcome delegates to the Island and to support conversations that will help shape future partnerships and practical collaboration across the Celtic world.”
Chris Murphy, Founder & CEO at The Albion Knitting Company, added:
“The Isle of Man has a long tradition of craftsmanship and entrepreneurialism… It’s also a great opportunity to showcase what manufacturing on the Isle of Man can achieve today.”
The Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time underscores networking opportunities for Celtic business leaders, with post-event factory visits for select delegates.