March 12, 2026 — Douglas, Isle of Man The Isle of Man Government announced that the island will Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Villa Marina. Organized by Business Isle of Man, the event will gather business leaders, innovators, and policymakers from the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, and Galicia to discuss opportunities in AI, regenerative tourism, maritime, sustainable finance, advanced manufacturing, and community engagement.
The forum has expanded to a larger venue, such as the Royal Albert Hall at the Villa Marina, due to strong demand after initial tickets sold out. Speakers include representatives from the Scottish Business Network, Cornwall Council, Tramshed Tech, the Irish Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Lloyds Bank International. The program features keynote addresses, panel discussions, case studies—including a spotlight on Albion Knitting Company‘s relocation to the island—and networking opportunities.
Official Statements
Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise, said:
“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.”
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Charles Kergaravat, founder of the Interceltic Business Forum, stated:
“We’re incredibly excited to bring the Interceltic Business Forum to the Isle of Man for the first time—not only to build deeper connections with another Celtic region, but to showcase the impressive innovation and momentum emerging from the island.”
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Kirree Gooberman, CEO of Business Isle of Man, added:
“The Isle of Man is known for its beautiful landscapes, strong Celtic heritage, and progressive approach to business. As the first whole nation UNESCO Biosphere, the island provides an excellent environment for testing new ideas and technologies.”
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Background and Coverage
This marks the Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time following events in Lorient, Cardiff, Galway, and Cornwall. Local outlets like Manx.News and IOM Today covered the announcement, emphasizing the island’s UNESCO Biosphere status and strengths in engineering. Biosphere.im highlighted sustainability themes.
The event aligns with the Isle of Man’s Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Strategy. Chris Murphy of Albion Knitting Company noted the island’s craftsmanship tradition.
Registration and Promotion
Free tickets with limited spaces are available via Eventbrite. Promotional posts appear on Facebook and Instagram from Locate Isle of Man and the Department for Enterprise.
For related Celtic events, see Celtic Congress Cornwall sitemap.