March 16, 2026 — Douglas, Isle of Man
The Isle of Man will host its first Spring Interceltic Business Forum on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Villa Marina Colonnade Suite, bringing together business leaders from Celtic regions including the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, and Galicia to foster partnerships in economic development, technology, and green growth, according to the Isle of Man Government.
The event, hosted by Business Isle of Man, expanded to a larger venue after initial tickets sold out, reflecting strong demand for cross-Celtic collaboration.
Event Details
The full-day program from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. features keynote speeches, panel discussions, case studies, and networking on topics such as AI, regenerative tourism, maritime industries, sustainable finance, advanced manufacturing, and diaspora engagement. A highlight is a case study on The Albion Knitting Company‘s relocation from London to the Isle of Man, aligning with the island’s Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Strategy.
The evening includes an invite-only reception at Noa Market Hall featuring Manx produce and live music by the group Scran, with optional factory tours the following day, as reported by IT Brief UK.
Registration is available via Eventbrite.
Speakers and Program
Speakers include representatives from the Scottish Business Network, Cornwall Council, Tramshed Tech, Irish Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Lloyds Bank International. Additional sessions feature a welcome by Chief Minister Hon. Alf Cannan MHK and an AI adoption talk by Tomás Ó Síocháin of Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Key Quotes
“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… 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.”
— Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise
“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.”
— Chris Murphy, Founder & CEO, The Albion Knitting Company
Background
This forum follows previous events in Lorient, Cardiff, Galway, and Cornwall, as noted on the Interceltic Business Forum site. The Isle of Man, a UNESCO Biosphere, positions itself as a hub for innovation and sustainability. The announcement gained attention via a TechDay UK post on X.