March 14, 2026 — Douglas, Isle of Man The Isle of Man Government announced on March 12 that the Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time, bringing together business leaders, innovators and policymakers from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and Galicia on Thursday, April 16, 2026. The event, hosted by Business Isle of Man at the Villa Marina Colonnade Suite, aims to strengthen economic ties across Celtic regions.
The forum expanded to a larger venue after initial tickets sold out due to high demand, according to official sources. It features a full-day program of keynote speeches, panel discussions, case studies and networking, followed by an evening reception at Noa Market Hall.
Key Topics and Agenda
Focus areas include AI, regenerative tourism, maritime sectors, sustainable finance, advanced manufacturing and diaspora engagement. Sessions cover AI adoption, tourism with purpose, the value of nature, engineering showcases and maximizing Celtic diaspora, as detailed on the Eventbrite page.
Speakers include representatives from the Scottish Business Network, Cornwall Council, Tramshed Tech, the Irish Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Lloyds Bank International. A case study highlights Albion Knitting Company‘s relocation from London to the Isle of Man, aligned with the island’s Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Strategy, with factory tours planned for select delegates.
Official Reactions
“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.”
— Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise
“The Isle of Man has a long tradition of craftsmanship and entrepreneurialism, and that’s exactly why Albion chose to invest here… 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
Charles Kergaravat, founder of the 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.”
Background
The Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time follows events in Lorient, Cardiff, Galway and Cornwall, as noted by the Interceltic Forum. The Isle of Man, the world’s first whole-nation UNESCO Biosphere, positions itself as a hub for innovation. Registration is available via Eventbrite, where the full agenda can be viewed.
Additional coverage appears on Celtic Congress Cornwall, emphasizing the milestone for Celtic business collaboration.