March 15, 2026 — Douglas, Isle of Man The Isle of Man government announced on March 12 that the island will host the Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Villa Marina Colonnade Suite, bringing together business leaders, innovators, and policymakers from the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, and Galicia to strengthen economic ties and explore opportunities in innovation and trade.
The event, hosted by Business Isle of Man, was expanded to a larger venue after initial tickets sold out, reflecting strong interest in cross-Celtic collaboration. Tickets are available via Eventbrite, with limited spots remaining for the full-day program from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by an invite-only evening reception.
Agenda and Speakers
The forum features keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking on topics including AI, regenerative tourism, maritime industries, sustainable finance, advanced manufacturing, and diaspora engagement. Highlights include a welcome by Isle of Man Chief Minister Hon. Alf Cannan MHK, sessions on AI adoption led by Tomás Ó Síocháin of Údarás na Gaeltachta, and a showcase of The Albion Knitting Company‘s relocation to the island. Other speakers represent Cornwall Council, Tramshed Tech, the Irish Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Lloyds Bank International.
Official Reactions
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.”
Chris Murphy, Founder and CEO of The Albion Knitting Company, added:
“It’s also a great opportunity to showcase what manufacturing on the Isle of Man can achieve today.”
Charles Kergaravat, Founder of the Interceltic Business Forum, expressed excitement: “We’re incredibly excited to bring the Interceltic Business Forum to the Isle of Man for the first time.”
Background
Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time follows previous events in Lorient, Cardiff, Galway, and Cornwall, as noted by Celtic Congress Cornwall and Biosphere Isle of Man. The gathering aligns with the island’s Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Strategy, spotlighting its UNESCO Biosphere status and strengths in sustainability and innovation.