Ireland Portugal Business Network Podcast series

As part of the UCP North of Portugal Conference, Panel 2 explored investment & development potential in the Northern region of Portugal with Professor Ricardo Morais, Católica Porto Business School and José Carmo, Partner at Carmo & Cerqueira, SROC. The chat was moderated by John Paul Prior, Chair of the IPBN Porto.

As part of the UCP North of portugal conference, Panel 1 explores AI, Biotechnology, and Software Development with Pedro Rodrigues, Deputy Director, UCP School of Biotechnology, Felipe Ávila da Costa, Co-founder, CEO at Infraspeak, Telmo Fernandes, Site Lead FinTrU - Technologically Enabled Regulatory Solutions. The chat was moderated by Susan Cabeceiras, IPBN Board Member & Founder & Chair Konceptness.

With insights from leading voices in academia, business, and industry in the region, this event brought together perspectives on how to build partnerships that foster innovation, investment, and shared success between Ireland and Portugal, and connected with leaders shaping the future of innovation and investment in the North of Portugal. João Pinto, Dean of Católica Business School, kicked the conference off with his opening statement.

In today’s global economy, real networking goes far beyond swapping business cards. Now, it’s about building trust, cultivating genuine relationships, and connecting across industries, cultures, and borders.

Listen to this recording of a one-hour online IPBN Masterclass led by Jean Evans, The Networking Architect, who shared practical, proven strategies for creating authentic professional connections that lead to long-term growth and opportunity.

Drawing on her extensive experience helping professionals network with purpose and confidence, Jean explored how to approach every interaction with curiosity, generosity, and intention — whether you’re building your business in Ireland, Portugal, or beyond.

Don’t miss this chance to refine your networking skills and strengthen your professional presence in a supportive, cross-border community.

Panel 4 – A Conversation around Innovation & Adaptation & offering a real authentic experience from the wine industry with special guests and IPBN members:

• João Claro, BREW & GLU Glu Wine Festivals Coimbra
• Joerg Lewerenz, Quinta da Corrieira
• Petra Bakker, Vidavinho
• John Paul Prior, IPBN Board Member – Moderator

Panel 3 - A conversation around Innovation & Adaptation & real authentic experience in the Hospitality sector from IPBN members :

• Alex Hutkoff, historic stone house in Portugal’s Douro Valley
• Edmundo de Alarcão Ferreira, Operations Manager PURUS, a boutique hospitality group based in Coimbra
• Renato Calvão, CEO & Founder at SEE Countries - Travel Experience
• Ellis Dixon, IPBN Content & Marketing Manager – Moderator

Followed by a brief presentation from conference sponsor Swissquote Bank Europe.

Panel 2 –- Responses of the new trends from the business & Hospitality point of view with IPBN partner and special guest:

• Roberto Antunes , NEST Innovation Tourism Centre
• Francisco Dias, President ART&TUR International Tourism Film Festival & Editor-in-Chief of EJTHR - European Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Research
• Susan Cabeceiras, IPBN Board Member

Panel 1 - About Authentic Tourism - Managing a multigenerational & multicultural workforce, tech/environmental and cultural savvy with special guest speakers from IPBN Academic Partners:

• Rita Marques, Programme Director PBS & Champion of the Innovation Tourism Hub, Former Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce and Services
• Sofia Almeida,Tourism and Hospitality Coordinator, Universidade Europeia
• Sharon Dehmel, IPBN Board Member – Moderator

Geoffrey Graham, Chair of the IPBN introduces H.E.Alma Ní Choigligh. Ambassador of Ireland to Portugal, who welcomes everyone to the 4th Annual IPB TOurism COnference at TUMO Portugal at the Unicorn Factory in Lisbon,

This is followed by words of welcome from Philip Button of IPBN Executive Partner Brookes Property Group and Sponsor of the confernece.

The Ireland Portugal Business Network invited its members in Porto to a gathering at Carmo & Cerqueira's offices in Candal Park, Vila Nova de Gaia where we listened to this conversation between John Paul Prior, Chair of the IPBN Porto and IPBN member Silvia Correia from Award winning re.store. These two inspirational speakers shared their business partnership success story—an inspiring example of bilateral trade between Portugal and Ireland.

We invite you to have a listen!