Over 200 delegates will gather at the Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe next month for the National Hub Summit. This year’s Summit marks four years since it first began, alongside the fifth anniversary of Connected Hubs itself.
This invite only event will include International and Irish speakers, hub teams, representative bodies, state agencies and government departments. Discussions will centre on the development of the National Hub Network, the future of work, knowledge sharing, networking and developing best practice.
An onsite Showcase Hub is among the additions planned for this year’s event as well as an innovative Silent Stage, where delegates can opt to tune into additional talks facilitated by partners, exhibitors and hub experts.
Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission, said, “Connected Hubs began as a WDC pilot programme in the Western Region. Five years on, it is a national network, and the Summit is the one day of the year when hub managers from every county sit in the same room to compare notes, share what is working and raise what is on their minds.”
“The world of work has changed significantly over those five years and hubs have an increasingly important role in supporting our towns and communities, giving people more choice about where they live and work and helping to sustain jobs locally.”
“The Summit brings that national network together, but more importantly, it should be a catalyst for what happens next, with new ideas, connections and actions that can make a difference in communities over the following 12 months.”
The National Hub Network is a Government of Ireland initiative under the Our Rural Future policy which is aimed at establishing and strategically expanding a network of interconnected Hubs throughout the country.
Its aim is to harness the full potential of Hubs to make a significant contribution to the revitalisation of Ireland’s towns and villages.
Connected Hubs, is a central driver of the network giving workers and entrepreneurs more freedom to choose where they work and live, creating a positive impact on personal and family lives, reinvigorating communities, promoting economic growth, and fostering opportunities for sustainable development.
Lyn Donnelly, Manager of Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre, said, “The Summit is a valuable opportunity for hub managers to connect, share experiences and learn from one another. Every hub is different, but many of the challenges and opportunities are shared, and there is huge value in being able to exchange ideas and practical solutions.”
“The relationships built at the Summit help to strengthen the wider hub network and it gives us an opportunity to connect and support each other throughout the year.”
The Connected Hubs programme is run by the Western Development Commission on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
