North West Services Summit

North West Services Summit 2026 Monday, 26 January 2026 | Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo

The North West Services Summit is a one-day business and retail conference bringing together leaders from business, retail, public services and community organisations to explore how technology, AL and collaboration can drive sustainable growth across the North West.  

This future-focused services summit combines expert insight with practical learning, covering digital transformation, people development, skills, culture and retail performance. Attendees will gain actionable strategies they can apply immediately within their organisations.

A Practical Conference for Business & Service Leaders

Designed for decision-makers, business owners and managers, the North West Services Summit focuses on real-world challenges facing services, retail and public sector organisations in 2026.

This is not a theory-led event. It is a practical business summit offering:

• Clear guidance on AI and technology for business
• Insight into retail and service trends for 2026
• Proven strategies for people development and performance
• Practical tools to support growth, efficiency and customer experience

Who Should Attend

• Retail business owners and managers
• Service-based businesses
• Public sector and community leaders
• Professionals responsible for digital transformation, training or performance
• Anyone navigating change in retail, services or customer-facing organisations

Conference Programme Overview

The Summit is structured to reflect the key priorities facing businesses and services today.

Morning Sessions: AI, Technology & Digital Transformation

The morning programme focuses on AI in business, retail technology, and understanding which digital investments deliver real value. Topics include:

• AI-powered social selling for retail and service businesses
• Avoiding common technology mistakes
• Identifying the tech trends that matter most
• Balancing digital transformation with human connection

Afternoon Sessions: People, Skills & Retail Performance

The afternoon shifts focus to people development, culture and execution, finishing with a high-impact retail workshop designed to support trading performance in the months ahead.

✔️ Lunchtime networking included, offering opportunities to connect with peers, speakers and regional leaders.

Speaker Highlights

• AI-Powered Social Selling for Retail & Service Businesses in 2026
  Louise McDonnell – Sell on Social
• The Biggest Technology Mistakes Retailers Make (and How to Avoid Them)
  Damien O’Driscoll – Positive Retail
• Panel Discussion: Tech Trends That Count – Prioritising the Right Investments
• Elevating Retail Through People Skills
  Louise Lally – The Training Academy
• Fireside Discussion: Investing in Your People – A Retail Case Study
  Kevin Egan – Kevin Egan Cars
• From Insight to Impact: Turning EX and Culture into Real Results
  Dr Oran Doherty – Retail Ireland Skillnet

Featured Retail Workshop

A key highlight of the North West Services Summit is a 90-minute practical retail workshop with business strategist Miriam Simon:

A Retailer’s Guide to a Strong Spring Trade

This hands-on session focuses on retail strategy and trading performance and will cover:

• The current retail trading landscape
• Changing consumer behaviour in 2026
• Key trading dates for retail, hospitality, beauty and hair
• Top visual merchandising and in-store trends
• Practical trading levers and real-life examples

All attendees receive a mini workbook to support implementation after the event.

Why Attend the North West Services Summit?

• Understand AI and technology trends shaping business and retail
• Learn how to make smarter technology investment decisions
• Strengthen people skills, training and culture
• Gain practical strategies to improve retail trading performance
• Connect with business and public service leaders across the North West