Front row from left to right: Matjaž Rakovec, Mayor of the City of Kranj, Sheila Moore, Board Member Sandyford Business District, Neale Richmond TD, An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Jim O’Leary, Minister Ossian Smyth, Aranxta Herrero Yuste Asemposil, Frank Curran CEO DLR County Council, Paul Kennedy, Director of Infrastructure, Climate Change & Municipal Services DLR County Council
Back row from left to right: Gašper Kleč Head of the Office for Economic Activities and Transport: City of Kranj, Ger Corbett CEO Sandyford Business District, Pablo García-Vigón González President of the Federation of Business Areas of Asturias, Aidan Blighe, Director of Planning and Economic Development DLR County Council, Graham Colclough, UrbanDNA and Master of Ceremonies
Sustainable Innovation and Growth
was the theme of the 2024 Sandyford Business District Innovation Summit, held from November 20-21. This dynamic event gathered stakeholders focused on laying the foundation for future growth in the district.
Bringing together international business leaders, policymakers, local thought leaders and academics, the summit highlighted key themes such as the circular economy, digitisation, mobility, and social innovation. It aimed to create a comprehensive five-year roadmap to position Sandyford Business District as a leading European innovation hub.
Keynote speeches played a pivotal role in framing the discussions. Notable speakers included An Cathaoirleach Cllr Jim O’Leary, Minister Neale Richmond, Minister Ossian Smyth, SBD CEO Ger Corbett, and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council CEO Frank Curran. These addresses underscored the District’s commitment to sustainable development, economic growth, and technological leadership. Their insights set the stage for collaborative dialogue on the District’s future.
The summit’s first day offered panel discussions featuring expert insights from leading EU, African and U.S. cities, sharing best practices and innovation strategies and examined how Sandyford Business District could position itself as a leader in sustainable business practices and smart urban development.
On the second day, focus shifted to interactive workshops where thematic champions guided the development of actionable strategies, securing diverse input from stakeholders and ensuring that the resulting roadmap would be ambitious, inclusive and achievable.
This event reaffirmed Sandyford Business District’s role as a forward-thinking business district, emphasising a commitment to sustainability and community-driven innovation. The summit’s collaborative efforts laid the groundwork for meaningful progress, fostering partnerships and innovative ideas that will guide the District’s growth over the next five years.