Tag: Dargan

Trust in Tech: Dargan Forum 2024 Offers Solutions as Ireland’s Confidence Wavers

The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer Ireland Report reveals a significant lack of trust in institutions and identifies a lack of understanding of new technologies as a key barrier to their implementation. This educational deficit can foster fear and hinder the integration of innovation into Irish society.

Next week’s Dargan Forum 2024 directly addresses these concerns by promoting understanding and trust around innovation while showcasing the positive impact of technology. With the Edelman report showing trust in NGOs, government, business, and media at just 47% in Ireland, the forum’s dynamic program of open and informative discussions is both timely and essential in facilitating conversations that shape a future where innovation benefits all.

Dublin, Ireland – One week from now, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers will converge at the Dargan Forum 2024 to explore the intersection of technology, empowerment and community building. Set in venues across picturesque Dún Laoghaire, an historic hotbed for innovation, the Dargan Forum 2024 intends to ignite conversations and inspire innovation, laying a path to digital, green future for Ireland’s communities.

Opening this year’s conference with expert insight into how technology can serve people and places is Bobby Healy, CEO of MANNA Drone Delivery, who will share his company’s inspiring vision for a net zero future for deliveries. Keynote speakers include Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for Digital Transformation; Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission; David Curtin, CEO of .ie; and Emma Jones, founder and CEO of Enterprise Nation which recently announced a strategic partnership with the Dargan Forum.

Other key event partners include Irish Rail, Connected Hubs, Søstrene Grene and Fáilte Ireland. Bank of Ireland is also a long-term supporter of the work of the Dargan Institute through the Dargan Hub, Dún Laoghaire.

With only one week to go you can secure your place at this exciting, innovative free event by visiting the Dargan Forum website:

https://www.darganinstitute.ie/dargan-forum

Dargan Forum 2024: Harnessing Technology, Empowering Communities

On 4th July, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers will converge at the Dargan Forum 2024 to explore the intersection of technology, empowerment and community building. Set in venues across picturesque Dún Laoghaire, an historic hotbed for innovation, the Dargan Forum 2024 intends to ignite conversations and inspire innovation, laying a path to digital, green future for Ireland’s communities.

Opening this year’s conference with expert insight into how technology can serve people and places is Bobby Healy, CEO of MANNA Drone Delivery, who will share his company’s inspiring vision for a net zero future for deliveries. Keynote speakers include Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for Digital Transformation; Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission; David Curtin, CEO of .ie; and Emma Jones, founder and CEO of Enterprise Nation which recently announced a strategic partnership with the Dargan Forum.

Upon announcing this collaboration, Emma Jones of Enterprise Nation said:

“Digital adoption is not just about new jobs, a tech-enabled, thriving local small business community creates better jobs, better businesses and more innovation — all of which contribute to a healthy local economy. That’s why we’re delighted to be partnering with Dargan Institute’s forward-thinking plans to ensure Irish firms can get ahead in the global digital transformation race.”

David Curtin, CEO of key Dargan Forum 2024 sponsor .ie, shared:

“.ie has been a long-term champion of the transformative power of digital technology in our towns and communities. The Dargan Forum serves as a crucial platform for driving meaningful change by leveraging our collective experience to bridge the digital divide and elevate digital skills. Partnering with the Dargan Forum is vital because it prioritises people and places, ensuring that progress benefits everyone. Together, we are committed to uncovering the innovative ways in which digitalisation enriches lives, strengthens communities, and boosts enterprises.”

Eoin Costello, national director of the Dargan Institute and adviser on the government’s Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum (EDAF), said:

“In the 21st century powerful virtual technologies such as cloud computing, AI and quantum computing will shape our lives in ways that we can only imagine. The objective of the Dargan Forum is ensuring that these powerful technologies are put to the service of people and places, leaving no one behind.”

Other key event partners include Irish Rail, Connected Hubs, Søstrene Grene and Fáilte Ireland.  Bank of Ireland is also a long-term supporter of the work of the Dargan Institute through the Dargan Hub, Dún Laoghaire.

To secure your place at this exciting and innovative free event, connect with like-minded individuals, and contribute to the dialogue that will shape the future of Irish communities, visit the Dargan Forum website:

https://www.darganinstitute.ie/dargan-forum

Enterprise Nation partners with Dargan Forum to help small firms evolve their technology to boost Irish localities

Small business support platform and membership community Enterprise Nation has announced a strategic partnership with business technology conference the Dargan Forum to help accelerate small business engagement with technology to boost Irish localities.
Aiming to create a broad awareness of the social benefits that spring from greater small business adoption of technology, the partnership with the Dún Laoghaire-based Dargan Institute, the organisation behind the Forum, will see the business support provider launch Ireland’s first Tech Hub, a free resource that will connect thousands of small firms to tried and tested tools and training.
‘Putting People & Places First – Harnessing Technology for A Better World’ is the theme of the day-long Dargan Forum, which takes place in the historic Assembly Room of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. It is all about empowering small businesses through digital knowledge, ‘smart’ solutions for localities, sustainable energy and digital towns to raise living standards for all.
Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation, who is one of the high-profile tech entrepreneurs speaking at the event, said: “When local stakeholders understand the profound benefits that supporting their small business community to accelerate digital adoption can bring, everyone benefits.
“Digital adoption is not just about new jobs, a tech-enabled, thriving local small business community creates better jobs, better businesses and more innovation – all of which contribute to a healthy local economy.
“Tech Hub is backed by experts and founding sponsors who all understand that failing to tackle digital performance now is storing up problems for years, and possibly decades to come.
“That’s why we’re delighted to be partnering with Dargan Institute’s forward-thinking plans to ensure Irish firms can get ahead in the global digital transformation race.”
Eoin Costello, national director of the Dargan Institute and adviser on the government’s Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum (EDAF) said: “We are seeing rapid change and there’s a real danger that local small business communities will be left behind – when the reality is that they have the most to gain.
“Offering digital support to local small businesses at scale is important to not only support growth and efficiency but also to ensure we can feel the benefit of change in our own communities, as well as helping to provide resilience to future shocks.
“Enterprise Nation does exactly that and it’s why we’re partnering with them for the Dargan Forum.”
The group is set to unveil its dynamic digital Tech Hub Ireland platform at the Forum, in partnership with global telecommunications provider Vodafone Business.
Enterprise Nation research found a quarter (25%) of small firms are buying technology and not using these tools due to lack of knowledge and training. The research also found the experience of wasting resources left businesses feeling short changed.
The group also plans to launch a new Tech Consortium, which will see policy leads from major technology brands come together to discuss how digital performance amongst small businesses can be boosted across Ireland.
Dargan Forum tickets are available on this link.