Hosted by InterTradeIreland, in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, this year’s conference is a joint all-island initiative under the all-island clustering strand of the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme. It marks a historic milestone as the first time the three economic agencies will collaborate to drive mutual benefit across both economies on the island of Ireland. It is also the first time in the conference’s 28-year history that the event will work across borders, highlighting the unique and collaborative offering of the entire island.

During a recent three-day visit, our TCI Network CEO, Patricia Valdenebro, engaged directly with some of the island’s most dynamic cluster organisations. These included the Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing (ATIM) cluster and Northern Ireland’s Maritime and Offshore (NIMO) cluster, which showcased just a sample of the impressive cluster activity taking place.

Speaking about the visit, Patricia Valdenebro said: “The TCI Global Conference is TCI Network’s flagship annual event, and our aim for this year’s conference is to leave a legacy on the island, whilst also showcasing the expertise across Ireland and Northern Ireland to a global audience. The strength of the clusters has been evident throughout my visit, and I’ve had the opportunity to experience first-hand the thriving cluster ecosystems across both jurisdictions”

She observed that in a time marked by technological advances, climate urgency, shifting geopolitics, and global interdependence, clusters and collaborative networks are increasingly vital. According to her, these networks are acting as engines of transformation—bolstering resilience, accelerating green innovation, and fostering cross-border cooperation to ensure that economies remain open, dynamic, and competitive.

Valdenebro also stated that “TCI is at the frontier of clustering, and we want to bring our expertise and best practice of managing cluster initiatives and designing transformative policies to attendees who will travel from all over the globe. With InterTradeIreland’s experience in clustering, they are leading on the dynamic development of an informative and beneficial conference programme that will offer invaluable insights to attendees.”

As part of the programme, conference attendees will have the opportunity to take part in dedicated cluster tours, offering a closer look at the cross-border collaboration and innovative work taking place across both jurisdictions. The event will also feature presentations from world-class cluster experts and thought leaders, offering practical insights on how clusters can accelerate innovation, create new partnerships, and drive inclusive economic growth.

The 28th TCI Global Conference will be held at the Royal Convention Centre in Dublin from 14–16 October 2025.

▶️ For more information about TCI Network and the upcoming conference, visit https://www.tci-network.org/news/ireland-and-northern-ireland-welcomes-tci2025/