02/06/2026
What a fantastic day at the BNI Ireland National Conference on Friday.
The day began with a Mega Meeting, bringing together members from chapters across Ireland for structured networking, referral mining, and relationship building. We delivered our 60-second presentations, took part in speed networking sessions, and had the opportunity to learn more about each other’s businesses. I particularly enjoyed learning more about Orla Kelly and her publishing company.
The conference itself was expertly hosted by Hugh Magee and opened by our National Director, Gavin Teehan, whose words, “there’s no strength without unity”, perfectly captured the spirit of the day.
Ciaran Murray spoke about BNI’s plans for growth and the importance of continually expanding our networks. One message that resonated strongly was that your network truly is your net worth. The more people we connect with, the more opportunities we create for ourselves and others.
One of the highlights for me was the wellbeing panel featuring Adrian Kelly, Rebecca Sheridan, Dr Terry McIvor, Dr Fiona Barry and Lucy Cronly. Some key takeaways included:
✔ Protect your recovery time
✔ Be intentional with your time
✔ Invest in yourself – because no me = no business
✔ Pause, reflect and reframe
✔ Focus on consistency over perfection
We then had the privilege of hearing from Dr Ivan Misner, the founder of BNI. His message was simple but powerful: “Be here now.” Be present, be attentive, and truly listen.
The afternoon was filled with breakout sessions, round-table discussions, more networking opportunities, and a celebration of one of BNI’s core values: recognition.
A huge thank you to the Bridge House Hotel for their hospitality and to the BNI Ireland team for organising such a well-run and inspiring event.
Days like this remind me why I value being part of BNI. It’s not just about business growth; it’s about relationships, learning, supporting one another, and building a community where everyone can succeed together.
