Irish Hotels Federation People Day Conference puts human workplace at centre of AI-era hospitality strategy

More than 300 hoteliers, general managers, owners, and HR professionals from across Ireland convened at the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise for the fifth annual Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) People Day Conference, exploring how artificial intelligence, shifting workforce expectations, and new models of leadership are reshaping the future of work in Irish hospitality. The event is directly relevant to HR and people management professionals navigating cultural and technological change across large, people-intensive organisations.

Business Plus reported that this year's conference, themed The Human Workplace in the Age of AI, featured keynote talks, panels, and interactive sessions from speakers including author and mental fitness advocate Niall Breslin, anthropologist and AI ethicist Dr Lollie Mancey, broadcaster and meditation expert Dermot Whelan, leadership and wellbeing specialist Dr Mary Collins, and Cleo McCormack, global head of organisational development at Version 1.

IHF president Matt O'Connor said: "At the heart of every great hotel and guesthouse is our people, the many thousands who choose a career in our sector. Irish hospitality is recognised worldwide for its warmth, professionalism and service excellence, and that reputation is built entirely on the dedication of our teams."

O'Connor highlighted the importance of creating environments where employees feel valued, supported, and equipped to grow, noting that the sector employs over 69,000 people directly and supports more than 270,000 livelihoods across the wider tourism industry.

He also drew attention to the concept of mattering in the workplace, saying: "Creating an environment where people know that they matter, and where the significance of individual effort is genuinely recognised, is a simple but powerful goal for any workplace to strive toward."

Access the full conference report and speaker details.