Galway will welcome senior European policymakers, business leaders, regional authorities, researchers and enterprise agencies this autumn as it hosts a flagship conference examining the future of regional competitiveness, innovation and sustainable economic growth across Europe.
Supported by Galway City Council and Galway County Council, the event will mark the conclusion of the 10th External ECON Commission meeting, which will take place in Galway earlier that week.
The External ECON Commission Conference, taking place on 7 October 2026 at Dexcom Stadium, Galway, will bring together representatives of the European Committee of the Regions, the European Commission, national governments and industry leaders to explore how regions can strengthen competitiveness through indigenous enterprise growth, strategic foreign direct investment and balanced regional development.
Held during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the conference will focus on the experience of the Atlantic Economic Corridor and the wider West of Ireland as a model for place-based economic development. Delegates will examine how regional ecosystems, combining ambitious local enterprise, high-value foreign direct investment, research excellence and collaborative public policy, can contribute to Europe's economic resilience and long-term competitiveness.
The conference will showcase how Irish-owned companies have successfully scaled into international markets, while multinational investment has supported highly skilled employment, research capability and innovation within regional economies. Discussions will also explore how closer collaboration between SMEs, multinational companies, higher education institutions and public authorities can strengthen productivity, support sustainable growth and enhance economic resilience.
A particular focus of the conference will be the opportunities and challenges facing frontier and peripheral regions across Europe. Against a backdrop of increasing global competition, economic uncertainty and evolving trade relationships, delegates will consider how regional economies can remain competitive while delivering sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.
Among the speakers will be senior representatives from the European Commission, the European Committee of the Regions, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland-supported companies, local government and leading European policymakers involved in shaping the EU's competitiveness agenda. The programme will include discussions on scaling high-growth companies, strengthening innovation ecosystems, attracting investment and reinforcing the European Single Market.
Proceedings will be opened by the Mayor of Galway City, Councillor Helen Ogbu together with representatives from Galway County Council and the European Committee of the Regions. The conference will conclude with remarks from Alberto Cirio, President of Piemonte and Chair of the ECON Commission of the European Committee of the Regions, alongside the Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Councillor Andrew Reddington.
Located at the heart of the Atlantic Economic Corridor, Galway provides an ideal setting for the conference. The region is recognised as one of Ireland's leading examples of balanced regional development, combining internationally recognised strengths in medtech, advanced manufacturing, digital innovation, research and entrepreneurship with a thriving ecosystem of indigenous and multinational companies.
The conference is expected to contribute to wider European discussions on competitiveness, cohesion and regional development, demonstrating how strong regional economies can help build a more competitive, resilient and prosperous Europe.