The IT Tralee has today announced that Brent Pope will keep the business community of Kerry entertained at the annual IT Tralee ‘Business Leaders Gala Dinner’ taking place in the Ballygarry House Hotel on Thursday March 8^th.

Brent is a New Zealand born rugby player, professional rugby coach, and one of Irelands best known and respected media personalities. Brent has been prominent as one of RTE Televisions main rugby pundits since 1993 and has also appeared in numerous cross over programmes including The Late Late Show, The Saturday Night Show, No Frontiers, The Restaurant, The Café, Charity Eurostar and many others. Brent holds a Bachelor of Commerce in economics; valuation and property management from Canterbury University in New Zealand, as well as post graduate qualifications in Marketing, Public Relations (UCD) and Sports Management.

One of the main highlights of the evening will be the presentation of the IT Tralee Cantillon Business Leader of the Year award.  This award honours the achievements of a local entrepreneur and the leadership they have shown in not only in their own business but also in making Kerry a destination to do business. Previous winners include Donal Ring founder of Munster Joinery and Brian McCarthy founder and director of FEXCO.

The annual IT Tralee Business Leaders Gala Dinner is attended by the county’s leading entrepreneurs as well as representatives from Kerry County Council, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Kerry Local Enterprise Office, North, East & West Kerry Development; South Kerry Partnership Development and Udarás na Gaeltachta.

Brid McElligott Vice President for Research, Development and External Engagement said: “The Institute is delighted to have secured Brent Pope as the after dinner speaker for the IT Tralee Business Leaders Gala Dinner. Brent brings a wealth of experience from both the business and sporting world which he will share on the evening of the 8^th. We also look forward to awarding the IT Tralee Cantillon Business Leader of the Year award to an inspiring business champion whose reputation and business impact is acknowledged both at county level and nationwide.”

The gala dinner follows the IT Tralee Cantillon Conference in the Rose Hotel Tralee, this hugely successful annual event brings together a host of national and international industry leaders, economists, journalists, academics and entrepreneurs each year to discuss key fintech topics.

This year’s conference will focus on the theme BrexTech – Navigating New Borders. A host of prominent speakers will examine the effect of digital borders that will be created as a result of Brexit, and examine how Irish business leaders can leverage new and emerging technologies to overcome these barriers. The conference will explore existing and future challenges that will change the way we trade, pay, transact, communicate and prepare for the future global economic landscape. Tickets for Cantillon 2018 can be found at www.cantillon.ie