Taking place during Enterprise Week and hosted by Ella McSweeney, Circular Advantage is a practical in‑person event showing Irish SMEs how circular economy practices can drive profitability, compliance, and competitive advantage.
Circular Advantage, hosted by broadcaster and journalist Ella McSweeney, is a practical and insight‑driven event designed to help Irish SMEs turn circular economy practices into real commercial value. Taking place during Enterprise Week, this in‑person session will challenge the perception that circular approaches mean additional cost—demonstrating instead how they can enhance profitability, improve compliance, and open new opportunities aligned with emerging policy, legislation, and procurement requirements.
Attendees will hear expert insights from Valentina Tarasco, Assessment & Metrics Lead on Irish Manufacturing Research’s Circular Economy Team, who will outline key trends shaping the circular economy landscape. The event will also include a live case study delivered by Tim Murphy of the Circular Economy Company, showcasing how circular principles can be applied in a real local business setting.
SMEs will gain practical guidance on how to reduce costs and improve operations, including an overview of Longford LEO’s Lean for Business and Digital for Business programmes, presented by John O’Shanahan of Lean BPI. These programmes can act as the first step for any SME beginning their circular journey, and the event will highlight the funding and supports available to assist with implementation.
A closing panel discussion featuring industry specialists and support organisations will explore the challenges and opportunities ahead for SMEs, providing clear direction on the next steps businesses can take.
Forming part of a Just Transition Funded Circular Economy Project, Circular Advantage also aims to highlight the opportunity for Longford to become a leading region in Ireland’s emerging circular economy landscape.
Participants will leave with a strong understanding of the financial, regulatory, and environmental benefits of circular practices — and, crucially, with the confidence and plan needed to take meaningful next steps toward implementation.
Event Running Order
10:00 – 10:05 | Welcome & Opening Remarks
- Host introduction (Ella McSweeney)
- Purpose of Circular Advantage and its role in Enterprise Week
10:05 – 10:25 | Expert Presentation: Circular Economy Trends
Speaker: Valentina Tarasco, Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR)
- Emerging circular economy drivers
- Policy, legislative and procurement developments
- What SMEs need to prepare for now
10:25 – 10:55 | Practical Supports: Lean, Digital & First Steps for SMEs
Speaker: John O’Shanahan, Digital Lean Solutions
- Lean for Business & Digital for Business programmes
- How these form a foundation for circular practices
- Funding and supports available
10:55 – 11:15 | Live Case Study: Circular Practices in a Local SME
Speaker: Tim Murphy, Circular Economy Company
- Assessment of a local business
- Practical improvements and lessons
- Demonstrating real-world competitive and cost advantages
11:15 – 12:20 | Panel Discussion + Q&A
Participants: Industry specialists, support organisations, speakers
- Challenges and opportunities for SMEs
- How to build a circular strategy
- Audience questions
12:20 – 12:30 | Closing Remarks & Next Steps
- Key takeaways
- Supports available through the Just Transition Funded project
- How SMEs can begin implementation
Event followed by networking and lunch available to all registered attendees from 12.30pm
You have sucessfully added an event to your cart
loading...
Are you sure you want to remove this event?
