Navigating the Evolving Agricultural Machinery Landscape
The Heritage Hotel, Killenard, Co. Laois – 8th of February 2024 – 9am to 4pm
This conference provides a timely platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector; and will serve as an informative forum for those within the industry planning for strategic growth. The day will be moderated by Irish journalist and broadcaster, Sean O’Rourke. There will be a formal, sit-down lunch with the chance to engage with industry leaders, exhibitors, and sponsors.
Moderator : Sean O’Rourke
9am: Registration
9.30am: Welcome address
Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine TD
Karol Duigenan, President of the FTMTA & Regional Sales Manager CLAAS UK
10am- 11am: Unlocking Financial Excellence
Navigating the Industry’s Financial Landscape: Strategies for Success – Ian Fairbairn, Director, VFM Associates Ltd
11am: Coffee Break
11.30am-12.30pm: Mastering the Art of Sales Behaviour
The Psychology of Selling: Understanding and Influencing Buyers – Ian Fairbairn, Director, VFM Associates Ltd
12.30pm-1.15pm: Social Media Marketing
The Power of Connecting with Your Audience –
Jeff Sheridan,
Managing Director, Matrix Internet.
1.15pm-2.30pm: Lunch and Networking
2.30pm-3.00pm: Keynote speaker Paul McNeive,
a chartered surveyor with 40 years’ experience
in commercial property and he was managing
director of Savills in Ireland.
3pm-4pm: Driving Business Success in a Turbulent World:
A Panel Discussion on Navigating Challenges and
Embracing Opportunities.
Sean O’ Rourke, Moderator;
John O Donoghue, CEO, ifac
Ian Fairbairn, Director, VFM Associates Ltd
Paul McNeive, Motivational Speaker
Emma Mitchell, Operations Director and Company Secretary, SIMI
Jeff Sheridan
Jeff Sheridan
Founder and MD of Matrix Internet, a leading European digital agency.
Jeff has a business degree and a vast experience in the digital space, Jeff has managed over 1,000 digital projects across public and private sectors. His strengths lie in user experience, international market development and digital marketing.
Jeff will speak about how to understand the target audience and how to create a story that is compelling and memorable.
Ian Fairbairn
Ian Fairbairn
Ian joined Massey Ferguson as a technical trainer and progressed through various technical, commercial and managerial roles.
After seven years at Massey Ferguson, Ian found VFM Associates, and since then he has been involved with the key functions on the wholesale and retail sides of the business: sales, workshops, parts, management and leadership.
As MD of VFM, Ian is responsible for leading the team and has particular interest in the research and development of innovative competency solutions. He has been an executive coach since 2008, working on specific business and people development assignments.
John Donoghue
John Donoghue
John Donoghue is the CEO and Managing Partner of IFAC and Executive Director, IFAC Investment Services.
John is a fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland. He holds a masters in Leadership and Management from the Smurfit School of Business.
John is a director of corporate recovery and forensic accounting specialist Friel Stafford and he sat on the Board of the Irish Farm Centre for five years and serves as a pension trustee.
In his role in the Department of Enterprise, Trade, Employment SME and Entrepreneurship Taskforce. Johns insights help to shape policies supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
John oversees the strategic direction of IFAC, which serves 22,000 clients, primarily in farming, food and agribusiness. IFAC has expanded by almost 200% in the last decade.
IFAC’s services include tax planning, accounting, business consulting, advisory services and owner-manager supports
Paul McNeive
Paul McNeive
Paul McNeive is keynote speaker, a chartered surveyor with 40 years’ experience in commercial property and he was managing director of Savills in Ireland.
He is motivational speaker and a consultant on business development with many leading companies.
His autobiographical book on business and motivation, called “small steps”, is a bestseller, and he has also had two novels published internationally
He writes a weekly opinion column on property for the Irish Independent and is on the board of Ireland’s National Rehabilitation Hospital. He is an Ambassador for the Douglas Bader Foundation.
Paul has overcome many challenges, and he has critical advice for businesspeople and a remarkable story to tell.
Karol Duigenan
Karol Duigenan
We are delighted to welcome Karol Duigenan who has 23 years’ experience in the industry.
Karol has been the Sales Manager for Claas for the last 18 years.
He joined the FTMTA executive council in 2014 and was appointed President in 2023.
