Leaders Awards 2026: Tickets on Sale

Tech Industry Alliance is delighted to announce the date for Leaders Awards 2026, our annual celebration of innovation, achievement and impact across the South West’s thriving technology ecosystem. This year’s Leaders Awards will take place on Friday, 13 November, at The Great Southern Hotel Killarney.

For almost two decades, the Leaders Awards have recognised the trailblazers, innovators and changemakers who are helping to shape the future of technology in Ireland. This prestigious black-tie gala brings together technology leaders, educators, start-ups, scale-ups, multinationals, SMEs and key industry stakeholders for an evening of celebration, recognition and networking.

Mark your calendar and prepare to join us for one of the standout technology events of the year. Guests can look forward to an unforgettable evening of celebration, connection and entertainment.

The 2026 Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards are split into twelve categories, with the first ten open to public nominations:

• AI Award
• Best Learning Workplace Award
• Cybersecurity Award
• ESG Award
• Excellence in Education
• MNC of the Year
• Small Indigenous Company of the Year
• Smart Technology Innovation
• Tech Scale Up of the Year
• Tech Start Up of the Year
• Chairperson Community Award
• Tech Person of the Year

The Chairperson Community Award is nominated by the Chairperson of Tech Industry Alliance. This award focuses on giving recognition to a particular group or project that has positively influenced the Tech community in the South West region of Ireland.

The Tech person of the Year award will be selected by the Tech Industry Alliance Executive Board and goes to an individual who has demonstrated many years commitment to the tech industry in the South West region.

Nominations for the Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards 2026 are now closed. The 2026 finalists will be announced in the coming weeks.

Event Tickets

This year’s prestigious Leaders Awards Gala Dinner will take place at the five-star Great Southern Hotel Killarney, setting the scene for a very special evening of celebration.

Guests can look forward to a memorable night of five-star dining, networking, and entertainment as we come together to recognise and celebrate the outstanding people and companies making their mark across the technology sector.

To order tickets please contact us directly at: info@techindustryalliance.ie, ticket pricing listed is exclusive of VAT. Ticket sales will be on a first come first served basis with priority given to all members.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, 13th November
• Start Time: 7.00pm (begins with a drinks reception)
• Dress Code: Black Tie
• Special hotel rates are available for attendees, please contact the Great Southern Hotel as soon as possible for more information.

Event MC: Anton Savage

Anton Savage is an experienced broadcaster, journalist, communications advisor and one of Ireland’s most recognised event hosts. He currently presents Newstalk Breakfast and has previously hosted a wide range of television and radio programmes, including The Sunday Business Show, Ireland AM, The Tonight Show, The Last Word and the PPI Gold Medal-winning Anton Savage Show. A regular MC and chair at conferences, award ceremonies and major events, Anton is known for his engaging, relaxed and insightful presenting style, bringing energy, pace and personality to every event.

Event Sponosrs

• TrendAI
• PepsiCo Ireland
• Quest
• Barden
• Fexco
• NetApp
• AIB
• Munster Technological University
• Enterprise Ireland
• Cork Smart Gateway
• Cork County Council
• Cork City Council
• Kerry County Council
• Discover Kerry

Excellence in Education Award

The Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards Excellence in Education Award is proudly sponsored by Trend Micro. Again for this year, Trend Micro will provide the winning school with €5,000 to support STEM initiatives. This award recognises schools that demonstrate “Excellence in Education” by fostering the development of IT skills in students and/or teachers. It will be granted to a school that showcases an outstanding technology initiative benefiting the school itself and/or the broader South West region.