Events
Linen Lunch & Learn 2026
| Event | Linen Lunch & Learn 2026 |
|---|---|
| When? | 15th April 2026 at 1:00pm |
| Until? | 29th April 2026 at 2:00pm |
| Where? | Maldron Hotel, Brunswick Street |
Can we buy you lunch? Join us at the Maldron Hotel on Brunswick Street for three Wednesday in April, for our Linen Lunch & Learn Series.
Enjoy Lunch on us, and listen to the stories of three Industry leaders in the fields of Planning, Events & Lobbying.
Walk back to the office with a full tummy and full of ideas to consider in your own organisation.
More info and registration links for each of the three events below:
Week 1: What might out city look like in 5 years time?
(Wed 15 April, 1-2pm)
Belfast has changed rapidly over the past 30 years and while progress can sometimes feel slow, it continues on a fascinating journey of regeneration. This leads us to ask what could the next 5 years look like for the city? Through a combination of projects in the pipeline and inspiration to be taken from other cities, join Urban Designer and Landscape Architect, Dr James Hennessey, to reflect upon this question.
Lunch provided by LQ BID.
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James is a Director at the award winning practice The Paul Hogarth Company, and an Honorary Senior Lecturer of Urban Design at Queens University Belfast.
Week 2: Getting ready for elections – What does politics mean for your business?
(Weds 22 April, 1-2pm)
Gráinne Walsh has spent over 20 years working with a range of organisations in shaping politics and public affairs in Northern Ireland. She has worked across all Executive departments, with every political party and has experience in working at Westminster, in Whitehall and with local government.
With the next NI Assembly and council elections just over a year away, while voters in Scotland, Wales and parts of England will go to the polls in May 2026 in what will be a pivotal test of the current UK government, Gráinne will consider how the changing political landscape may impact on businesses in Belfast and what you can do to prepare.
Lunch provided by LQ BID.
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Part of the Connect Group’s leadership team, Gráinne leads the team in Belfast as Director. Gráinne has recently supported organisations to navigate the UK’s exit from the EU, respond to the challenges of COVID-19 and the economic downturn as well as on sustainability, infrastructure and wellbeing.
Gráinne is a member of the Institute of Directors’ Northern Ireland Committee, the Public Affairs Board of the PRCA and sits on the boards of Housing Rights and Choice Housing.
Week 3: What are the transformational impacts of events like Culture Night & The Fleadh?
(Weds 29 April, 1-2pm)
As Belfast gears up to host the largest event it’s ever held in the Fleadh cheoil na héireann, following the successful return of Culture Night in 2025 after 5 years away, Belfast City Council Senior Manager of Culture, Tourism & Events, Lesley-Ann O’Donnell will share her hopes on how Belfast can build on the legacy left behind by these events, and the impact they can make for years to come, beyond the immediate benefits for business and well-being.
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Lesley-Ann O’Donnell is Belfast City Councils Senior Manager of Culture, Tourism & Events, and has overseen projects including ‘Belfast 2024,’ Culture Night and the upcoming Fleadh cheoil na héireann
