Ireland to Welcome Europe's SME & Clusters Community for Landmark Enterprise Event

Mark Christal - Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland; Aisling Nolan - Chief People & Information Officer, Decotek Automotive; Niall Fay - Managing Director, Grant Engineering & ATIM Cluster Chairperson; Peter Burke TD, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Caitríona Mordan, ATIM Cluster Manager; Tom Hyland - Managing Director, Decotek Automotive; Dr. Liam Brown - Vice President of Research & Innovation, Technological University of Shannon; John Gaffney - General Manager, Avery Dennison Medical

ATIM encourages Irish manufacturers, SMEs and cluster organisations to engage with Europe's flagship enterprise gathering taking place in Dublin from 2-4 November 2026

DECOTEK Automotive, Collinstown, Co. Westmeath, Friday, 4 September 2026 – The Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing (ATIM) Cluster is encouraging manufacturers, SMEs, technology providers, researchers and innovation stakeholders from across Ireland to engage with the SME & Clusters Assembly 2026, taking place in Dublin from 2-4 November 2026.

Held under the theme "Connecting for a Competitive Europe", the event will, for the first time, combine the European SME Assembly and the European Cluster Conference into a single flagship gathering, bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs, cluster managers, investors and innovators from across Europe to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of European enterprise.

The Assembly represents a significant opportunity for Irish businesses to build international partnerships, access new knowledge and expertise, influence future policy discussions and showcase Ireland's innovation capabilities on a European stage. Key themes include competitiveness, artificial intelligence, access to new markets, resilient value chains, innovation and entrepreneurship. Dedicated networking and matchmaking activities will also support collaboration between SMEs and cluster organisations across Europe.

ATIM, Ireland's national cluster for advanced manufacturing, is hosted by Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and is one of the pilot clusters participating in Ireland's International Cluster Impact Programme (IICP). Since its establishment in 2021, ATIM has grown to more than 100 members, bringing together manufacturers, technology providers, research organisations, educators and policymakers to strengthen competitiveness through collaboration.

Caitríona Mordan, Cluster Manager, ATIM, said:

"The strength of clustering lies in bringing businesses together to tackle challenges that no company can solve alone. By facilitating peer-to-peer learning, collaboration and access to expertise, clusters help companies accelerate innovation, improve productivity and remain competitive in a rapidly changing global environment. The SME & Clusters Assembly presents a unique opportunity for Irish manufacturers and SMEs to connect with European partners, policymakers and investors, ensuring their voices are heard while developing the relationships and collaborations needed for future growth."

Tom Hyland, Managing Director, DECOTEK Automotive and ATIM Board Member, said:

"As a manufacturing company operating in highly competitive international markets, we see first-hand the value that collaboration, knowledge sharing and strong industry networks can bring to business growth and resilience."

Mark Christal, Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland, said:

"Strong international connections are essential for ambitious Irish businesses looking to scale and compete globally. The SME & Clusters Assembly will provide direct access to European industry and innovation leaders and is an excellent opportunity to showcase Ireland's enterprise strengths while helping companies identify new opportunities for growth, innovation and market expansion."

Margaret Hearty, InterTradeIreland, said:

"Businesses across the island of Ireland are facing shared challenges around productivity, skills, sustainability and technology adoption. Cluster initiatives provide an effective mechanism for companies to collaborate, share knowledge and access expertise that can strengthen competitiveness and resilience. The SME & Clusters Assembly presents an important opportunity for businesses, cluster organisations and innovation stakeholders to build new partnerships, learn from international best practice and contribute to shaping the future of enterprise across Europe."

Dr. Liam Brown, President, Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), said:

"Technological University of the Shannon is proud to host the ATIM Cluster and support initiatives that strengthen collaboration between industry, research and education. The SME & Clusters Assembly 2026 presents a significant opportunity to showcase Ireland's innovation ecosystem, connect Irish enterprises with leading European networks and accelerate the partnerships needed to drive future competitiveness, skills development and sustainable growth."

Reflecting the Assembly's focus on collaboration, innovation and business growth, the programme will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, cluster organisations, researchers and innovation stakeholders from across Europe for three days of engagement and knowledge exchange.

Hosting the SME & Clusters Assembly further reinforces Ireland's commitment to supporting enterprise growth, innovation and international collaboration. The event will provide a platform to showcase the strengths of Ireland's business, research and innovation ecosystem while strengthening links with key European stakeholders.

Minister Peter Burke TD said:

"The SME & Clusters Assembly 2026 represents a unique opportunity for Irish businesses to engage directly with European policymakers, industry leaders and innovation experts. As Europe seeks to enhance its competitiveness in an increasingly challenging global environment, it is vital that Irish enterprises are represented in these discussions. Hosting this event in Ireland reflects the strength of our enterprise ecosystem and our commitment to supporting collaboration, innovation and sustainable economic growth."

The event will commence with business visits on 2 November before moving to the Convention Centre Dublin for two days of keynote presentations, panel discussions, networking and matchmaking activities. Delegates will also have the opportunity to attend the Schumpeter Innovation in Enterprise Lecture and the European SME Week Reception at Dublin Castle.

Organisations interested in attending can register their interest through the European Commission registration portal:

🔗 https://futurium.ec.europa.eu/en/promoting-enterprise/sme-clusters-assembly/register-sme-clusters-assembly-2026-dublin

Due to limited capacity, registrations will be reviewed by the event organisers and attendance is subject to approval. Generally, only one participant per organisation will be accepted.

About ATIM

The Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing (ATIM) Cluster is Ireland's national cluster for advanced manufacturing and is hosted by Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). Established in 2021, ATIM brings together more than 100 member organisations from industry, research, education and enterprise support agencies to drive innovation, collaboration and competitiveness across the manufacturing sector. As a pilot cluster under Ireland's International Cluster Impact Programme, ATIM supports industry-led initiatives that deliver practical impact for Irish manufacturers and strengthen Ireland's position within European and global value chains.

Media Contact

Caitriona Mordan
Cluster Manager, ATIM
www.atimcluster.ie
+353 86 0883275