When Speakers Collide at Dublin Tech Summit

Session Overview

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Description

Siobhan Human, Head of Programming and Marketing, and Clare Kilmartin, COO, at Dublin Tech Summit have a distinct point of view on the power of their speaker network.What happens when speakers convene and collide behind the scenes?

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Speakers at an event are like atoms pinging together - connections and convening that spur on broader ideas, opportunities, and impact for the tech community at the event - and beyond.

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Tune in to hear from Claire and Siobhan from Dublin Tech Summit for an exclusive look at the vision and strategy behind the community-driven celebration that has become Ireland’s premier tech event.Learn how community engagement, international perspectives, and bold programming come together to create a lasting impact on the tech ecosystem.

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We'll take a behind the scenes look at:

1. Operations and logistics

2. Speaker selection and content strategy

3. How speaker networks are catalysts for innovation

4. How art, culture, and tech collide to foster community

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Session Transcript

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Bryan Funk [00:00:00]

Alright, y'all, welcome. Happy Tuesday! So excited to kick off this week's session. Over the past couple of months, I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with Siobhan Heumann and Clare Kilmartin from Dublin Tech Summit. They are brilliant at what they do, and I’m excited for what they have to share today.

We're going to discuss what happens when speakers collide at Dublin Tech Summit. This is, in part, an in-progress research thesis that Siobhan has been working on, exploring the impact of speakers forming relationships, connections, and experiences with each other backstage. We’ll also cover event content strategy, speaker strategy, and the cultural and artistic elements of the summit. So much rich ground to cover! Siobhan, Clare, welcome!

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Clare Kilmartin [00:01:00]

Thanks for having us, Bryan!

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Bryan Funk [00:01:15]

Thanks for joining! To set the stage, Clare, from what I’ve learned, Dublin Tech Summit is just a few months away, and you’re deep in planning mode. The summit has established itself as Ireland’s premier tech event. How has it evolved since you joined, and how does it distinguish itself from other global tech conferences?

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Clare Kilmartin [00:02:00]

I joined in 2022, and this will be my fourth Dublin Tech Summit. In 2022, coming out of COVID, there was a lot of excitement—people eager to get back to in-person events. That year, the goal was simply to make the event happen. By 2023, we focused more on strategy, reestablishing what the summit represents. Ireland has a population of less than six million, and our events reflect that scale—we don’t aim for 40,000 or 80,000-person events. Instead, we focus on quality over quantity, providing a relaxed environment where meaningful networking can happen.

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Siobhan Human [00:04:00]

That’s exactly it. We strive for a boutique-style event. Our speakers consistently tell me they love the vibe and energy at Dublin Tech Summit, but also that it’s the perfect size for networking. You’re not walking an entire day to get across the venue. The format allows for deeper connections while still maintaining a dynamic atmosphere.

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Bryan Funk [00:05:00]

I love that balance of high-quality content and experiences. Recently, I was at a dinner with about 50 event content leaders discussing the importance of creating more intimate, differentiated experiences. It sounds like you’re threading that needle well. Let’s dive into speaker selection and content strategy. Siobhan, you’ve been researching how speakers act as catalysts for innovation. Can you share your insights and how they shape your speaker selection process?

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Siobhan Human [00:06:00]

My research focuses on how speaker interactions at tech conferences drive innovation beyond the event itself. Three key aspects I’m studying: how physical and environmental spaces influence collaboration, the role of pre-existing vs. new relationships, and knowledge transfer between established and emerging speakers.

When selecting speakers, I go beyond their backgrounds and qualifications—I prioritize authenticity and storytelling ability. One of our most successful sessions last year paired NASA’s Chief AI Advisor with the Co-founder of Oculus. They brought completely different perspectives on AI—space tech vs. entertainment—which led to a fascinating discussion. These contrasting viewpoints create compelling conversations and, ultimately, fuel innovation.

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Bryan Funk [00:09:00]

That’s incredible. Have you seen real-time examples at Dublin Tech Summit where unexpected speaker interactions led to tangible outcomes?

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Siobhan Human [00:09:30]

Absolutely. We’ve seen startups secure funding directly on the floor, enterprises collaborate with emerging companies, and thought leaders form lasting partnerships. A lot of these conversations happen behind the scenes in the speaker lounge, where they can connect in a more relaxed setting.

My research aims to track these interactions beyond the summit—to see if the innovation carries on. I’ll be conducting follow-up surveys with speakers from 2024 and 2025 to measure long-term impact.

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Bryan Funk [00:11:00]

That’s such a powerful approach. It ties into the broader conversation around measuring event ROI—beyond attendance numbers, tracking the relationships and innovations sparked at an event. Clare, coming from a background in international conferences, how do you see this type of economic and innovation impact measured at a countrywide level?

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Clare Kilmartin [00:12:00]

In Ireland, we know that business tourists generate more economic value than leisure tourists. Hotel bookings and restaurant data help quantify that, but innovation impact is harder to measure. Right now, economic impact assessments don’t capture the long-term innovation and collaborations that emerge from events like Dublin Tech Summit. This is a challenge the industry needs to address.

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Bryan Funk [00:14:00]

Such an important point. Now, let’s shift back to speaker experience. Siobhan, you describe the speaker lounge as "atoms pinging off each other." What’s happening behind the scenes to create these moments?

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Siobhan Human [00:15:00]

In the speaker lounge, you see people arrive a little shy at first, but as the day progresses, small groups form, conversations spark, and collaborations take shape. We curate a comfortable, welcoming space with roundtables to encourage discussion. By the time speakers take the stage and later return backstage, there’s this camaraderie—a sense that they’ve shared a moment together. This fosters trust, friendships, and future collaboration.

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Clare Kilmartin [00:17:00]

And credit to Siobhan for building those relationships in advance. She spends so much time researching and engaging with speakers before they arrive, making sure they feel comfortable. The fact that speakers don’t just leave after their session but choose to spend the day in the speaker lounge shows how much they enjoy being part of this community.

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Bryan Funk [00:18:00]

That’s brilliant. Let’s talk about content syndication. What’s your strategy for expanding the impact of Dublin Tech Summit beyond the event?

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Clare Kilmartin [00:19:00]

We record all main stage sessions and provide them for free afterward. We also run webinars throughout the year, identifying hot topics based on session attendance data. If a session was popular but too short, we create a deeper-dive webinar series. We also leverage podcasts, hosting post-session interviews with speakers to extend discussions beyond the event.

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Siobhan Human [00:21:00]

From a content perspective, I strategically identify speakers who could expand on key topics post-event. If a talk on AI energy consumption resonated, we might invite that speaker back for a podcast episode or webinar.

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Bryan Funk [00:22:00]

It’s an incredible strategy—ensuring your content lives beyond the summit. As we wrap up, what bold moves or experiments are you making for this year’s event?

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Siobhan Human [00:23:00]

We’re embracing more controversial, thought-provoking discussions. Audiences crave substance, originality, and even friction. We’re designing sessions that challenge assumptions and ignite debates. Expect bolder topics, deeper engagement, and a willingness to push boundaries.

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Clare Kilmartin [00:24:00]

We’re also launching Dublin Tech Week—a citywide initiative bringing together tech leaders, startups, and cultural institutions for a week of side events. It’s an experiment, but one we believe will deepen engagement and make Dublin a true hub for tech innovation.

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Bryan Funk [00:25:00]

Amazing. We’re cheering you on! Siobhan, Clare, thank you so much for sharing your insights. For those interested in attending Dublin Tech Summit, we have an exclusive discount for the Sessionboard community—50% off tickets. We’ll send out the details via email. Thanks again, and see you next time!

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