About this event
Learn how you can grow your business and ensure that every speaking opportunity delivers value to you AND your audience.
The February event for PSA Ireland is packed full of value. We have the regional heats of the Emerging Speaker Competition and Keynotes from John Burns and Dr. Lollie Mancey, along with lots of networking and conversations.
Parking is free and non-members are always welcome.
NB: Agenda is subject to change ~ Photography and videography will take place
Keynote speakers
Once shy, nervous, and allergic to microphones, John Burns somehow decided that speaking was a sensible career move and then figured out how to make it work.
Today, John is a professional speaker, author, and thought leader on uncertainty, career resilience, and the business of speaking. He’s the author of Prepare to Get Fired! – because nothing says ‘comfort’ like planning for uncertainty.
Known for his high-energy, interactive style, John blends humour, hard truths, real-world experience, and even a bit of AI wizardry to help speakers turn passion into a profession – and actually get paid for it.
A proud member of the PSA UK & Ireland, John doesn’t just talk about speaking… he talks about what happens after the applause.
CULTURAL FUTURIST | MEDIA PERSONALITY | AI & INNOVATION STRATEGIST
Dr Lollie Mancey is one of Ireland’s most compelling voices at the intersection of humanity and technology. An anthropologist, futurist, and AI ethicist, she brings sharp, original insight into how culture, innovation, and emotional infrastructure are reshaping the future of work, leadership, and human connection.
A regular media contributor and co-presenter of RTÉ’s Futureville (now in its second series), Lollie reached a national audience with her acclaimed appearance on The Tommy Tiernan Show, where she explored the ethics of AI companions and the evolving emotional relationship between humans and machines. Her work consistently challenges assumptions and provokes thoughtful public debate.
Lollie is Programme Director at University College Dublin’s Innovation Academy, where she equips leaders and organisations to navigate complexity, build resilient teams, and engage with AI responsibly and ethically. Her advisory and speaking work spans academia, industry, and public service, including collaborations with organisations such as NASA and Mastercard, bridging deep research with real-world impact.
A powerful and engaging storyteller, Lollie was crowned Dublin Story Slam Champion in 2018, a distinction that underpins her reputation for delivering intellectually rigorous ideas with warmth, clarity, and stagecraft. She is a sought-after keynote speaker across sectors, known for translating frontier thinking into bold, human-centred strategies.
Whether addressing the future of leadership, the ethics of digital intimacy, or what AI means for our emotional lives, her message is clear: the future is not just about technology, it is about what kind of humans we choose to be.
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