This week on the roundup: reviews, international brands, workshops, thought leadership campaigns, support services, accomplishments, areas of activity, design experiences, announcements, the power of marketing, summer internships, policymakers, transactions, impetus to change, participation, intensive programs, localized insights, carbon neutrality, and more!

But first, here are the IPBN highlights of the week:

We shared the pictures and the 2024 review of the IPBN activities, our new member benefits video, and a video about the achievements of the IPBN in 2024. Check it out below!

We introduced our new member, SAL Home & Living represented by Isabel Ferreira, Project Manager! SAL is a highly curated online interior design store representing Portuguese and international brands.

Please be aware: Our workshop with IPBN member Shane Moran has been moved to Friday, May 16 at the IDEA Space in Lisbon from 14h to 15h30. You can find all the details and register here.

We shared our latest podcast of the recent Masterclass with IPBN member Claire Mason, a publicist specializing in thought leadership campaigns for founders and venture capitalists in the technology sector. Learn how to transform your online presence and build trust with your audience, and be sure to listen all the way to the end to gain extra insights from the Q&A!

We introduced another new member, Algarve Care Services (ACS), led by Kelly Dugmore. ACS is an award winning company that provides care support services to the English-speaking community living in or visiting the Algarve. Established in 2017, ACS offers both social care and nursing services in the comfort of your home or accommodation.

Finally, Happy Easter! For all our golfing members, we could not forget to highlight the amazing achievement last Sunday in Augusta National Golf Club of Northern Ireland Rory McIlroy, who by winning the Masters, has become the first European to accomplish the Grand Chelem! What an achievement! A great example that resilience and self-belief after many years of trying pays off. We can all take that into account in our businesses.

And now...

IPBN Executive Partner PwC Portugal's "Spend Your Spring Break with Us" initiative started today, which unites several undergraduate or master's students around a common goal - to grow! They posted, "You are very welcome! During this week, they dive into what is our DNA, through an experience that allows them to understand more about the different areas of activity at PwC and network with experienced professionals, something valuable for their professional future."

IPBN Board member Sharon Dehmel shared a glowing testimonial: “Working with Sharon was a game-changer. She brought a rare mix of deep expertise, thoughtful structure, and genuine care to every session in our leadership mentorship program. What stood out most was her ability to really listen and then design experiences that felt both practical and personal. If you're looking to grow as a leader, not just learn about leadership, Sharon’s the person you want in your corner. Highly recommend."

IPBN member Lisbon Heritage Hotels was delighted to announce that 4 of their units have received a British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award for 2024. Read the full article here! Congratulations on a job well done!

IPBN member Cravo do Mato Business and Marketing Services asked, "What does a blender have to do with a mobile phone? Or with golf balls? Together, they create a viral marketing campaign! How can you harness the power of marketing to showcase the quality of your product?"

IPBN member Red Light Software posted, "Last year, our summer interns took on an exciting challenge: "Vive na Boa", our first-ever summer internship project for a real customer Associação Humanidades! Go to our website to learn more about this remarkable project and to have a taste of what you'll be involved with in next year's internship team. Ready to be part of it? Stay tuned!"

IPBN member Invoke Creative Agency shared, "Invoke International was proud to plan, produce, and manage the Ireland at MIPIM Pavilion—bringing together industry leaders, global investors, and policymakers to shape the future of Irish real estate on a world stage. From strategy and design to logistics and live programming, we curated a space that captured attention, sparked conversation, and reflected the ambition of Ireland’s real estate sector."

IPBN member Gerry Fagan said, "We at DDM recently completed a deed for a property at Reserva da Luz, with the transaction carried out using Bitcoin. This reflects a growing trend in the real estate market, where cryptocurrency is becoming an accepted form of payment. To learn more about how this process works—and why it can be carried out safely and securely."

IPBN member SAL Home & Living is celebrating 10 years of existence, and this anniversary has given them impetus to change. "We have changed SAL's corporate image with a new, more current and elegant logo. We have changed our website with a new focus and more representations of national and international brands."

IPBN Academic Partner Sofia Almeida at the Universidade Europeia shared that Tourism Barometer 2025 is now available for participation: a partnership IPAM, Universidade Europeia, and TNews.

IPBN Academic Partner Porto Business School & the Innovation X Hub posted, "Porto Business School, through the Innovation X Hub, is promoting the Artificial Intelligence Summer School, an intensive program, in English, designed for secondary school students with an interest in technology, innovation and the future." This is a very good link to our Innovation Conference in Dublin around AI on June 17. To be announced soon. SAVE THE DATE.

IPBN member BRIDGE IN invites you to move beyond general trends and focus on the practical realities for your company. "We're hosting a live Q&A session where you get to ask YOUR questions. Think of it as a direct line to insights, without the scripted presentations. What you'll gain: Localized Insights: Understand the specific dynamics of the Portuguese tech talent market. Practical Solutions: Get answers to your real-world hiring questions. Strategic Foresight: Prepare your company for the future of tech recruitment in Portugal. 15 May, at 3:00 Lisbon Time."

IPBN member Lawler Sustainability is inviting Irish Universities to be Carbon Neutral by 2030. "A 4 year Decarbonisation degree for Universities! EasyPro is an initiative which goal is to make Irish Universities carbon neutral by 2030 Using Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs) and giving them access to targeted funding. Our expert Damien Whelan explains the design of the EasyPro project in this article."