Over 800 business leaders, government officials and VIPs gathered in black-tie at ICC Belfast for one of NI Chamber’s most prestigious calendar events, the President’s Banquet 2025.
With stellar speakers, fine dining and excellent entertainment, the evening became the biggest yet, leaving Northern Ireland’s business community energised and inspired.
- Attendees
- 886
- Event Type
- Gala dinner
- Space Used
- Hall 1, Hall 2, Riverside Foyer
Order of Play
With a theme of ‘Driving Prosperity’ inspired by the legacy of The Open, the night began with a VIP reception in Riverside Foyer, offering networking, drinks and themed ambience before guests moved into dinner and speeches. NI Chamber President Kailash Chada set the tone, followed by an address from Economy Minister Dr. Caoimhe Archibald on growth and opportunity, remarks from NI Chamber Chief Executive Suzanne Wylie and contributions from other key figures.
The event then shifted to entertainment with a live chat show featuring former Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley, Sky Sports presenter Nick Dougherty and PGA Professional Golf Coach Georgia Ball, co-hosted by BBC presenters Holly Hamilton and Conor Philips, exploring The Open’s impact and legacy. Music and performances were threaded throughout. Business focused discussions highlighted sustainable growth, the wider economy and the power of collaboration before closing remarks and further networking brought the evening to a close.
Lights on the fairway
ICC Belfast’s in-house event production team created a premium environment with 112 moving lighting fixtures, 20 AV screens and immersive sound design that delivered crystal clear speeches, presentations and live golf insights. The team designed the full in-room production and mapped it through 3D visualisations, so every seat felt like the front row. This integrated approach showed the real value of end to end event production for a high profile gala dinner at ICC Belfast.
Dave Young, Head of Production, ICC Belfast commented,
“We always look forward to welcoming back the prestigious President’s Banquet."
Each year’s theme challenges our team to think creatively, bring a vision to life and showcase the strength of our world class technical production.
With demand for this must-attend event growing every year, we must push our thinking to ensure every guest gets a standout experience. We already look forward to raising the bar again in 2026.”
From tee to torte
Working with its hospitality partner, Pan & Pour, ICC Belfast delivered fine dining at scale with a seasonal, locally sourced menu. Guests enjoyed Beetroot and Jawbox Gin cured salmon, Roast Sirloin of Irish Beef with Comber potato purée and a Salted Caramel Chocolate Torte. Elegant plant-based alternatives were also on offer, mirroring each course so every guest experienced Belfast hospitality at its best.
Andrew Dougan, Managing Director, Pan & Pour expressed,
“Excellence, sustainability and local pride are the foundations of everything we do at Pan & Pour and this event reflected that."
Inspired by the legacy of The Open, we were proud to champion Northern Irish suppliers and bring that narrative to life on each plate we served.
WINS BEYOND THE ROUND
The President’s Banquet showcased the capability and versatility of the ICC Belfast team to deliver complex events at scale without compromise. By integrating planning, technical production and hospitality, the venue delivered a seamless gala dinner that felt world-class, combining creative thinking with operational strength to turn a complex brief into a world-class guest experience. The event generated meaningful networking, high-quality content capture and motivation across the region’s business community, keeping the prosperity theme in full swing.
Planning a gala dinner, awards ceremony or corporate celebration in Belfast? The ICC Belfast team are ready to curate an experience that elevates your event and leaves your guests wanting more.
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