Seen and Heard

A pop-up coworking and connection day for Belfast’s independent business community

What we are all about

Seen and Heard is a pop-up coworking, networking and learning day for freelancers, freelance professionals, startup enterprises, founders, small-business owners and anyone working independently. The goal is simple: to bring good people together and give everyone the opportunity to be seen, heard and genuinely connected.

Register here

This is an event for the people, by the people.

Across the day, you can expect short lightning talks, practical workshops, structured pod conversations and plenty of time to meet other people from Belfast’s freelance and startup community. Hot-desking space will also be available for anyone who needs to get some work done between sessions.

We’re providing the framework, but what you get from the day will depend on how you use it. (Think, Edinburgh Fringe) Join the conversations, introduce yourself, ask questions and make the most of the people in the room!

Learn more

What’s happening?

  • Lightning talks

    A lightning talk is a short talk lasting no more than five minutes.

    Each speaker will share one useful or important piece of information relevant to the people attending the event. There will be four lightning talks in the morning and four in the afternoon, with each set followed by a 20-minute Q&A.

    They’re short, focused and designed to give you something useful to think about, talk about or put into practice.

  • Workshops

    The workshops provide space for a longer discussion or presentation on a particular subject.

    Topics may include areas such as health and wellbeing, AI, networking and other practical business subjects, led by people with experience in those areas.

    Workshops will run across four rooms and places will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no central advance-booking system for individual sessions.

  • Round Tables

    Small meeting rooms used for structured group conversations.

    Each pod will have a theme chosen by the pod leader, along with a series of questions to guide the discussion. Everyone will be given an equal opportunity to speak, with approximately two minutes to answer each question.

    Pod places are limited to five, helping to keep the conversations comfortable, focused and balanced. Places will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Coworking

    Seen and Heard is also a pop-up coworking day.

    Coworking brings people from different businesses together in one shared working environment. Tables will be available for hot-desking, so you can bring your laptop, connect to the Wi-Fi and work during the day.

    You could come along and work all day without attending any of the activities but, honestly, you’d be missing the best part. The talks, workshops, pods and conversations are where the real opportunities to learn and connect will happen.

The shape of the day

  • Please arrive promptly. Everyone must enter through reception and will be escorted into the Accelerator in batches. You must have an Eventbrite ticket to receive an access card for the day.

    The first 20 minutes will give you time to enter the building, find the main event area and take your seat. While there may be a little informal networking during this time, we need everyone seated and ready by 9.20am.

  • JP Taggart the Master of ceremonies will formally open the day.

  • · Four lightning talks

    · 20-minute Q&A

    · Four workshop rooms

    · Three structured pod conversations

    · Coworking and informal networking

  • The lunch break will last approximately 90 minutes. Lunch is not provided, so please bring something with you or purchase lunch nearby or from the facilities available in the building.

    More importantly, don’t think of this as only a lunch break. It is one of the main networking opportunities of the day, a chance to speak with the lightning-talk speakers, workshop and pod leaders, or someone you noticed during the morning.

  • · Four lightning talks

    · 20-minute Q&A

    · Four workshop rooms

    · Three structured pod conversations

    · Coworking and informal networking

  • Some attendees may choose to continue their conversations elsewhere afterwards, but the formal event will finish at 5pm.

GET SEEN & HEARD

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GET SEEN & HEARD

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GET SEEN & HEARD ● GET SEEN & HEARD ●

Choosing your sessions

Access to Workshops and pod conversations can only be booked in advance by contacting the individual workshop leaders on LinkedIn in advance of the day. After that It will be 1st Come 1st Serve until all the seats are filled and spaces, particularly in the five-person pods, will be limited.

Please read the programme before arriving and have an idea of which sessions you would most like to attend. It is also worth choosing an alternative in case your first choice is already full.

Individual session organisers may invite or communicate directly with prospective attendees, and attendees may also contact session organisers where their details have been provided.

Register here

Our Speakers & Facilitators

Martin Gilchrist

With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience. They set the tone for everything we do.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilchristandco/

Founder

Juliana Germinio

Founder of Yellow Zest  - Workshop

What makes a strong brand? Get seen, trusted and remembered in 3 seconds or less with this branding workshop.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianagerminio/

Coach & Facilitator - Lightning talk

Fiona Scott

My work emphasises empowering leaders to inspire and enable their teams while achieving organisational goals. Combining certifications in executive and systemic team coaching with a focus on people development, I deliver tailored solutions to enhance leadership capabilities across diverse sectors.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-scott-49725818/

Rachel McMullin

Founder of FreQNC -  Lightning talk

My lightning talk explores a question we’re not asking enough as AI becomes embedded in our work: what happens to the humans who are still accountable? I’ll explore why human judgement could become the new bottleneck - and share a simple way to think about whether our capacity to effectively oversee AI is keeping pace with its capabilities.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmargaretmcmullin/

JP Taggart

Leadership & Management Consultancy - MC

I work one-to-one with Individuals, Leaders, Managers and Employees to achieve their Personal and Professional success, through a method of Coaching, Mentoring and simply rolling my sleeves up and seeing things from their perspective.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jptaggartcoreimpact/

Adrian Davis

Founder & Lead Consultant of a local Environmental/ Sustainability Consultancy

Talk and workshop about how you can reduce costs be operating more sustainably/ responsibly, calculate carbon emissions etc and add value to your business through improving sustainable practices.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriandavis1974/

Rebecca Hynds

Software subscription education and awareness

Leadership starts with you - how you can lead with confidence and influence with purpose

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hynds-912aa974/

Lorraine Browne

Founder of Belleverita

The Power of the Ask: Unlocking the Room’ is an interactive networking workshop designed to move beyond surface-level conversations and create meaningful, useful connections.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraine-browne-b57442160/

Jim Montgomery

Founder, Ideorix

ITBC
Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesharveymedia/?skipRedirect=true

Andy Cranston

Founder & owner - Cranston Innovation

"is problem solving a skill that can be learned or simply a quality that people either have or don't have?". My structured tallk will get people to think about what problem solving is and how we are all solving problems constantly even though we may not realise it.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-cranston-innovation/

Colly Graham

International Sales Trainer, Keynote Speaker, Author - Workshop

Most professionals entering the age of artificial intelligence are asking the wrong question. They are asking what AI will take from them, when the question that actually determines their future is what they bring that AI never will. This session is about that.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salesxcellence/

Dr. Gary Bradley

Musician, Psychologist. Coaching psychologist and researcher - Roundtable

I am concerned with the health and well-being of others. This is an opportunity to meet and share with people that can benefit from this and to support this network initiative as a valuable resource.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-gary-bradley-39635117/

Steve Mcnally

Founder of RealisingX.com | Executive Coaching, Team Building - Lightning talk

In 5 mins participants will be given a sharp reminder of 3 characteristics to reflect on if they want to start winning the attention game.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mcnally-realisingx/

Mary Pagano

Founder & CEO | Hera Media Group CEO - Workshop

My workshop will be about how 1 person can make a difference/impact on humanity and the planet.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marypagano/

Edel Owens

Nutrition & Health Coach - Workshop

7 clear action steps on how to reduce menopausal symptoms through diet

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thewholefoodhero/

Una Cox

AI Innovation Lead - Workshop

Seen and heard — but are you read and understood? "The quality of an organisation's writing is one of the greatest determiners of success — and one of the least recognised." Join me to learn more about the principles of clear communication and understand why writing quality matters in the age of AI

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/una-cox-/

Claire Auchmuty

Relationship and Divorce Coach - Workshop

How to build rapport in 5 mins or less so that people will want what you have. Gain insights into how important relationship skills are for a business owner-esp in the area of selling.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-auchmuty-divorcecoach/

Rachel Major-Bird

Speaker & Life Coach - Workshop

Learn how to fall in love with Public Speaking to grow your business. The experience of communicating with confidence through powerful storytelling to win business. To speak with Authentic Authority and have presence.

Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-major-bird-coaching-633520105/

And more!

 

Getting there

Ulster Bank Belfast City OfficeBelfast, Northern Ireland

Thursday 27 August  •  9 AM - 5 PM

Public transport is the recommended way to reach the venue.

There are privately operated parking spaces behind the Ulster Bank building at the NCP Parking Lot, but these are not connected with the bank or the event. Parking is not guaranteed, so please make your own arrangements in advance if you intend to drive.

As the event is taking place in a private building with security, attendees will be admitted through reception and escorted into the Accelerator in batches. Please allow enough time to enter, receive your access card and be seated by 9.25am.

What to bring

· Your event-registration confirmation

· A laptop and charger if you plan to cowork

· A bottle of water

· Lunch or money to purchase something nearby

· An idea of the workshops and pods you would like to attend

· A little curiosity and a willingness to start a conversation

Register here

Contact

Seen and Heard is organised by Martin Gilchrist and Juliana Germínio. We cannot wait to see you there!

You can contact Martin or Juliana through LinkedIn. Contact information and event updates will also be available on the event page.

MARTIN’S LINKEDIN PROFILE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilchristandco

JULIANA’S LINKEDIN PROFILE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianagerminio

EVENT PAGE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/seen-heard-apop-upcoworkingdayi7479244269585813504

TICKET PAGE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-seen-heard-pop-up-coworking-day-at-the-ulster-bank-accelerator-tickets-1997780243487

GET SEEN & HEARD

Register here