Do You Want a Kickoff… or a Knockout?
World-First Business Leadership Summit Announced for Belfast as City Positions Itself as a Global Business Hub.
Belfast, Northern Ireland – Every January, businesses gather their teams for a sales kickoff – but in 2026, leaders from across the UK and Ireland are being challenged to go further:
Do you want another kick-off… or do you want a knockout?
That answer arrives in Belfast as the city welcomes DARE KO 2026, a world-first immersive business performance event taking over ICC (International Convention Centre) Belfast on January 28. Supported by Visit Belfast, DARE KO 2026 is set to unite up to 1,000 business leaders, sales professionals, and decision-makers for a high-impact day of performance coaching, negotiation mastery, and transformational leadership sessions.
Created by DARE Ltd – led by former IBM and Honeywell executive Marie Tyler, alongside elite performance coaches and former hostage negotiators – the event is designed to help leaders perform under pressure, change behaviour fast, and turn strategy into measurable results.
“We chose Belfast because it’s a city with a story – past grit and future ambition. It’s home to world-class spaces like ICC Belfast, and a team like Visit Belfast that’s redefining how destinations support transformative events,” said Marie Tyler, Co-Founder of DARE Ltd.
“This is more than a conference, it’s a knockout moment for Belfast to show the world how business gets done here.”
According to PwC’s 2024 CEO Survey, 45% of UK CEOs say their business won’t survive the next decade without reinvention, DARE KO 2026 is designed to meet that need with evidence-based tools and elite coaching that help organisations stay competitive.
A NEW KIND OF KICKOFF EXPERIENCE
DARE KO 2026 is all about participation, energy, and real-world application.
- Delegates will sit at tables of 8 for discussion-driven learning
- Content is built around live coaching, expert challenges, and real-world toolkits
- Every session includes a strategic takeaway that can be used immediately
- Focus on dialogue, reflection, and performance habits, not passive listening
It’s not just a summit, it’s an experience!
SPEAKER LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS
Featuring experts in:
📖 Victoria Brown – Brand expert, Top 100 Apple podcaster & former BBC News journalist, unlocking the power of storytelling in business
Katey Martin & Rebecca Cant MSc DIR.IPSA – Former UK heads of hostage & crisis negotiation, now applying high-pressure influence tactics to the boardroom
Danny Kett – Exclusive launch of The POD Model: solving problems at scale by understanding human behaviour (no space suit needed)
Marie Diane Tyler DIR.IPSA Tyler – Our Co-founder, MC & host; former IBM apprentice turned Honeywell leader, showing brands how to lead with clarity and confidence
Wit + Grit Podcast Dad Duo – Up-and-coming voices reshaping conversations on confidence, resilience and hard-earned skill
Paul Sullivan – GTM strategist & author on building people-led, AI-optimised sales and marketing engines
Carl Frampton MBE – World champion boxer, TEDx speaker and all-round powerhouse on turning failure into forward motion
ABOUT DARE LTD
Founded by Marie Tyler, Becks Cant, and Katey Martin, DARE Ltd helps leaders and teams improve performance through communication mastery, negotiation skill, and behaviour change. While the company operates globally, co-founder Marie Tyler is based in Belfast, making this event a strategic milestone in the city’s business and leadership journey.
“We designed DARE KO to move people, to unlock real competence, confidence, and commercial clarity. And Belfast is the perfect place to launch a movement like this,” said Co-Founder Marie Tyler.
BELFAST LEADS WITH COLLABORATION
The launch is delivered in collaboration with Visit Belfast and hosted by ICC Belfast, showcasing the city’s capacity to host bold, purpose-driven business events.
Deborah Collins, Head of Business Events at Visit Belfast, said:
“DARE KO 2026 exemplifies the transformative leadership our business community champions. Belfast’s compelling story and ambitious future are perfectly showcased through this summit, bringing together visionaries to ignite innovation and growth”
Ross Moffett, Head of Sales at ICC Belfast, added:
“We are delighted to be hosting DARE KO 2026, which is set to be a defining event in the city’s leadership calendar. With its immersive format and practical insight, it matches perfectly with ICC Belfast’s mission to deliver world-class events that transform people and businesses.”
EVENT-WIDE SUPPORT FOR VISITORS
To support the expected influx of leaders traveling from outside Belfast, a range of hotels and transport partners have joined with DARE Ltd and Visit Belfast to offer exclusive discounted rates on accommodation and travel.
- Preferred hotel partners for DARE KO 2026 will offer special event rates to delegates
- Booking links and travel tips will be shared with attendees directly upon registration
- Belfast’s compact city footprint and direct access via air, rail, and sea make it a welcoming destination for visitors nationwide
It’s all part of a shared mission to give every attendee a seamless and inspiring Belfast experience.
WHAT’S NEXT
- Business sponsor announcements coming soon
- Interviews with speakers
🎟️ TICKETS NOW LIVE