The rules of international trade are changing – and waiting to see what happens could become an expensive strategy.

New carbon costs, evolving customs requirements and increasingly complex supply chains are creating major questions for businesses across the UK and Ireland.

How will CBAM affect your margins? Is your supply chain ready? Could Northern Ireland’s dual-market access unlock new growth? Where can your business find the funding and support needed to expand?

On Thursday, 1 October 2026, the people helping businesses answer these questions will come together at ICC Belfast for the Beyond Borders Summit Belfast.

Hosted by Allied Group, this one-day business growth summit will bring leaders, innovators and decision-makers into the same room to explore the future of international trade, sustainability, compliance and cross-border growth.

If your organisation imports, exports, manufactures or relies on an international supply chain, this is one room you will want to be in.

More Than a Conference ; Beyond Borders Summit Belfast – A Practical Business Growth Experience

Beyond Borders has been designed to provide more than general commentary about changing regulations.

Throughout the day, attendees will hear practical guidance, join live discussions, learn from real business experiences and connect directly with people navigating the same challenges.

The programme includes:

• Expert presentations on CBAM, sustainability and carbon reporting
• Practical insight into customs and the Windsor Framework
• Two expert panel discussions followed by live audience Q&As
• Guidance on Northern Ireland’s dual access to UK and EU markets
• Discussion of supply-chain resilience and international growth
• Insight into funding and business support
• Coffee, lunch and purposeful networking with fellow decision-makers

You will leave with clearer answers, stronger connections and practical next steps- not simply another notebook full of ideas.

Hear From Experts Shaping the Conversation

Beyond Borders will feature confirmed business leaders and specialists with direct experience across carbon compliance, trade, technology and international growth.

Jan Joost of Dubrink & IACBAM will explain what CBAM is and how it is beginning to affect businesses. His session will help attendees understand why carbon reporting can no longer be treated as a distant compliance issue.

Kieran Kelly of Allied Group, powered by Ubloquity, will explore CBAM tracking requirements and the solutions available to businesses preparing for the new trading environment.

A dedicated panel will then examine the next era of European trade regulation, including the impact of CBAM on steel and manufacturing supply chains. Confirmed contributors include Benjamin Steven, Ebby Toal of Allied Group and Jan Joost, Dubrink.

These sessions will give attendees an opportunity to hear different industry perspectives- and put their questions directly to the panel during a live Q&A.

Discover the Strategic Value of Dual-Market Access

Northern Ireland’s access to both the UK and EU markets creates a position few other regions can offer.

But access alone does not create growth. Businesses need to understand how to use it strategically.

Conor Houston will explore why global investors are interested in Northern Ireland, the geopolitical importance of its position and how dual-market access can support supply-chain resilience and long-term business growth.

Alastair James will examine what dual-market access means in practical terms, including the opportunities available to manufacturers, agri-food businesses and exporters.

The afternoon panel, hosted by Jim Fitzpatrick, will bring together voices from across business and trade to discuss:

• Economic trends affecting importers and exporters
• What Irish and Northern Irish companies need to scale internationally
• Dual-market access and customs
• The future of sustainable trade
• How to grow cross-border operations without creating operational chaos

Confirmed panellists include Kieran McCann of Allied Group and Alastair James, with additional contributors to be announced.

With parts of the programme still being finalised, the speaker line-up and depth of expertise are continuing to grow – giving businesses even more reason to secure a place early.

Prepare for CBAM Before It Reaches Your Bottom Line

For businesses importing products such as steel, cement, fertiliser and hydrogen, CBAM may bring serious financial and operational consequences.

Businesses that are not prepared could face:

• Rising carbon-related costs
• Pressure on profit margins
• New reporting and compliance responsibilities
• Disruption caused by missing supplier information
• Penalties and unnecessary operational expense

Beyond Borders will help leaders understand what is coming and what they can do now to prepare.

You will gain practical insight into how CBAM and carbon reporting may affect your organisation, how to protect your margins and how to begin strengthening your supply chain before the pressure intensifies.

The businesses that act early will have more time to adapt, negotiate with suppliers and build compliance into their growth plans. Those that wait may find themselves responding after the costs have already arrived.

Build Relationships That Continue Beyond the Summit ; Beyond Borders Summit Belfast 

Some of the most valuable conversations at a business event happen away from the stage.

Beyond Borders has been structured to create genuine opportunities for connection throughout the day. Coffee and registration provide an informal start, lunch offers time for more substantial conversations, and the programme concludes with a dedicated networking session.

Attendees will have opportunities to meet:

• Importers and exporters
• Manufacturers and supply-chain leaders
• Sustainability and compliance specialists
• Technology providers
• Business-support and funding organisations
• Founders, directors and senior decision-makers

This is not networking built around collecting as many business cards as possible. It is an opportunity to meet people who understand the realities of cross-border business and could become future partners, advisers, suppliers or customers.

One conversation could help solve a compliance problem. Another could open the door to a new market. The connection that changes your next year of business may be waiting in the room.

What You Will Walk Away With

By the end of the summit, you will have:

• A clearer plan for growing beyond borders
• A stronger understanding of CBAM and carbon reporting
• Practical ideas for protecting your margins
• Ways to reduce trade, compliance and supply-chain risk
• Insight into UK and EU market opportunities
• Greater awareness of available funding and support
• New relationships with people who can help your business move forward
• Clear next steps to protect and scale your organisation

Event Details

Event: Grow Your Business Beyond Borders – Live in Belfast

Date: Thursday, 1 October 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Venue: ICC Belfast, 2 Lanyon Place, Belfast BT1 3WH
Ticket: £75 per person
Included: Expert sessions, panel discussions, live Q&As, lunch and networking
Refund policy: No refunds

Discounts may be available for group bookings. Contact meagan@allied-group.co.uk for details.

Will Your Business Be in the Room?

Cross-border trade is entering a new chapter. The organisations that understand the changes early will be better placed to protect their margins, strengthen their supply chains and identify new opportunities.

Beyond Borders brings the insight, expertise and connections needed to start preparing.

Places bring together a focused community of business leaders, trade specialists and decision-makers – and missing the summit could mean missing the conversations your competitors are already preparing to have.

Don’t wait for new regulations and carbon costs to force your next move. Secure your place at the Beyond Borders Summit today.

Come for the insight. Leave with a clearer strategy, valuable connections and the confidence to grow beyond borders.