Leading Sports Conference Returns to Belfast Ahead of U.S. College Hockey Showcase

Taking place at W5, Northern Ireland’s award-winning science and discovery centre, for the first time since 2024, PER4MANCE will bring together experts, innovators, and elite performers from across the world of professional sports. Aiming to explore the latest trends and research in shaping the future of sports, the half-day summit will see a host of high-level speakers discuss topics, including leadership, high performance, and health and wellbeing.

Set against the backdrop of the prestigious Friendship Four, which is the first and only NCAA Division One men’s ice hockey tournament to take place outside North America, PER4MANCE will look to provide practical insights into the ever-changing landscape of elite level performance.

Steve Thornton, Sports Director at The Odyssey Trust, said: “We’re delighted to welcome PER4MANCE back to Belfast, particularly as excitement builds ahead of the return of the Friendship Four. Events like this provide an important opportunity to bring together some of the leading minds in sports performance, share expertise, and strengthen connections between professional sports and the wider sporting community.

“Belfast has established itself as a fantastic destination for international sporting events, and we’re proud to play our part in creating opportunities that extend well beyond the action on the ice.”

With former Ulster Rugby and Ireland international Andrew Trimble, two division world champion boxer Carl Frampton, talismanic Northern Ireland men’s national team head coach Michael O’Neill, multi-time Stanley Cup-winning coach and iconic broadcaster Pierre McGuire, and Olympic legend Lady Mary Peters confirmed as guest speakers, with more to follow, PER4MANCE is once again expected to attract a diverse audience, including sports professionals, tech startups, and industry-leading experts.

Following PER4MANCE, the Friendship Four gets underway at The O2 Belfast on Friday 27 November, with Providence College, the University of Minnesota Duluth, Colgate University, and the University of Connecticut going head-to-head for the Belpot Trophy at the home of the Belfast Giants.

PER4MANCE takes place from 8:30am to 12:30pm on Thursday 26 November, with the full lineup of guest speakers set to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are on sale now and available to purchase via Ticket Tailor here.