The position of women in business, politics, science and government will be among the topics for discussion at a national conference at the end of the month.

Network Ireland, a forum for professional women to exchange ideas and develop their business contacts, will hold its national conference at the Knockranny House Hotel, Westport on Friday, September 25th.

Over 200 of leading professional women will attend to share ideas under the theme ‘Harnessing Opportunity for Women in Changing Times’.

Network Ireland president Olwen Dawe said the conference was about ensuring that everyone in attendance takes steps "to develop themselves to achieve their potential, participating in changing the representation of women or reviewing how they might best get involved in advancing colleagues or themselves in leadership".

“As an organisation which has, for over 30 years, supported the advancement of women in their chosen professional paths, Network Ireland this year focuses on what can be achieved, and what needs to be done to seize opportunity in a changing economic and social landscape.”

Mayo native, academic and broadcaster Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin will chair the proceedings.

Speakers and workshop facilitators will include Vodafone chief executive Anne O'Leary; MEP Mairead McGuinness; Communications Clinic chair Terry Prone; founder of Women for Election Niamh Gallagher; head of Mayo Enterprise Joanne Grehan; founder and chief executive of Athena Media, Helen Shaw; founder and chief executive of 11890 and Cloud90 Nicola Byrne and chief executive of 4GiftsDirect Lulu O'Sullivan.

Each speaker will describe her own experience of ‘harnessing opportunity’ during a changing economic climate.

Conference sponsors include AIB, Mayo.ie and Enterprise Ireland. Newstalk, the event's media partner, will broadcast live from the event.

Further information on booking is available at networkireland.ie