It was fitting that a conference geared to looking towards the future and new relationships should be held in Belfast, a city also looking to the future and new relationships.

"The mood here is very progressive and very much looking towards the future and that is what Network Ireland is about," said Ms Aideen Connor of Creative Consultants and one of the members of the organising committee.

The president of Network Ireland, Ms Fran Murrin, said it was a symbolic gesture to hold the conference in Belfast. "It seemed to be a small gesture that the national organisation for women in business could make in support of building bridges between North and South and creating a climate where peace might become possible and real," said Ms Murrin.

"I think there is a great vibrancy here and we got a very warm welcome from our Northern Ireland colleagues. I'm particularly happy it's in Belfast this year and I'm looking forward to continued communication with our friends in Northern Ireland," said Ms Teresa Brennan of Lorimat Jewellers in Kilkenny.

Overall, delegates were impressed with the organisation of the conference and the quality of speakers.

"It was very good from the point of view of content and presentation," said Ms Pauline Murphy of the Women's Opportunity Unit at the University of Ulster. "It provides a lot of food for thought and what I really thought was energising and encouraging is the fact that this dialogue is going on amongst all of these powerful women."

Ms Dolores McCarthy from the Women In Business Initiative said: "It's interesting to see women discuss things like leadership and management issues - the hard edge of business - yet in a very down to earth manner. It's also interesting that the focus is on looking forward and not looking back. It's about embracing change."