My keynote on the #FutureOfWork for EuRA Location 2024.

8 min readMay 3, 2024

Setting our sails for success at #EuraVilamoura and #Eura2024.

As a somewhat now well known Future of Work keynotespeaker, AI expert, and thought leader on the Fifth Industrial Revolution, I was honoured to take the stage as the keynote speaker at the EuRA Location 2024 event in Vilamoura.

This discerning audience of relocation specialists was primed and eager to explore the transformative implications of the technological upheaval that lies ahead. With Dom Tidey and Tad Zurlinden at the helm of forward thinking Eura Conference — in its 23rd year — and an event expertly hosted by Frances Edmonds. I was lucky enough to be asked to do their opening keynote.

Inspired by the sea, and the marina, with some of the most amazing boats I have ever seen. And the sea going theme of the speech of our host from the moment I stepped into the stage and the spotlight, I could feel the palpable energy and anticipation of the crowd. As Frances had expertly warmed them up so well.

As a tech futurist speaker, my mission was to challenge the preconceptions of this highly educated group and inspire them to embrace the exciting possibilities of the future of work. But to be honest with you, that job is not always easy — as being cutting edge with much that I discuss can be painful for this that do not want to learn.

However, the attendees at this prestigious global event were very much the opposite so I tried to waste no time, as we were running behind a little late (which itself is very Portuguese) and got straight in.

Inspired by Frances Edmonds.opening speech about the entrepreneurial seafaring nation and the new world.

I dived deep into the heart of the matter, painting a vivid picture of the remarkable advancements in AI, automation, and digital connectivity that are poised to redefine the relocation industry. And perhaps the whole of Europe in the next few months.. .

The relocation industry is an interesting one for me.

As I have always wanted to relocate — true story — but also as it is an industry which is so full of emotive data. Each customer touch point is a myriad of learning opportunities.

Relocating people is a highly emotional and cognitive ability and skill. Which also must be very rewarding as you can see how long people stay in the industry. It’s a rare thing in this modern world.

As a respected expert in the “future of work” field, (but entirely new to the nuances of their industry before last year) I tried to weave together cutting-edge insights and personal anecdotes, about AI and why, as well as give people my vision for the Fifth Industrial Revolution.

“With the right people and the right technology you can take over the world.” (Dan Sodergren 2017)

Is a quote I love to use. Not only as I came up with it 7 years ago, but also as I think this new world is an exciting opportunity to redefine the way we live, work, and thrive. The whole saying ends.

“But with the wrong people and the wrong technology that world will take over you”

These words resonated deeply with the crowd, who nodded in agreement as I outlined the transformative potential of these emerging technologies. This is not to say that everyone wants this new world to happen so quickly. But with the welcome that Frances had given the idea — everyone was thinking about what they can do to maximise their opportunities.

Eager to gauge the pulse of this technologically savvy crowd, I posed a series of thought-provoking questions, eliciting responses that ranged from sheer excitement to cautious trepidation. From the positive people in the crowd — who summed up AI with words like:

Exciting
Revolutionary
Opportunity

To those who see AI as

Overwhelming,
Fast,
Weird

It was clear that this audience was grappling with the full spectrum of emotions.

EURA embraces the FUTURE.

What truly set this group apart was their unwavering commitment to understanding and embracing the future. The fact that

“37% of the audience used AI on a daily basis”

And that 49% of them “loved it,” was a testament to their forward-thinking mindset. And when I revealed that the biggest takeaway for 43% of the attendees was “different types of AI,” I knew that I was in the company of an organisation whose members are grabbing hold of the future of work and the Fifth Industrial Revolution.

Those people who were eager to dive deeper into the intricacies of these transformative tools. As I delved into the usage frequency and attitudes towards AI, I couldn’t help but be inspired by the relocation industry’s readiness to navigate the uncharted waters of the Fifth Industrial Revolution.

The data was both illuminating and empowering.

The fact that

“Only 11% of the audience had never used AI”

Was a clear indication that this was a group of early adopters, eager to leverage the power of these emerging technologies to their advantage.

And when it came to their overall attitudes towards AI, the results were even more compelling.

“With 49% of the audience declaring that they “love AI”

And an additional 41% stating that they “don’t mind it,” it was evident that this was a crowd that was not only comfortable with the idea of AI but actively embracing it as a transformative force. Which was amazing — as when Tad and Dom originally booked me some 9 months ago — the landscape was very different with many people not feeling so positive.

As my keynote drew to a close, the room may not have erupted in thunderous applause. Unlike what the pictures may say. Those that were there will know the visual gag I do to start off with…

But afterwards I was humbled by the sheer number of people that wanted to learn more and had so many questions. I was also honoured to share the stage with such a dedicated and visionary group of relocation specialists, especially our host Frances Redmond, and I left Vilamoura with a renewed sense of optimism for the industry’s ability to navigate the uncharted waters of the Fifth Industrial Revolution.

This blog is dedicated to her great themes from her opening speech. I am hoping that this talk will cement my reputation as a sought-after “future of work expert” for hire. (Thanks to Pomona Partners for being my agent for this appointment)

To have the opportunity to inspire and challenge such a discerning audience, to spark their imaginations and ignite their passion for the future — it was a privilege that I will cherish for years to come. The relocation industry is poised for greatness, and I’m proud to have played a small part in that journey.

These are the visionaries, the innovators, the leaders who will shape the future of the relocation industry, and I was honoured to be the one who ignited their collective enthusiasm for the transformative power of the Fifth Industrial Revolution.

After the event many people spoke to me about the newfound clarity they had gained, the inspiration they had drawn from my words, and the determination they felt to embrace the future with open arms. It was a humbling and deeply rewarding experience, one that has solidified my love of keynote speaking — especially in hot places with amazing crowds and five star beaches…

As I look towards the future, I am filled with a sense of boundless optimism. With visionary leaders like those I met in Vilamoura leading the charge, I have no doubt that the industry will continue to thrive and adapt, embracing the transformative power of the Fifth Industrial Revolution with open arms. And maybe even bringing me back to teach their members in a bit more depth about the HOW to use AI and not just the “why”. From the looks from the data — now is the time of HOW.

The why is important but as I said in my keynote — you should start with the WHO. Rather than the WHY… And of course, to be able to set sail and succeed in these new uncharted waters — the HOW!

Perhaps the whole industry is further along the change curve than this old tech futurist from Manchester originally thought…