Mossberg trials D for Dublin


25 Jul 2007

Prominent technology journalist for the Wall Street Journal, Walt Mossberg, has been spotted in Dublin visiting possible venues for what he’s calling EuroD, the European leg of the ‘D: All Things Digital’ conference.

The D conference is already in its fifth year in the US and this year played host to what was called “the meeting of the titans” as Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Apple’s Steve Jobs made a rare public appearance together, interviewed by Mossberg.

Kara Swisher, co-creator of the D conference, has accompanied Mossberg on his Irish visit.

She said on the All Things Digital blog that they are “strongly considering Dublin as the location of the [European] event”.

Swisher said they were interested in Dublin as a base for EuroD “for its charm, easy access and, most of all, because of its growing tech sector,” going on to note all the tech companies such as Microsoft, Apple, and Google, with an Irish presence.

She noted that the Irish Development Agency (IDA) has been a D sponsor for the past two years, and said that in her opinion the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has been “aggressive in pushing for things like broadband and other moves to improve the country’s prospects”.

Venues considered for the conference which is hoped to go ahead next Autumn, include Dublin Castle and the Shelbourne Hotel.

The D conference has come to be known as an important industry event, with frank discussions on the impact of digital technology, often with industry leaders using it as a platform to unveil new technology such as Microsoft’s debut of Surface earlier this year.

By Marie Boran