Validated Expert info
Expert can perform Ad hoc expertise missions at network and programme level in relation to:
1. The design and delivery of (transnational) exchange and learning activities
2. Thematic expertise:
> Local economy
3. Methods and tools for integrated and participatory approaches:
> Integrated and participatory design of strategies
> Monitoring and evaluation for effective implementation
Summary
Gail McGibbon is the CEO of Sligo Business Improvement District (BID) and has worked internationally before returning to her home town of Sligo, Ireland in 2014. Gail has a background in business development, revenue generation, strategic planning, events, destination building and town centre management. A former Chamber of Commerce CEO and CEO of one Ireland’s leading inbound tour operators, Gail has a distinguished reputation across communications, tourism, sales and marketing campaigns, event management, place making and place management.
As the first Town Centre Manager in the Republic of Ireland, Gail works with business development units in towns and cities in developing a cogent plan for a destination. To date, Gail has secured in excess of €4million in funding for projects. Gail represented the ROI towns and cities on the Advisory Council and Board of the Association of Town and City Management, UK and Ireland – the largest network of towns and cities in Europe. Gail is a Senior Assessor for the Evening and Night Time Economy internationally accredited award, the Purple Flag and regularly assesses ENTE in towns and cities across the UK and Ireland. Gail was the project lead for Sligo on the Collaborative Town Centre Health Check, Heritage Council of Ireland programme, founder member of the Irish Town and City Development Association and a Fellow of the Institute of Place Management UK and Ireland. Gail was recently invited to join the Advisory Council of British BIDs, UK and Ireland.
As CEO of Sligo BID, Gail has actively engaged in the submissions and presentations to the recently released Town Centre First Policy and presented on behalf of 22 Irish towns and cities to the Governments Night Time Economy taskforce in 2021, led out on the URBACT funded cities@heart project for Sligo, and presented to European, Chinese and South Korean cities. A regular international panel speaker for placemaking organisations, Gail’s work on behalf of Sligo BID has been selected as examples of best practice and case studies in several European Union programmes and publications. She was awarded the Inspirational Leader award by the Association of Town and City Management in 2025, the first Irish person and first woman to receive this prestigious and international award.
Gail has a unique ability to devise programmes and solutions based on data and experience while also creating strong foundations for new partnerships that go beyond any project or pilot window with tact and a great dose of Irish humour. A phonecall or coffee with her can re-energise anyone looking to make positive, lasting change for their town or city or country!