8 October 2026 | 13:00–15:30
Hotel Palma Bellver, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

EFCI Connect 2026 will bring together EFCI members, CIRCLE participants and stakeholders from across Europe’s cleaning and facility services sector for an afternoon of networking and discussion.

Taking place alongside the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards, the event will explore how artificial intelligence and digitalisation are transforming our industry and what these developments mean for the future of cleaning and facility services.

Programme

• Networking lunch
• Keynote speech and panel discussion on AI and digitalisation
• Interactive exchange with participants

Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Ceris Burns

Founder, CBAi

Ceris Burns is the founder of CBAi and a Chartered Marketer with more than 20 years of experience supporting essential industries. Having worked with organisations including ISS, Mitie, JCB, BICSc and CIWM, she specialises in helping businesses understand and adopt AI in a practical, results-focused way. Through CBAi, Ceris supports organisations in moving from AI uncertainty to AI confidence, demonstrating how artificial intelligence can improve visibility, efficiency and business performance.

Panellist

Aisling Ryan

CEO, Ryans Cleaning

Aisling Ryan is CEO of Ryans Cleaning, one of Ireland’s leading providers of specialist event and commercial cleaning services. She leads the business with a strong focus on operational excellence, innovation and service delivery and is particularly interested in how technology and digitalisation can support frontline teams, improve efficiency and deliver better outcomes for clients.

Panellist

Imre Killi

Founder and CEO, MotorScrubber

Imre Killi began his career over two decades ago repairing commercial cleaning machines before founding MotorScrubber in 2018. He is the driving force behind DRYFT, the world’s first S-Motion scrubber dryer, a patented technology now used by cleaning professionals worldwide. His work focuses on developing faster, smarter and more user-friendly cleaning solutions through innovation and technology.

Panellist

Evelyn Kirchmaier

CEO, Markas

Evelyn Kirchmaier is CEO of Markas, a facility services company operating in Italy, Austria and Germany with more than 13,000 employees. As a member of the EFCI Board, she brings extensive experience in business transformation, digitalisation and service innovation, with a particular focus on the future of work and technology adoption within the cleaning and facility services sector.

Moderator

Avril McCarthy

President, EFCI | CEO, Derrycourt Cleaning Specialists | ICCA (Ireland)

Avril McCarthy is President of EFCI for the 2025-2027 term and CEO of Derrycourt Cleaning Specialists, one of Ireland’s leading cleaning companies. With more than two decades of experience in the contract cleaning sector, Avril is a recognised industry leader and advocate for professionalism, sustainability, training and innovation across the cleaning and facility services industry.