Ireland’s economy is far from what it was in the boom years of the 90s. In March 2012, official figures marked the country’s fall back into recession following a bailout in 2010.
Despite the Republic’s economic turmoil, the country’s meetings and tourism industries have fought economic losses with an enhanced level of investment in its infrastructure. The past two years have been a positive time for Ireland’s meetings industry with the opening of The Convention Centre, Dublin (pictured above).
According to the Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers (AIPCO) business tourism in Ireland is experiencing a 326 per cent surge in delegate numbers in 2012 compared with 2011, injecting €104m (£81m) into the local economy.
“The recession has turned out to be a net benefit for Ireland,” Regional Director for Association Relations at MCI Group and AIPCO Chair, Jean Evans, tells CN.
“Hotel rooms are the second most competitive in Western Europe, our connectivity is fantastic with the low cost airlines and our VAT exemption and reclaim opportunities mean that our business case is strong.
“If in the past, during the Celtic Tiger times, we were considered expensive, now we are keenly priced and our quality-price ratio is just second to none. Our Emerald Isle is now able to offer a wider variety of solutions to associations that wouldn’t have been previously possible,” she adds.
Dublin Convention Bureau’s Business Tourism Manager, Miriam Kennedy, says: “The economic downturn in Ireland came after 10 years of solid investment in our infrastructure and hospitality sector and so many planners are seeing Dublin in a new light. Quality without the price tag.
“Dublin has a new convention centre, a strong hotel offering, which has seen even further investment recently, and a foodie culture that makes our restaurants cutting edge yet affordable.”
“Our conference and incentive business, particularly from North America, has benefitted from this in the last three years,” she adds.
New meetings infrastructure on board recently includes The Ballsbridge Hotel, which has opened a conference centre for 1,000 delegates. It features one of Dublin’s largest ballrooms and 13 meeting rooms.
The Temple Bar Cultural Trust has recently installed a retractable canopy in Meeting House Square to create an all-weather cultural venue for Temple Bar, Dublin’s Cultural Quarter. Meeting House Square can accommodate up to 866 delegates.
Two years since its opening, The Convention Centre, Dublin (CCD) has welcomed over 535 congresses and events. Recent wins include the 2013 Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland Congress, the 2018 International Commission on Occupational Health Congress and European Society of Coloproctology Annual Meeting in 2015.
“Our primary target market is high value international association conferences,” says The CCD’s CEO Nick Waight. “Also the UK and Irish association market, and international corporate brands.
The CCD recently won Best Conference Events Venue, Best Event Venue and Best In-House Events Team at this year’s Event Industry Awards for the Irish events industry. In addition, CCD Hospitality, managed by Fitzers Catering, took home the Best Banqueting Team award. To date, The CCD has won 15 industry awards.
Recent figures on the business tourism activity in the city show Dublin attracts 35 per cent incentives, 32 per cent international association conferences, 25 per cent corporate meetings and five per cent concentives.
“Our research has shown that on average delegates visiting Dublin will stay on for at least two days pre- or post-event and, with Belfast two hours drive from Dublin, we have been marketing Titantic Belfast as a must do,” says Kennedy.
This was first published in the August issue of Conference News. Any comments? Email sarah@mashmedia.net
