The meeting, incentive, conference and events (MICE) industry is worth €500m to the Republic of Ireland and it is estimated that 60 per cent of this business is held in its capital, Dublin.
Association conferences accounted for 66 per cent of the city’s events business from 2009 to 2013 with corporate business standing at 29 per cent and incentives at five per cent. There was a big increase in association wins in 2012 and 2013 with both years more than doubling the number of events since 2011.
“This year’s permance has in some ways been affected by Ireland’s European Union Presidency, which occupies a great deal of the available meetings space in the city, but the later part of 2013 is perming very strongly, and we anticipate 2013 will be at least on par with 2012,” Failte Ireland’s Director of Visit Dublin and Head of Events Ireland, Keith McCormack tells CN.
Notable recent convention wins include the One Young World Summit 2014, which is expected to attract 1,600 delegates and Radiodays 2014 for 1,000 delegates, both at The Convention Centre, Dublin (CCD). The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Meetings in 2015 will bring 800 delegates.
Many of the largest international convention wins can be attributed to the Dublin Convention Bureau’s (DCB) innovative sales approach and Conference Ambassador Programme. “Our ambassadors relish the challenge and engage with the initiative as a matter of pride,” says McCormack.
The programme is expected to deliver €185m between now and 2018 in international conferences for Dublin with each delegate worth between €1,200-1,400 to the local economy.
“The main areas of support available through the programme come in three categories: assistance with bids; site inspections; and, as required, the subsequent marketing of conferences once they have been confirmed,” says McCormack. “And, of course, expert assistance with accommodation and venuefinding can also be accessed.”
In raising the profile of Dublin as a ‘convention city’, the opening of the CCD has put Dublin on the map for large associations and corporates and encouraged them to consider Dublin, when they might not have otherwise done so.
“Business tourism providers in Dublin from hotels, venues and transport suppliers have been quick to adapt to the needs of both international delegates and meeting planners,” says McCormack. “Leisure attractions by day such as the Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse turn into business tourism venues by night hosting dinners of up to 500 and 2,000 guests respectively.”
Both the air coach and Dublin bus now stop at the CCD providing ease of access for international delegates coming from the airport and the city’s Leap Card has improved the overall visitor experience in using public transport in the city.
A free Wi-Fi service has been launched in Dublin, which offers Wi-Fi at 12 locations across the city such as the Dublin City Council Civic Offices at Wood Quay, City hall and St Patrick’s Cathedral.
“Free Wi-Fi in hotels and conference venues, taken as a given by many of us in Ireland, is still seen as a huge plus by any international organisers looking at Dublin as a conference destination,” says McCormack. “The Dublin City Council’s plan to introduce free Wi-Fi in parks and thoroughfares along with the introduction of Wi-Fi on public transport will further enhance our message of Dublin as a high tech, high spec conference destination.”
The Dublin Convention Bureau started this year well when it was awarded Best City Convention Bureau in Europe 2013 at the Annual MICE Report Awards, which recognise excellence in the MICE industry. Its multimedia marketing efforts were also recognised with its Meet in Dublin video awarded third place in the City Tourism category at the International Tourism Media Awards in Berlin.
Hotel upgrades
The city has 20,000 hotel rooms so it is well equipped to cater for large conferences.
Dublin has seen a host of recent investments in its meetings infrastructure recently including the lifestyle-boutique hotel The Morrison undergoing a €7m refurbishment and rebranding as a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. The refurbishment will see the hotel’s 138 rooms and suites completely redesigned by Dublin-based Nikki O’Donnell of NODA and the addition of two new restaurants and a bar. Conference and event space will be available catering for groups from eight to 240 delegates.
The Shelbourne Hotel’s facilities have expanded to include a new, five-star spa set over three floors.
Dublin’s newest design hotel and part of the Leading Hotels of the World collection, The Marker, opened in April 2013 in the heart of the capital’s business district at a cost of €120m. The hotel is within close proximity to the International Financial Services Centre, the new legal quarter of Dublin, the burgeoning technology corridor of ‘Silicon Docks’ and the CCD. It is also close to Dublin’s entertainment venues such as the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, the O2 and Aviva Stadium.
The hotel has 187 guest rooms over six floors. For conferences and exhibitions there are nine meeting rooms and a ballroom/conference space that can host from to 20-250 people.
The Ballsbridge Hotel has recently opened a new conference centre and is home to one of Dublin’s largest ballrooms. With the capacity to cater for up to 1,000 guests and 13 meeting rooms with multi-media capabilities the hotel is in a central location with easy access to Dublin Airport and DART.
Temple Bar Cultural Trust recently installed an Irish-designed retractable canopy in Meeting House Square to create an all-weather cultural venue and experience for Temple Bar, Dublin’s Cultural Quarter. This first of its kind project in Ireland provides endless event possibilities: from cinema screenings and permances to product launches, art exhibitions and photo calls, music, video and film sets. Meeting House Square can accommodate up to 866 delegates standing or 630 seated.
“The blend of traditional and historic with contemporary and dynamic venues appeals to conference organisers looking for venues that meet their technical requirements,” says McCormack. “It is the atmosphere of the city and Irish charm and hospitality that make the destination unique.
World-renowned for a warm welcome and genuine sense of fun, the Irish people’s passion for life promises to entice colleagues and peers from around the globe, guaranteeing high attendance at any international event.”
He adds that the economic downturn in Ireland came after 10 years of solid investment in infrastructure and the hospitality sector, so many planners are seeing Dublin in a new light.
This was first published in the July/August issue of CN. Any comments? E-mail conferencenews@mashmedia.net
