25th October 2013
By Bryan T. Smyth
news@TheCork.ie
The Cork Convention Bureau (CCB) has welcomed the recent announcement of a large scale dedicated conference and events centre for Cork with the government pledging €10 million towards the development in the recent budget. By this the government are recognising the potential for a wide range of Cork businesses, mainly in the SME sector, if more large scale events and conferences are attracted to the region with improved facilities.
Evelyn O’Sullivan General Manager of the CCB states
“The recent announcement will have a hugely positive impact on the hospitality sector and businesses in general in the region. Over 8,000 conference visitors came to Cork in 2012. Each international visitor has an average spend of €1,400 across a wide range of sectors from retail, to transport, hospitality to entertainment and leisure. If we can grow these visitor numbers by offering a large scale conference and events centre, the whole region will benefit.”
Evelyn added
“CCB is already well placed to identify and proactive attract business that could come to Cork, as we are constantly promoting the region on a worldwide platform, but larger facilities than what currently exists in the region are needed if we are to attract even more visitors from this very lucrative sector.”
Cork Convention Bureau is a public-private partnership that promotes the Cork region as a destination for business tourism (i.e. for meetings, incentives, conferences and events) and generates opportunities for major influencers to come to Cork and experience the wealth of facilities on offer.
Evelyn stated
“The lack of a large scale dedicated conference and events centre has been a big stumbling block, but despite this we have achieved some major international conferences in the past number of years. What we lack in current facilities we have been able to compensate by ease of access, cost effectiveness and the warmth and friendliness of the people in the region – which we know is second to none. With the introduction of the new facility Cork can now compete on a fairly level playing field internationally and we look forward to this.”
Evelyn finished by stating
“Cork Convention Bureau has the advantage of having both of the local authorities as key stakeholders as well as IHF Cork Branch, Cork Airport, Cork Chamber and Fáilte so we are well placed to support and work with the developers and operators of the centre at all stages and remaining at the forefront of driving new conference and meetings business into the Cork region.”
