13 February 2015
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Cork Convention Bureau hosted its #CorkInDublin event at Powerscourt
Townhouse this week to highlight all that Cork has to offer as a
destination for international conferences, meetings and events, and to
actively target companies and agencies in Dublin who have the
potential to bring such business to Cork.
The guests that attended are responsible for bringing more than
100,000 international business tourism delegates into Ireland each
year and included over 70 Professional Conference Organisers,
Destination Management Companies, Event Management Companies and large
corporations. Minister Kathleen Lynch also attended the evening.
Cork Convention Bureau highlighted key new developments in the Cork
region, including new conference venues, airline routes and tourism
offerings. The new 6,000 seater Cork Events Centre, which is
scheduled to open in 2018, was very much highlighted on the night. A
lot of international conferences that previously took place in Dublin
are looking for a new Irish venue and the general consensus was that
Cork will be ideal when the events centre is built.
Those attending the event got a true taste of Cork as they met with
over 25 hotel, venue and activity providers in the Cork region,
enjoyed a local artisan Cork menu, and met with some of Cork’s famous
faces including fishmonger Pat O Connell whose iconic photo with Queen
Elizabeth went worldwide!
Seamus Heaney, Chairman of Cork Convention Bureau, said, “Cork is
ready to get a bigger share of the international conference and
incentive travel market, so we are actively targeting companies who
have the potential to do this. We need to continually update those
that make the decisions on our new product offering in Cork from new
hotels, restaurants and stunning venues that can take large capacity
conferences, to new airline routes, and of course the Events Centre,
which will firmly put Cork on the conference map”.
Seamus Heaney, continued: “Cork is steadily increasing its share of
the conference and events business. We implore you to keep Cork top
of mind for conferences and meetings, and we have numerous free
supports available to assist.”
Services which can be provided via Cork Convention Bureau include
sourcing suitable facilities and venues, supplier recommendations,
co-ordinating site inspections, familiarisation and media visits,
securing and organising civic receptions, social programme and
itinerary preparations, inclusion in advertising and public relations
campaigns, and providing tourism literature for delegates.
Mr Heaney continued to say, “Cork has everything needed to meet the
demands of incentive events and corporate meetings, from beautiful
venues and adequate facilities, to free wi-fi throughout the city
centre, a great range of high quality hotels, and a fantastic tourism
offering. Cork Airport is just 10 minutes from Cork City and getting
around the city is quick and easy.”
If you are considering organising a conference or meeting, you can
contact Cork Convention Bureau for free advice and support services on
021 431 8036, info@corkconventionbureau.com, or via twitter, or see
www.corkconventionbureau.com for more.