Meeting of minds to ‘Keep Cork Meeting’

Meeting of minds to ‘Keep Cork Meeting’

Cork Convention Bureau invites event organisers and businesses to meet with Cork’s tourism, hospitality and events sector to facilitate more conferences, meetings and events in Cork.

“We’re encouraging businesses to think of Cork first for their next corporate event, an industry worth an estimated €14.4 million to the local economy last year,” Evelyn O’Sullivan

Cork Convention Bureau will host its 8th annual business tourism showcase, Keep Cork Meeting, at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Thursday March 30 from 7.30-11.30am. .  The event is ideal for anyone involved in organising events and meetings in Cork.

With over 30 venues, conference, meeting and event companies exhibiting, companies, groups and individuals interested in organising meetings, incentives, conferences and events will be able to see first-hand all the support that is available to them in bringing their event to Cork. 

The event is open to anyone to attend and registration is free. A buffet breakfast will be served and lots of prizes and goodies will be on offer for everyone in attendance. 

Keep Cork Meeting, which is Ireland’s longest running meetings and events expo, will bring together a range of tourism service providers and event management experts to offer practical support and advice to those interested in bringing business tourism to the county. From accommodation to dining options, sight-seeing and venue hire, those attending will have the opportunity to speak with each of the providers about their ideas and requirements. Cork Convention Bureau and Failte Ireland will also be on hand to talk through the supports available to organisers in an effort to improve businesses levels post covid as well as the increased financial supports available for international delegates. .

In 2022, over 40 business events, from symposiums to large international conferences and global summits, brought an estimated 9,000 delegates to Cork, 80% of whom were international visitors. The value was estimated to be worth €14.4 million to the local economy.

Visit Cork, the official tourism body for the Cork region with responsibility for attracting leisure (Pure Cork) and business tourists (Cork Convention Bureau), has a key focus on showcasing the region as a sustainable tourism destination. Cork continues to climb the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI), where it is currently ranked 22nd in the world, thanks in part to the county’s Green for Micro programme which includes strict criteria on how Visit Cork operates all of its events sustainably. This key future tourism trend is one that will appeal to organisers of future events. In addition, all business tourism clients who are hosting a conference or event in Cork, will be presented with CSR (corporate social responsibility) options to support Cork social, environmental and economic causes, and a legacy and social impact programme will be put in place for all future events.  

Evelyn O’Sullivan, Manager, Cork Convention Bureau says, “Cork excels at international conferences, in sectors such as Agriculture, STEM, Space and Maritime. We want to grow that further and also expand into other sectors. We would encourage people of all areas and disciplines to come along to talk about their idea to bring an event to Cork. Whether it’s for 30 people or 3000, a range of supports are on offer. Event wise, we cater for all interests, be it an international meeting of a volunteer organisation or special interest group, a sporting event, a business or educational  conference. Over the years we’ve had some fascinating events.”

 

She added, “The business tourist contributes three times more to the local economy than the leisure tourist and many business tourists are now beginning to extend their stay by 2-4 days, giving local tourism around the county a welcome added boost.”

Cork Convention Bureau has brought over 70,000 international delegates to the region, generating over €100m in revenues since 2010. For more information see www.corkconventionbureau.com

 If you wish to know more about organising an event or conference in Cork, then register your place free of charge on clr.ie/133707.