Kerry Convention Bureau
Kerry Convention Bureau is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the region of Kerry, in the south west of Ireland as a conference and convention destination. Kerry Convention Bureau is a point of contact in Kerry for any international conference or meeting planner who is considering Kerry for their future business. They aim to ensure a positive experience for all delegates. Clients benefit from expert and impartial advice, ensuring that only the best possible options are individually tailored for each event.
Case Study – Adventure Travel World Summit 2014
Kerry Convention Bureau and Advantage PCO won Best Business Tourism Innovation at the Irish Tourism Industry Awards on Friday 24th April 2015 at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel, Dublin. Presented by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, the award was given in recognition of the great partnership approach at national, regional and local levels which made the Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) such a success.
Held at Killarney Convention Centre on 6-10th October 2014, the ATWS had a direct economic impact of over €2.5 million while the marketing, industry education and global business connectivity value it will provide, as well as new business into Kerry and Ireland, will be significant in the long-term.
The success of the event has been attributed to the intense collaboration between the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Fáilte Ireland, Kerry County Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the incredibly dedicated Advantage PCO and a local working group. Our ‘Team Killarney’ approach is renowned within the Irish tourism industry for it’s success with large events. Team Killarney comprises Killarney hotels, transport, regional adventure tourism and leisure operators that came together to provide complete buy in to the event, a quick bid response and seamless delivery.
Chair of Kerry Convention Bureau, Niamh O’Shea, added, “We are delighted that Kerry was chosen by Fáilte Ireland to represent Ireland to host this international event, and even more delighted that our industry has recognised the great benefit of working together at all levels to deliver an incredible event like this with such immense economic benefits. Credit is due to all of the Killarney and Kerry businesses that work so closely together to make such bids and the events themselves such a success. The ATTA conference put Killarney and Ireland on the world stage and has already acted as a catalyst for the future of adventure tourism in our town, county and the whole of Ireland.”
Killarney provided the ideal backdrop for the Summit due to its cultural and natural assets, business climate, locally driven tourism and product development. In 2014 the Adventure Travel World Summit was hosted by Ireland for the very first time and brought over 700 international delegates, representing 31 countries, to Killarney Convention Centre, where 1,261 pre-scheduled meetings took place over the course of the week, while workshops included Marketplace and Media Connect. Delegates also took part in 3-5 day pre-Summit adventure experiences along the recently launched Wild Atlantic Way, including ‘escaping’ from Spike Island prison or exploring Ireland’s Wild West.
Monday 6th October 2014 saw 700 delegates depart Killarney Convention Centre simultaneously on 31 different coaches for their Wild Atlantic Way experiences – the result of superb collaboration between the local adventure travel suppliers, Kerry Convention Bureau, Fáilte Ireland and Advantage PCO. The opening ceremony hosted 750 people at Ross Castle and provided an atmospheric evening of Irish music and heritage as the sun set on the Lakes of Killarney.
Over 40 media outlets from nine countries also attended the Summit and featured the event in their publications. The hashtag #2014ATWS generated 38 million impressions and a reach of 5.9 million over 30 days alone. National Geographic featured a 12-page spread on Ireland in March 2015, with Ross Castle gracing the front cover. A storytelling team captured the highlights of the event and the delegate experience in Ireland in various media, including this video:
The 2014 Summit generated upwards of €2 million for Killarney and greatly strengthened Ireland’s position as it seeks to increase revenue and jobs in the adventure travel sector.