- Connect16 showcase in the RDS on September 28th 2016
- Business worth 669m per year to ireland
- Growing on average 7pc year on year
- Business tourism to be worth €700m in 2017
Connect16, a new business tourism showcase for Ireland, will take place on Wednesday the 28th of September 2016, in the RDS (website here).
The day-long showcase is to be opened by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and will bring together stakeholders from various parts of the industry to highlight their products and participate in 30 educational seminars on things like sales techniques, meeting design, mindfulness, and team building. One of Connect16‘s aims is to highlight Ireland as a key destination for international conferences and events, and they plan ‘familiarisation trips’ for International delegations around Ireland before the showcase. There will also be live entertainment (music and dancing), and food demonstrations from chefs.
Nicola McGrane, Managing Director of Conference Partners (business events specialists) and the person who came up with the idea for Connect16, said: “In Connect16, we wanted to create a meeting place where anyone involved in organising an event in Ireland or abroad can exhibit and deliver the latest in technology, meeting design, new product, and new venues- something that hasn’t existed for events professionals until now. Moreover, we wanted a platform to showcase our most talented speakers, entertainment acts, corporate activities, and the very best of Irish fod and drink, all of which are crucial in creating the unique Irish experience which we are famed for. While we already have world-class infrastructure in place, the true essence of Ireland is our people, culture, music, dance, our sense of adventure, food and drink, our intellectual capital and so much more. Our ambition for Connect16 is to underpin Ireland’s position as the go-to destination for national and international congresses and events. That we have the support of stakeholders right across our sector demonstrates just how valuable and important business tourism is.”
