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G8 Summit Conference Hotels and Venues…

On 17 June, 2013 by Ciara Feely Comments (0), leave your own!
Categories: Conference Hotels, Golf Venues, Meeting Rooms, Venue Reviews

Ireland a serious contender for International Conferences with validation of our world class conference facilities…

The world leaders have been welcomed to The Lough Erne Resort for the G8 Summit 2013. The Northern Ireland Conference Hotel was chosen to host this prestigious conference that will result in long lasting benefits to the hotel. Speaking to the Director of Sales – John O Neill, the sales department has experienced an influx of enquiries in the last year from the corporate and conference market of Ireland and indeed internationally. Being able to say they are the chosen venue of the G8 Summit, speaks mountains about its credibility as a venue capable of handling the highest calibre of conference delegates and logistics.

It is estimated the G8 Summit is worth £40 million to the local economy, resulting in 45,000 room nights being booked. The counties of Sligo, Donegal, Cavan. Fermanagh and Monaghan have all enjoyed the conference sales benefits. The Radisson in Sligo are hosting the 2500 delegates coming from America for the Summit. The delegates, media, security and administration staff and picketers all make up the 45,000 room nights. The £40 million in spend is being generated by G8 contracts given to Northern Ireland businesses, over-time payments for security and other staff plus the spend on preparation and practicalities such as training exercises, accommodation, catering and logistics. Homeowners in the area are also benefiting – renting out their houses for up to £1300 for the few days – it sounds familiar to the Ryder Cup event held at The K Club, Kildare 2006!

Ireland being the venue for the G8 Summit has long reaching benefits for Ireland being considered as a conference venue for International Associations and corporate conferences and will all help to platform us as the fantastic country it is for conferences.
“Ireland has the perfect mix of facilities, accommodation and professionalism to host any major meeting. Drawing on the visit of the G8 to the island of Ireland, we are reminding potential ambassadors that they too can bring their global gathering to the ‘island boardroom’ according to John Concannon, Director of Marketing with Fáilte Ireland. Click here for details of the Irish Ambassador Programme.

The first six months of 2013 will see 114 international conferences and business events take place in Ireland bringing a total of approximately 31,000 delegates with an overall estimated economic impact of €37 million, that is not including the G8 Summit Conference.

Check out this review of the resort for the leisure traveller as experienced by Pol O’ Conghaile who writes for the National Geographic Traveller.

Tagged: arranging events, association conference hotel, conference and meeting place, conference center ireland, conference hotel ireland, conference organisers, Corporate Event Venues, find a conference venue, G8 2013 conference hotels, G8 Ireland Summit, G8 Summit, G8 Summit hotels, Meeting Room Venues, team building venues ireland

Hotel VAT Reductions – who is Passing it on

On 8 July, 2011 by Ciara Feely Comments (1), leave your own!
Categories: Conference Hotels, Conference Venue Tips, Hotel and Venue VAT rates, Venue Reviews

Proactive and Positive attitude is resulting in business opporunities for hotels and client loyalty…. The Team at FindaConferenceVenue.com have conducted a survey of over 200 hotels in Ireland, asking them – have they? Will they? And where have they passed on the new 9% VAT rate?

Number of Hotels Surveyed – 216 Number responded – 77

How was the survey conducted? – online and on the phone. We called 125 hotels, sent 216 General Managers an email 52 responded on the phone, 25 online at – http://findaconferencevenue.polldaddy.com/s/EAEFE109CB6B06BB?p=1

The majority who participated in the survey have passed on the savings in the area of Food, Beverage and the Guestroom rate. The cost of a cup of tea or coffee is the main area that the reduction is not immediately being passed on in by some hotels (to Conference Groups for example); as for the sake of 11cent, (based on a price of €2.75) they have to reprint all their menus. This will be more gradually introduced.

Trend from the survey – What is most interesting to me is that the hotels attitude to the issue is key in determining what extra business can be generated from the reduction. For example – those that were the most willing to answer our questions and were taking a proactive approach to the issue, have generated good will with their customers and have generated extra business already.

Spotlight on Hotels Passing it on.. The Marriott Druids Glen, the Fitzgerald Woodlands Hotel Adare and the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel are the hotels that stand out and are managing the issue and turning it into a sales opportunity. Aileen Strachan – Director of Sales at the Marriott Druids Glen told us they contacted all their clients last month and let them know they are reducing the rates they had booked. Clients were very impressed with this proactive approach and it created such good will that it has resulted in more business for the hotel. The Woodlands House Hotel in Adare have given the VAT reduction top priority with one of the owners handling the project herself – Elaina Fitzgerald, has spent days contacting clients letting them know the good news. They believe it is a very positive move for the Irish Hotel Industry and it is up to each hotel to generate the business presented by the VAT reduction.

My husband is in the building industry and his comment was he would love the VAT rate to be reduced for his industry to help his rates be even more competitive.

The hotels that were not willing to participate in the survey or who were complaining about the extra work it has put on them, are the most negative and don’t believe it will help to generate more business. It just shows if you put a positive spin on everything, opportunities are made. Some hotels are taking each piece of business on a case by case basis to see if they can pass on the reduction – some are incorporating extra value for money in packages offered instead.

Advice from an expert on Hotels and Venues – Ciara Feely of FindaConferenceVenue.com – if you have an event booked, check with your hotel to ensure the reduction is being passed on. We are doing this on behalf of all our clients who have used our Venue Finding Service. The 5 questions we asked are below —

Breakdown of answers to questions on the new VAT rate survey-77 respondants

Yes

On a case by case basis

Have you reduced the VAT rate?

Have you passed the VAT reduction on to your customers in the area of food?

Have you passed the VAT reductions on to your customers in the area of guestrooms?

Have you passed the VAT on to your customers in the area of beverages (tea/coffee)?

Are you applying these reductions to business already booked?

If you answered no -Do you plan to reduce the rates in the next month?

Do you see the VAT reduction making a difference to business generated?

Hotels who are passing it on that we spoke to…….

Ambassador Hotel Cork

Sheraton Fota Island

Greenhills Hotel Conference/Leisure

Radisson Blu Hotel Limerick

Carlton Hotel Galway

the g

Galway Bay Hotel

Sligo Park Hotel and Leisure Club

Fitzpatrick Castle Dublin

Morrison (The)

Radisson Blu St Helens Hotel

Radisson Royal Hotel City Centre

Roganstown Golf & Country Club

Marriott Druids Glen Hotel and Country Club

The K Club

Tullamore Court Hotel

Hodson Bay Hotel

The Malton, formerly the Great Southern Hotel

Marriott Johnstown House Hotel & Spa

Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel

White Sands Hotel

Slieve Russell Hotel Golf & Country Club

Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa Cork

The Stillorgan Park Hotel

Ballykisteen Hotel & Golf Resort

The Brehon

Carton House

CityNorth Hotel

Sheen Falls Lodge

Silver Springs Moran Hotel

Harvey's Point

Courtyard by Marriott Galway Hotel & Spa

Abbey Court Hotel,Lodges & Trinity Leisure Spa

Whites of Wexford

Guinness Storehouse

The Lodge at Ashford

Ballsbridge Court Hotel

Sheraton Athlone Hotel

Croke Park Conference Centre

Old Jameson Distillery

Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt

Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa

Carlton Shearwater Hotel Spa & Conference Centre

Dromoland Castle

Louis Fitzgerald Hotel

Solis Lough Eske Castle

Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort

Kilronan Castle

Hilton Hotels

Buswells Hotel

Westport Woods Hotel

Sligo Park Hotel

Dingle Skellig Hotel

Rathsallagh House

Quality Hotel Clonakilty

malton Hotel

The Riverside Park Hotel & Leisure Club

Westlodge

Sligo Park Hotel and Leisure Club

The randles Court hotel

Trident Hotel

Ballymaloe House

Abbey Hotel, Conference & Leisure

Actons Hotel, Kinsale

Cashel Palace Hotel

Downhill House Hotel

The Europe Hotel & Resort

AbbeyCourtHotel Lodges and Trinity Leisure Spa

Hotel Isaacs

Fitzgeralds woodlands house hotel

Deebert House Hotel

Mount Wolseley Hotel

Tagged: conference venue ireland, conference venues ireland, Corporate Event Venues, Hotel, Hotel VAT rate, Irish Hotel passing on the VAT rate, Irish Hotels, meeting room dublin, VAT Rate, VAT rate reductions

Green Venues – congrats to The Bush Hotel in Carrick on Shannon!

On 30 September, 2009 by Ciara Feely Comments (0), leave your own!
Categories: Green Venues

Meeting Facilities, Bush Hotel, Carrick on Shannon

Joe Dolan and his team at the Bush Hotel,Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim, Ireland is to be congratulated for their achievements in creating a green venue for conferences, meetings and events. The below is an extract from a press release that will be in the papers tomorrow. The hotel is a great place to drop in for a meal and has a variety of space for meetings and events…. will post more on that when I stay there and do a review. But I would know the hotel and the great reputation it has locally as I grew up 10 miles away.

“Communication Award. The award recognises exceptional promotional activities to

increase public awareness of the EU Ecolabel – the EU’s label for environmentally friendly goods and services. The three winners, selected by a jury of environmental

and communication experts, were announced at a ceremony in Brussels last night.

The Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, which became the first hotel in Ireland to be awarded the EU Ecolabel in Marchthis year, won the service provider category. The hotel was praised by judges for raising awareness of the EU Ecolabel through a variety of promotional tools, including an in-house awareness campaign, a suppliers’ charter and organised site visits.

The European Commission has announced the winners of the first EU Ecolabel

Communication Award. The award recognises exceptional promotional activities to

increase public awareness of the EU Ecolabel – the EU’s label for environmentally friendly goods and services. The three winners, selected by a jury of environmental

and communication experts, were announced at a ceremony in Brussels last night.

The Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, which became the first hotel in

Irelandto be awarded the EU Ecolabel in March this year, won the service provider

category. The hotel was praised by judges for raising awareness of the EU Ecolabel

through a variety of promotional tools, including an in-house awareness campaign, a suppliers’ charter and organised site visits.

Tagged: arranging conferences, conference and meeting place, Conference Centre Venues, conference organisers, conference space in the west of ireland, conferences west of ireland, Corporate Event Venues, eco friendly hotels ireland, family run hotels ireland, green conferences, green hotels ireland, green venues ireland, hotels in the west of ireland, hotels in towns of ireland, Meeting Room Venues, the bush hotel carrick on shannon, the bush hotel leitrim

How to Plan a Conference …. continued advice from the experts.

On 7 May, 2009 by Ciara Feely Comments (0), leave your own!
Categories: Conference Planning, Conference Venue Tips, Smart organising tips, Uncategorized

Step Three – Producing the Conference

To put the conference product in place you will to need to action the following:

Conference Budget: This needs to be drawn up and must contain a revenue and expenditure section together with an actual column. Always include a contingency figure, say 10% of the estimated total.

Programme: Clearly identify you objectives so that both you and your speaker know what the conference is aiming to achieve and delegate expectations are met.

Marketing and PR plan: You need to identify how are going to reach your target audience. Website will need to be designed or updated.

Event Schedule: This is used to plot all the various activities that are talking place throughout the conference.

Step Four – Products and suppliers

Once you have produced you conference budget you can confirm your suppliers and product requirements:

Venue Finder: Professional venue finders, who are experts on venues and offer an independent opinion are always a safe bet to use to ensure you select the right venue. Your reputation is on the line if you chose the wrong venue!

Accommodation: This may need to be placed on provisional hold if the conference venue cannot provide or has insufficient space.

Audio Visual equipment and production: This is something either the venue can provide or you can source in-house. Alternatively obtain up to quotes from conference / AV companies.

Catering, entertainment, transport, delegate bags etc: Make sure you have thought of everything at this stage so that there are no surprises in the budget later on.

Marketing and PR plan: You need to identify how are going to reach your target audience. Website will need to be designed or updated.

Event Schedule: This is used to plot all the various activities that are talking place throughout the conference.

Step Three – Producing the Conference

To put the conference product in place you will to need to action the following:

Conference Budget: This needs to be drawn up and must contain a revenue and expenditure section together with an actual column. Always include a contingency figure, say 10% of the estimated total.

Programme: Clearly identify you objectives so that both you and your speaker know what the conference is aiming to achieve and delegate expectations are met.

Marketing and PR plan: You need to identify how are going to reach your target audience. Website will need to be designed or updated.

Event Schedule: This is used to plot all the various activities that are talking place throughout the conference.

Great meeting room, just outside Dublin. Convenient to the airport also.

Step Four – Products and suppliers

Once you have produced you conference budget you can confirm your suppliers and product requirements:

Venue Finder: Professional venue finders, who are experts on venues and offer an independent opinion are always a safe bet to use to ensure you select the right venue. Your reputation is on the line if you chose the wrong venue!

Accommodation: This may need to be placed on provisional hold if the conference venue cannot provide or has insufficient space. Ensure there are enough gurestrooms for delegates or that there are excellently priced hotels within easy reach of the conference. You don’t want your delegates arriving late as they were stuck in traffic. Again, consult a venue finder on these.

Audio Visual equipment and production: This is something either the venue can provide or you can source in-house. Alternatively obtain up to quotes from conference / AV companies. Ensure you get references, as getting the AV right on the day is essential!!

Catering, entertainment, transport, delegate bags etc: Make sure you have thought of everything at this stage so that there are no surprises in the budget later on.

Marketing and PR plan: You need to identify how are going to reach your target audience. Website will need to be designed or updated.

Event Schedule: This is used to plot all the various activities that are talking place throughout the conference.

Source – In Any Event UK

For more expert tips on organising a conference or event – click here…

Venue Review – The Clarion Dublin Hotel IFSC – Financial Services Centre

On 19 March, 2009 by Ciara Feely Comments (1), leave your own!
Categories: Conference Hotels, Conference Venue Tips, Venue Reviews

Conference Facilities Clarion IFSC, Pegasus Room

I stayed overnight at the Clarion Hotel recently and had a great experience, it is very much accommodates the business traveller and is a great Conference venue and Meeting hotel in Dublin City Centre.

What I loved –

*Lolly pops and water on each conference table

* Natural light through-out

*Power shower

*Personal wake-up call – that was bang on time.

* High Powered Hair dryer

First impressions and location — The Clarion Hotel is a great Dublin business hotel, it is located in the IFSC and convenient to the O2 Music Venue and close to the Dublin Convention Centre opening in 2010. It is also -

• within walking distance to the heart of Dublin City Centre

• will have a Luas line on its door step next year

• the fact that it has its own car park is a big advantage, I do feel however that signage from the car park to the hotel could be improved as the car park elevator does not lead directly to the hotel lobby.

The atmosphere is business like and professional, all staff were attentive to my needs, in particular Joe who escorted me to my car and carried my bags. He has been in the hotel industry for over 10 years and is a true hospitality professional.

Conference and Event Space -

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVB9znl_ktI]

There is a choice of up to 3 rooms for groups of up to about 80-110, with plenty of break out space –

all rooms are airy with lots of natural light
the needs of the meeting organiser have also been thought of with registration facilities outside each and a meeting tool kit in each room
Free Broadband facilities
ceiling mounted projection system which can display, laptop, DVD and VHS display and of course climate control

For me the Columbia room in the basement was my favourite with plenty of space out side the room for tea/coffee facilities. No rooms are far from the restaurant/bar area which makes networking at tea/coffee break time easy to do. Overall there are 10 rooms ranging in size from 4 to 110 theatre style.

Accommodation –

The Video says it all really. If you are a light sleeper, request an “internal” room, not over looking the Quays as early morning traffic may disturb you. It didn’t wake me up but I am not a light sleeper! I had a great nights sleep, beds and duvets were very comfortable.

Great size gym with exercise classes and a lap pool

This Dublin City Centre business hotel is well equipped with a large gym and swimming pool and I particularly like the fact that there are exercise classes that guests can join each evening. You can also avail of a choice of newspaper delivered to your door in the morning.

Overall I found the hotel to be well thought through for business, conferences, meetings and events and I met a guest who stays there every week so that is always a great reference. Joe was very accommodating and assisted me to my car with my baggage and refused to accept a tip. I very much liked the genuineness of his guest service.

Check out other independent hotel reviews I have done -

Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links – Portmarnock, Dublin

Tagged: arranging events, clarion hotel dublin city centre, Conference Centre Venues, conference organisers, conference venue ireland, corporate event planning tips, Corporate Event Venues, Corporate Team Building activities, dublin city hotel, event management company, team building Dublin

Venue of the Week – Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Resort -conference and meeting venue

On 16 October, 2008 by Ciara Feely Comments (1), leave your own!
Categories: Team Building, Team Building Ideas, Uncategorized, Venue Reviews

sea view from the room

Lobby area - great couches

I had the pleasure of staying at the Portmarnock Hotel recently. I was doing business in North Dublin and the location suited me perfectly. I have to say it was a fantastic stay. I find Averil in the sales department wonderful to deal with. I was checked in by Garbour – who was lovely and friendly and went out of his way later in the evening to obtain an old nokia charger for me. I stayed in a sea view room, which was beautiful. Really loved it, decorated in egg shell blue with a very inviting looking bed.

Egg shell blue seav view room

As a female staying in a hotel by myself, I love to order room service. Had a great sea food salad which was delivered very promptly. The glass of wine was also very generous and I appreciated that!

Great team building area

It was just a pleasure to wake up to the sound of the sea, I really didn’t feel like I was on business and the shower was just fab – nothing like the sunflower/rain showers to wake you up in the morning. I took a walk around the hotel after breakfast. I like that there are many areas where you can do your own thing and find a comfortable spot and read the newspaper or avail of the free wifi. I was looking at the hotel from a Conference/meeting organiser prospective and this is what I thought make the hotel a great choice -

· Free parking and lots of it

· Easy to access and close to the airport

· Main conference room has its own access

· Choice of meeting room – plenty of break out space centrally located

· Great pre-registration and coffee break areas

· Mix of old world and new – blend of the original Jameson Family home with contemporary lobby, rooms and restaurant

· Golf – world renowned golf course

· Great evening entertainment options – lovely bar area that can be made private.

· Plenty of options in the area for incentive or evening entertainment- Malahide Castle is just on its door step- link to things to do –

· It is right on the coast – wonderful beach walks and a lovely garden area. I noticed many business people taking a walk before starting their day.

Other Dublin Venues - to hold an event, conference or meeting.

So hope you liked this post. I will be reviewing a venue in Ireland every week so do check back. If you would like to talk to me about any venue in Ireland do just call, I would be happy to offer my expert advice. 353 (0) 26 21015

outside shot - Portmarnock Hotel, Dublin

Tagged: conference venues dublin, Corporate Event Venues, Corporate Team Building Venue Dublin, Dublin Hotels, Portarnock Hotel and Golf Links

How to arrange a conference or event on a shoestring budget..

On 8 October, 2008 by Ciara Feely Comments (7), leave your own!
Categories: Green Venues, Smart organising tips, Uncategorized

Attending or creating Conferences, Meetings and Events are the easiest way to meet prospective clients, make valuable networking contacts, enhance your career and impress clients. It can be done in a very cost effective way and can cost less than a few newspaper ads. So to make it easy, I have put together a few quick suggestions. I will add more over the next few weeks…

Make a Budget — and stick to it! Keep it updated regularly once established.

Gather a Strong Team – Delegate responsibilities that would normally be contracted out such as registration, transportation coordination, marketing, decor etc

Negotiate rates — if you run a few events during the year, negotiate them with the one property or hotel group to avail of the best rates.

If flexible on Days of the week generally a Sunday night check in with a Monday meeting will be very attractive to hotels and will be able to be more flexible with rates.

Consider the Time of the Year – to a corporate hotel generally the summer time is quiet for meetings and so you will be able to negotiate better rates then. Otherwise consider shoulder months such as early January.

Ask the hotel or venue what Dates they have free that they are willing to negotiate on.

Setting up systems to save time – will transfer into savings of money – use a Venue Finder and seek their expertise on Venues in Ireland to suit your event. This is a FREE SERVICE with FindaConferenceVenue.com.

Use an online Registration System such as Eventznet.ie – Sarah Carroll. This will save thousands on posting invitations, printing and packaging.

Using an online registration system will also save hours on gathering fees, processing cheques and most importantly you get paid at time of registration and so save on “collecting money” fees or indeed not getting paid at all.

Up Cork! for Event Venues

On 16 November, 2007 by Ciara Feely Comments (0), leave your own!
Categories: Conference Venues

If you didn’t think that Cork has a lot to offer as a Corporate Event Venue or Conference Facility then read on cause…………….. I was nicely surprised recently.

I felt very proud as I attended a number of events arranged for UK Meeting Organisers who are looking at booking Ireland for an event. Failte/Tourism Ireland and Cork Convention Bureau put together a wonderful weekend show casing what Cork has to offer to the Conference, Meeting and Event Market. Cork City Goal was displayed in spectacular fashion as a Corporate Event Venue. It is the cities old jail and also shares its history as a broadcasting station for RTE, Ireland radio.

Back to the event – we arrived through candle lit corridors to a wine reception area that was once the Governor’s office. The walls are all exposed stone dating back to 1824 We dined in the main hall – with 3 story high ceilings, natural stone cleverly lit and wrought iron staircases up to the old cells. Candles and great company set the mood for the evening. The acoustics were fantastic and proved a perfect venue for “The Keynotes” – a group of 4 fine looking young men – they entered the room singing and walking down through the tables to everyone’s delight – especially the ladies, I noticed quite a few sit up with interest upon their arrival. They entertained us for a half hour with popular tunes from Tony Bennett to Elvis Presley to beautiful Irish Ballads – all with their unique twist. They really were a joy to listen to and very entertaining. I found myself wondering what life must have been like there as a jail, as a venue it certainly offers something different and creates a very special atmosphere.

We spent Thursday night whiskey tasting at Jameson Distillery, Midleton. We enjoyed a “shindig” night with entertainment by young Irish Dancers and a lively band. I found the whiskey tasting very interesting and informative. A great conversation starter.

The UK Meeting Organisers were shown the diverse range of hotels in the Cork area from world class 5 star venues to excellent 3 and 4 star options. Most of the buyers did not know that Cork had so much to offer as Conference Venue and Meeting Place Hotels with something different and inspiring as a Corporate Event Venue to host elaborate banquets, product launches, corporate team building activities, Corporate Meetings and Conference Facilities.

The Meeting Organisers had diverse clients from x Formula One drivers to Food and Wine Groups to Corporate Conference Organisers in the Medical and Finance sector. Experiencing some of Corks finest hospitality and attending the Mad Hatters Food Festival in Kinsale gave them first hand experience and ideas for further groups. Cork has a wide range of corporate entertainment options which can be read in detail on any of the Cork Venues web brochure on my website – www.findaConferenceVenue.com. Each venue lists the top 10 things to do while staying at that Venue, giving full details on all event space, accommodation, facilities and location. 70 Venues are registered nationwide with Corporate Event Venue options from Belfast to Kerry and Galway to Conference Venue and Meeting Place options in Dublin.

I will be updating this blog regularly with details of other events I have attended around the country, giving you a taste of what Ireland has to offer for that something special.

Ciara Feely Cahalane – FindaConferenceVenue.com

Ireland’s Venue Finder
ciara@findaconferencevenue.com

Tagged: Conferences Dublin, Corporate Event Venues, Corporate Meetings

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