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| L-R: Dr Vincent Cunnane (CEO, Shannon Development), Michael Noonan T.D. (Minister for Finance), Padraig Kirby, Dr Fergal Barry, Jerald Cavanagh (all LIT), Tony Brazil (Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau) and Karen Brosnahan (Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau). Photograph Kieran Clancy. |
Participants in a unique sports and business ambassadors programme, currently being rolled out in counties Clare, Limerick, Offaly and Tipperary, helped bring more than 35 million euro into the Shannon Region during 2010 and 2011.
That is according to Shannon Development and the Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau who this week honoured 50 participants of the Conference & Sports Ambassadors Programme.
Among the award recipients were “Ambassadors of the Year”, Jerald Cavanagh and Padraig Kirby of Limerick Institute of Technology Library, who were honoured for their attempts to deliver key business tourism for Limerick. The duo have brought more than €2m worth of business to the greater Limerick area by organising major international conferences on behalf of L.I.T.
The Conference & Sports Ambassadors Programme was introduced two years ago to increase the Region’s share of the lucrative national and international sports tourism market. Since then, 300 ambassadors have been actively working with the Bureau and Shannon Development to help attract thousands of people to the region through a range of business and sports events.
Commenting on the background to the Programme, Mr. Tony Brazil, Chair of The Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau explained: “The Ambassadors programme was devised to increase the Shannon Region’s share of the lucrative internationals sports and business tourism markets. People from around the Shannon Region counties of Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and South Offaly, involved in sporting and business activities at any level, were asked to become an Ambassador. The Programme has so far received a tremendous response.”
“Under the Programme, Shannon Development and the Bureau supported the efforts of Programme Ambassadors by funding site visits, offering guidance and advice and helping to secure funds through the Fáilte Ireland Conference Ambassadors Fund. The events that were hosted in the Region last year would have otherwise taken place elsewhere in Ireland or Europe were it not for supports that have been put in place by the Programme”, Mr. Brazil stated.
Events held in the Region as a result of the work carried out by Programme Ambassadors have included the European Duathlon Championships in Limerick, the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists Conference, the World Single Speed Cycling Championships at Ballyhoura, the Thurles International Hurling Festival, and the Genealogy & Family History Conference in Clare.
According to Dr Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, “Sports and business tourism in the Shannon benefits a range of businesses from the accommodation sector, transport services, pubs, and restaurants, right through to visitor attractions, sports facilities, and the retail trade. I would like to compliment all those involved in showcasing the region to sports governing bodies, corporate bodies and charitable organisations through the Ambassador Programme, as in doing so they have helped provide a significant boost the Region’s economy.”
Dr. Cunnane added: “Shannon Development’s approach continues to be proactive and like our Ambassadors we are out there using our contacts and networks to identify new events. We are very fortunate to have the support of the Regional Conference and Sports Bureau which offers a free advice service to anyone trying to bring an event to this Region.”
Addressing this week’s Ambassador Recognition Awards ceremony, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan TD described the Programme as “innovative, just like the Shannon region”.
Minister Noonan added that the continued success of the Programme centred on the future management and growth of Shannon Airport. He noted that there would be change in the near future at Shannon Airport and said that this change must ‘be embraced’ to allow the region to fulfil its goals.
The Ambassador programme is administered by Karen Brosnahan, Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau and Adam Skerritt, Shannon Development. Organisations that may view the Shannon Region as a potential event location can contact Karen or Adam on 061-710267 or visit www.conferenceandsportsbureau.com.
That is according to Shannon Development and the Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau who this week honoured 50 participants of the Conference & Sports Ambassadors Programme.
Among the award recipients were “Ambassadors of the Year”, Jerald Cavanagh and Padraig Kirby of Limerick Institute of Technology Library, who were honoured for their attempts to deliver key business tourism for Limerick. The duo have brought more than €2m worth of business to the greater Limerick area by organising major international conferences on behalf of L.I.T.
The Conference & Sports Ambassadors Programme was introduced two years ago to increase the Region’s share of the lucrative national and international sports tourism market. Since then, 300 ambassadors have been actively working with the Bureau and Shannon Development to help attract thousands of people to the region through a range of business and sports events.
Commenting on the background to the Programme, Mr. Tony Brazil, Chair of The Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau explained: “The Ambassadors programme was devised to increase the Shannon Region’s share of the lucrative internationals sports and business tourism markets. People from around the Shannon Region counties of Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and South Offaly, involved in sporting and business activities at any level, were asked to become an Ambassador. The Programme has so far received a tremendous response.”
“Under the Programme, Shannon Development and the Bureau supported the efforts of Programme Ambassadors by funding site visits, offering guidance and advice and helping to secure funds through the Fáilte Ireland Conference Ambassadors Fund. The events that were hosted in the Region last year would have otherwise taken place elsewhere in Ireland or Europe were it not for supports that have been put in place by the Programme”, Mr. Brazil stated.
Events held in the Region as a result of the work carried out by Programme Ambassadors have included the European Duathlon Championships in Limerick, the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists Conference, the World Single Speed Cycling Championships at Ballyhoura, the Thurles International Hurling Festival, and the Genealogy & Family History Conference in Clare.
According to Dr Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, “Sports and business tourism in the Shannon benefits a range of businesses from the accommodation sector, transport services, pubs, and restaurants, right through to visitor attractions, sports facilities, and the retail trade. I would like to compliment all those involved in showcasing the region to sports governing bodies, corporate bodies and charitable organisations through the Ambassador Programme, as in doing so they have helped provide a significant boost the Region’s economy.”
Dr. Cunnane added: “Shannon Development’s approach continues to be proactive and like our Ambassadors we are out there using our contacts and networks to identify new events. We are very fortunate to have the support of the Regional Conference and Sports Bureau which offers a free advice service to anyone trying to bring an event to this Region.”
Addressing this week’s Ambassador Recognition Awards ceremony, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan TD described the Programme as “innovative, just like the Shannon region”.
Minister Noonan added that the continued success of the Programme centred on the future management and growth of Shannon Airport. He noted that there would be change in the near future at Shannon Airport and said that this change must ‘be embraced’ to allow the region to fulfil its goals.
The Ambassador programme is administered by Karen Brosnahan, Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau and Adam Skerritt, Shannon Development. Organisations that may view the Shannon Region as a potential event location can contact Karen or Adam on 061-710267 or visit www.conferenceandsportsbureau.com.
