Cork’s reputation as a leading conference destination was reinforced at the Cork Convention Bureau Conference Ambassador Awards 2024 held last night at The Kingsley Hotel. The event celebrated 74 ambassadors responsible for bringing 62 international business events to Cork over the past two years, which attracted 12,500 delegates, 74% of whom were international visitors, contributing an estimated €17.4 million* to the local economy.
The conference ambassadors, who were all supported by the team at Cork Convention Bureau, were recognised for their vision and hard work, for boosting business tourism, and helping the city continue to be a leading European destination for big conventions. Four overall winners were also announced.
Events hosted in Cork in 2023 and 2024 ranged in size, with some attracting large numbers. The Kaizoku-Con 2024 brought 2,000 delegates to Cork, while IFMSS, a fetal medicine conference, saw over 400 delegates and top experts attending from all over the world. Tyndall National Institute also brought a number of significant conferences to Cork – the IEEE International 3DIC Conference and Conference 2- EPoSS Annual Forum. There was a huge variety of interests covered across the events from healthcare and medical sciences to education and academia, science and technology, the environment and sustainability, business and industry, Cultural and social studies, and sports and recreation.
2024 Overall Award Winners
Four standout events were recognised at the awards for their significant contributions to the local economy:
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Academic Conference Award:
Dr. Denis Kelliher was honoured for his role in bringing the World Congress of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimisation (WCSMO) to University College Cork. The event focused on engineering innovation. -
Collaboration Conference Award:
Professor Luigina Ciolfi and Dr. Trevor Hogan were recognised for organising the TEI Conference which brought together researchers, practitioners, businesses, artists, designers and students from various disciplines, including engineering, interaction design, computer science, product design, media studies and the arts. A collaborative effort between UCC and MTU. -
Association Conference Award:
Professor Geraldine Boylan was honoured for hosting the 15th International Newborn Brain Conference 2024 INBBC, focused on medical sciences. -
Sporting Conference Award:
The Irish Coastal Rowing Championship event was acknowledged for it’s significant contribution to the sporting sector. Organised by Kilmacsimon Rowing Club in conjunction with the National Rowing Centre, this event brought together over 1,000 athletes and spectators.
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The awards were presented by Cllr. Honore Kamegni, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Anne Marie Aher, Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork, Ruth Andrews of Fáilte Ireland, President of UCC John O’Halloran, President of MTU Professor Maggie Cusack, and Deirdre Lysaght, Rowing Ireland.
Since its launch in 2010, the Cork Ambassador Programme has brought over €127 million to the region. Operated by Cork Convention Bureau, part of Visit Cork, the programme supports local members of international associations in successfully bidding for international conferences to be hosted in Cork.
According to Fáilte Ireland, Cork continues to get the greatest share of conferences in the Republic of Ireland outside of Dublin, representing approximately 25% of the regional value of events. With €20 million worth of conferences already secured for the next 6 years, 2025 to 2030, and another €25 million in bid pending business, Cork is poised for further growth. The Cork Events Centre, if brought to fruition, would create even further opportunities as it would address capacity challenges, bolstering Cork’s ability to compete globally.
Evelyn O’Sullivan, Manager at Cork Convention Bureau said: “We are in a really good position for 2025 and are working hard to get confirmation of bid pending events for future years. Cork continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for business tourism in the Republic, outside of the capital, as we have fantastic, authentic venues, and a very warm welcome.”
Evelyn highlighted that member hotels and venues are increasingly prioritising sustainability, which enhances Cork’s appeal as event organisers actively seek eco-friendly destinations. “Cork Convention Bureau is dedicated to establishing Cork as a sustainable tourism destination,” she said. “Through our legacy and social impact initiatives, we ensure every event leaves a lasting positive impact on the community.”
Evelyn also noted Cork’s appeal to industries like bio-pharma, ICT, and medical sciences, with its thriving business ecosystem and world-class research centres. She encouraged individuals and organisations to consider hosting industry conferences in Cork, with the Bureau ready to provide comprehensive support.
Gerard O’Mahoney Chair of Visit Cork, stressed just how important business tourism is to the county. “Conferences bring far-reaching benefits for the local economy, from hotels and venues to restaurants, shops, and tourism providers. These events also showcase the region to international delegates, many of whom return for leisure trips. As we look to the future, Cork remains well-positioned to attract large-scale business events thanks to its unique offerings and world-class infrastructure.”
Anyone who would like support in bringing an international meeting, conference or event to Cork should contact the Cork Convention Bureau on info@corkconventionbureau.com or go to corkconventionbureau.com to see the supports that are available.
Photo: Pictured (left to right) are the four overall winners: Professor Luigina Ciolfi and Dr. Trevor Hogan, honoured for their work on the TEI Conference; Dr. Denis Kelliher, recognised for bringing the World Congress of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimisation (WCSMO); Professor Geraldine Boylan, who hosted the 15th International Newborn Brain Conference; and representatives from The Irish Coastal Rowing Championship, which made a significant impact on the sporting sector. Photo: Joleen Cronin
