attracting additional conference tourism to the midwest region ailse quinn dr. sinéad o’leary
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region
Ailse Quinn
Dr. Sinéad O’Leary
![Page 2: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
2
Research TitleAn investigation into the potential to attract additional business tourism to the Midwest region through the development of professional association and academic conferences.
![Page 3: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
3
Research Objectives1. To gain an understanding of the global meetings market,
association conferences and the Irish meetings market.2. To employ Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) as a case
example of the potential within one organisation to attract association and academic conferences to the Midwest.
3. To assess the responsiveness of LIT academics to becoming Conference Ambassadors.
4. To appraise the Midwest as a business tourism destination.
5. To conduct an audit of associations that the Midwest region has the potential to attract
6. To develop an action plan for the promotion of the Midwest region as a destination for association conferences.
![Page 4: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
4
Background to the study Downturn in the tourism industry Main players in the meetings industry BRIC economies Association conferences less affected SMERF sector
![Page 5: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
5
Recovery in the Meetings Industry Slow and faltering Emerging economies Issues affecting recovery
![Page 6: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
6
Characteristics and Benefits of Association Meetings Decision-making process Lead time Delegate numbers Venue type Delegate budget Time of conference Duration Partner attendance
![Page 7: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
7
Irish Tourism Industry 200,000 people employed and generates over
six billion annually (Fáilte Ireland, 2010) 2009 downturn 2010 further decline 2011 set to improve
![Page 8: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
8
Irish Tourism Industry Changes VAT rate Travel tax Visa arrangements Airport charges
![Page 9: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
9
Business Tourism in Ireland Expenditure of international conference
delegates. In 2009 122 international conferences brought
57,000 overseas delegates to the country which was worth €80 million to the economy (Fáilte Ireland, 2010).
![Page 10: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
10
Conference Ambassador Programme Tool used for attracting conferences to a
destination Irish investment ‘One of the key pillars’
![Page 11: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
11
Findings: LIT Case Study
![Page 12: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
12
Findings: LIT Case Study
Department Member of Association %
Art and Design 40
Built Environment 60
Business and Humanities
80
Science, Engineering & IT
77
![Page 13: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
13
Findings: LIT Case Study
![Page 14: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
14
Findings: LIT Case StudyFocus Groups Reasons for not volunteering for a conference
ambassador programme. Suggestions given in the focus group to
alleviate doubts regarding participation in conference ambassador programme.
![Page 15: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
15
Findings: LIT Case Study
Levels of Involvement in the Conference Ambassador ProgrammeLevel 1 Find out who decision makers are and
make contactLevel 2 Deliver pack to right people
(preferably in person)Level 3 Lobby relevant people
Level 4 Involvement in making a bid (with the aid of government agency)
Level 5 Involvement post-bid (successful or unsuccessful)
![Page 16: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
16
Findings: The Midwest Region Established leisure tourism sector. Good access, via road, rail and air. US Pre-clearance at Shannon Airport. Adequate supply of accommodation, dining
and shopping facilities.
![Page 17: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
17
Findings: The Midwest RegionAverage Price Per Room Per Night 2010 - Selected Countries and Limerick.
![Page 18: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
18
Comparison with Southwest RegionAverage Price Per Room Per Night 2010 - Selected Countries, Limerick and Cork.
![Page 19: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
19
Audit of Associations Compile list of associations that the Midwest
has the capacity to attract. International and national associations under
headings such as: medical and science; disability; rural and farming; law and ‘other’.
The list can be used as a tool for stakeholders in the region to target associations both national and international
![Page 20: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
20
RecommendationsMarketing Focus
Connectivity
ValueFocus on small / medium sized conferences
Reasonably priced dining with a wide selection of type and price bandNot competing on climate, rather the results of the climateSafe destination
Attractions
![Page 21: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
21
RecommendationsRegional Aims
Price stability at the present lower rate
Integrated delegate pass
Increased familiarisation trips
Increased focus on conference ambassador programmesCareful monitoring of association databases to identify associations that could potentially visit the region
![Page 22: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
22
RecommendationsConference Ambassador ProgrammeAnalysis and use of organisations in the region
Support from leaders in these organisationsEducationTraining and networking eventsAlleviate doubts by having a pre-emptive strategyVisible administration of conference ambassador programmeSpecific work requirementFunding for travel to conferencesInvestigation of voluntary associations
Levels of involvement offered to ambassadors
![Page 23: Attracting Additional Conference Tourism to the Midwest Region Ailse Quinn Dr. Sinéad O’Leary](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032722/56649cec5503460f949b885b/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
23
Thank you! Any Questions…