Working in partnership under the banner of the Kerry Ambassador Programme, Kerry Convention Bureau and Fáilte Ireland have joined forces to recruit academics from Munster Technological University to attract more international conferences to the area.
Following an invitation extended by MTU President, Maggie Cusack, and founding Kerry Ambassador Mary Rose Stafford, 20 leading academics across multiple disciplines were given a briefing at a Lunch and Learn event in MTU’s North Kerry Campus, detailing how they can help bring major international events and conferences to Ireland with the support of the Kerry Ambassador Programme.
The pioneering county initiative is designed to drive economic growth through business events and raise Kerry’s profile as a global business hub.
Launched in October 2022, and led by Kerry Convention Bureau, it is managed in partnership with Kerry County Council, Fáilte Ireland, Meet in Ireland, Kerry Tourism Industry Federation, Kerry SciTech and Prosper Kerry.
As part of a drive to grow the programme’s pool of Kerry Conference Ambassadors, the Lunch and Learn event was focused specifically on academics and their ability to bid for international conferences in their area of expertise.
Providing examples from MTU academics recognised as founding Kerry Ambassadors, whohad already successfully attracted events to the region, the event highlighted how they are hugely important in sourcing and winning this lucrative tourism business.
A presentation was given by Commercial Development Officer. Patrice O’Mahony, on how Fáilte Ireland’s support helps shoulder some of the financial costs associated with bidding for international business, while Becky Hargrove, Manager of Kerry Convention Bureau, explained how they are on hand to offer practical advice and assistance from the start to end of the bid journey.
Pictures: Domnick Walsh
“We were delighted to have so many from MTU attend this education session and to have the opportunity to inspire them as to the benefits of becoming a Kerry Conference Ambassador,” said Becky.
“We were able to share with them the many notable benefits associated with becoming an ambassador, including the opportunity to raise the profile of their work and MTU amongst their peers, become recognised as a leader in their field of expertise, establish platforms for research projects and international collaboration and also playing in an important role in generating economic benefits and profile for Kerry,” she added.
The gathering heard that as Kerry continues to build on its reputation as both a future focused premier business events destination and one of Ireland’s leading knowledge and innovation hubs, where industry collaboration drives success, the call out for new Kerry Conference Ambassadors is timely.
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