WATCH Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau 2023 year in review

Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau 2023 year in review Karen Ronan and Daneille Devaney, Shannon Conference & Sports Bureau. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau leaves its mark on 2023 setting the Shannon Region as prime destination for business tourism

Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau left its mark on the local and global stage in what was a 2023 full of milestones and accolades, promoting the growth, sustainability, and community engagement in the Shannon region for business tourism.

The year kicked off with Karen Ronan, the General Manager of the Bureau, being announced as President of Network Ireland Limerick, her dual roles demonstrated the commitment to not only advancing conferences and sporting events in the Shannon Region but also promoting the professional and personal development among women in the region.

One of the standout moments arrived in March, as the inaugural One-Zero Limerick Conference welcomed leading figures from the sports, business, and technology industries. Spearheaded by figures like Super Bowl winner, Lonie Paxton, and Thomas Ryan, VP Basketball Strategy, NBA, this conference showcased ground-breaking insights, putting the region on the global SportsTech map. Local experts like Grainne Barry, of STATS Perform, helped display the region’s talent pool, showing it as a hub for innovation and collaboration.

💚 @richanthon speaks to Karen Ronan of @Shannon_Region about the @OneZeroSport conference which took place @innovatelmk and brought sports, tech & business together @Failte_Ireland @LimerickCouncil @leo_limerick @Limerick_ie #shannonregion #makeitireland #makeitshannon… pic.twitter.com/jVGAhTvmjB— #LimerickandProud (@ilovelimerick) March 31, 2023

April 2023 saw the development of a Green Team for County Clare, the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau were delighted to be a part of this team to oversee the journey of Clare becoming a Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certified sustainable tourism destination.

Clare is now in the position to become the first county in Ireland to achieve this coveted certification. This aspiration is in line with the objectives of the Clare Tourism Strategy 2030 and has the support of both Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland and is being ably guided and assisted by the Sustainable Tourism Department of ATU Sligo.

This follows on from Clare breaking into the Top 40 on the Global Destination Sustainability Index earlier this year.

Celebrating two decades of excellence in June, the Bureau proudly announced its role in attracting conferences and events valued at €150 million, fueling the local economy. The 20th anniversary marked not just a milestone but a testament to the Bureau’s unwavering dedication to positioning the Shannon region as a premier destination for impactful gatherings.

Reflecting on their remarkable journey at the celebratory event, Karen Ronan, General Manager, Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau, stated, “We’ve overcome numerous challenges in the Midwest region over the past two decades, and it is truly phenomenal to be celebrating our 20th anniversary. Our efforts have resulted in an economic impact of over 150 million euros for the wider Shannon region, including Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, and Offaly.”

WATCH Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau marked its 20th anniversary with the announcement that it has attracted conferences and events to the Shannon region worth €150 million for the local economy 💪👏💚🙏#makeitshannon #makeitireland #limerick #limerickandproud… pic.twitter.com/buOTaiPM6w— #LimerickandProud (@ilovelimerick) June 16, 2023

July saw the 2023 European Ultimate Frisbee Championships showcase Europe’s top talents at University of Limerick, the successful event saw almost 1,300 participants attend from various European nations, underscoring Ireland and the Shannon Region as a prime sporting destination.

The same month saw the 2023 World Archery Youth Championships descend on University of Limerick, a week-long event that welcomed more than 800 athletes, coaches, and supporters from 60 countries. Hosting the championships was a culmination of Limerick’s successful bid to host the prestigious championships three years earlier.

The #FICARA2023 award ceremony last evening also recognised “Regional Champions” for their exceptional dedication to promoting their regions for international conferences in Dublin, Shannon, Galway, Cork and Kerry. Awards went to the following:

– Dublin: Barbara Derham,… pic.twitter.com/AMyu5DGWWS— Fáilte Ireland (@Failte_Ireland) November 23, 2023

An impressive summer of sport continued in August as Limerick played host to the 2023 Flag Football European Championships and the first-ever International Tag Federation Rugby World Cup in the northern hemisphere.

Bidding for sports events is a collaborative approach undertaken by University of Limerick Conference and Events Team, Fáilte Ireland, Limerick City & County Council and the Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau.

October saw Clare & Limerick officially announced as two of the most sustainable destinations in the world after it was confirmed that both had performed exceptionally well in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index.

Speaking about the achievement, Danielle Devaney said, “This year, the Bureau undertook two submissions, one for Limerick and one for Clare, and we were absolutely delighted when Clare scored in the top 40 and Limerick scored in the top 50.  She said it is a “fantastic achievement” with more than 100 destinations participating,  “We are also working very closely with the team in Clare County Council on their journey towards GSTC Accreditation for Clare.”

Standing at numbers 38 and 41 respectively in the world’s leading sustainability benchmarking and performance improvement programme for destinations, Clare and Limerick are now in illustrious company alongside Paris, Singapore, Copenhagen, Melbourne, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Berlin and Helsinki.

The year drew to a close in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, Mary Immaculate College and University of Limerick, academic ambassador recruitment events were established  to bring more international conferences to the region. As part of the academic recruitment drive, academic staff were treated to afternoon tea and a presentation on the benefits of bringing an international conference to the region as well as the Failte Ireland financial support on offer.  

Speaking about aspirations for 2024, Karen Ronan said, “We’re working very closely with Fáilte Ireland on legacy and impact framework. We are very  mindful when bidding for events that we are not solely focused on the economic impact.”

Karen noted the group hopes to ensure the events, “leave a positive impact behind and a lasting legacy.” Recently Dr Liam Glynn, UL was awarded a Social Impact Spotlight Award by Failte Ireland for the World Rural Health Conference in 2022 held at University Limerick.  This event was linked to the establishment of Irelands first National Committee for Rural General Practice and the appointment of the first ever Professor of Rural General Practice.

Looking forward to the future, Karen Ronan, General Manager, said the bureau hopes to, “grow our ambassador programme locally”, she said, “To get more local people involved in associations, in sports federations and local companies to work with the bureau to attract events they can influence and put up their hand and to bid for an event for the region.”

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