Fáilte Ireland has honoured the outstanding contributions of 109 sector leaders at the biennial Conference Ambassador Recognition Awards held at The Royal Dublin Society on Thursday 27th November.
These leading academics and industry experts, known as conference ambassadors, were celebrated for hosting international conferences in Ireland between 2023 and 2024, and collectively generating an estimated €117 million for the Irish economy. The role of conference ambassadors underpins the Government’s Business Events 2030 strategy by attracting high-value international conferences that deliver economic impact and long-term legacy for Ireland.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of Conference Ambassador of the Year award to Professor Cathal Gurrin of Dublin City University. Since 2011, Professor Gurrin has secured multiple international conferences worth an estimated €6.4 million, including the 45th European Conference on Information Retrieval (ECIR) in 2023, which contributed approximately €470,000 to the local economy. With more events in the pipeline, his efforts continue to position Ireland as a leading global conference destination.
Two spotlight awards recognised excellence in sustainability and social impact:
- Sustainability Award: The 35th International Geographical Congress 2024, organised by Dr. Niamh Moore-Cherry (UCD) and Professor Frances Fahy (University of Galway) took place at Dublin City University.
- Social Impact Award: The 54th European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN) Conference 2024, led by Dr. Lyndsey El Amoud, took place at University College Cork.
Since its inception in 2009, Ireland’s Conference Ambassador Programme has motivated and supported nearly 3,500 sector leaders in their journey to bid to host conferences worth approximately €2.9 billion. These events, often held outside the busy summer period, deliver significant economic, social, and environmental benefits, with each international delegate’s value estimated at more than two and a half times that of the average leisure tourist.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD said:
“I congratulate all of the ambassadors recognised at the Conference Ambassadors Recognition Awards. Their success in attracting international conferences is helping to deliver the Business Events 2030 strategy, which I launched earlier this year. This strategy sets out our ambition to position Ireland as a sustainable, world-class destination for business travel, driving economic growth and supporting regional development. The work of these ambassadors demonstrates how collaboration and leadership can turn that vision into reality, strengthening Ireland’s reputation on the global stage.”
Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland Caroline Bocquel added:
“Our conference ambassadors are true champions for Ireland on the global stage. Their dedication and expertise have not only delivered an estimated €117 million to our economy over a two-year period, but they have also showcased Ireland as a world-class destination for knowledge exchange and innovation. These conferences create lasting legacies- strengthening our industries, fostering collaboration, and driving regional growth. At Fáilte Ireland, we are proud to support this network and encourage more leaders to join us in bringing future business events to Ireland.”
Conference Ambassador of the Year:
Professor Cathal Gurrin of Dublin City University has been named Conference Ambassador of the Year for his exceptional contribution to Ireland’s business events sector. Since 2011, Professor Gurrin has played a pivotal role in attracting multiple international conferences worth an estimated €6.4 million to the Irish economy, including the 45th European Conference on Information Retrieval (ECIR) 2023, which alone generated approximately €470,000 locally.
This prestigious award recognises his unwavering commitment to positioning Ireland as a global hub for technology and innovation. In 2023, he spearheaded the largest ECIR ever held, welcoming hundreds of researchers from 52 countries to Dublin, with main sessions hosted at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel. Working closely with Fáilte Ireland, the Dublin Convention Bureau, and industry partners, Professor Gurrin has consistently delivered landmark events that inspire academic collaboration and create lasting economic and social legacies. With another major international conference already planned for Dublin in 2027, his efforts continue to champion Ireland on the world stage.
Social Impact Award:
The 54th European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN) Conference 2024, led by Dr. Lyndsey El Amoud, received the Social Impact Spotlight Award for embedding meaningful social impact into every stage of event planning. Held at University College Cork under the theme “University Lifelong Learning (ULLL): Leading Positive Change in Challenging Times,” the conference positioned universities as agents of transformation and sparked global dialogue through a groundbreaking Declaration on Equity in Education, signed by 115 universities and aligned with Ireland’s National Access Plan (2022–2028). Judges commended the event for creating a lasting legacy by prioritising inclusion and social justice, championing collaboration, and introducing a socially responsible conferencing model that influenced policy, partnerships, and public awareness. Its success, measured through qualitative indicators and legacy actions, reflects the strength of partnership between University College Cork, EUCEN, Cork Convention Bureau and PCO Abbey Conferences standing as a powerful example of how conferences can drive real societal change.
Sustainability Award:
The 35th International Geographical Congress 2024, organised by Professor. Niamh Moore-Cherry (University College Dublin) and Professor Frances Fahy (University of Galway), received the Sustainability Award for its outstanding commitment to environmentally responsible practices and sustainable event delivery. Hosted at Dublin City University, the Congress integrated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, appointed a dedicated Sustainability Officer, launched public engagement programmes, and introduced a voluntary environmental levy that funded local green projects. Judges praised the event’s strong evidence of environmental responsibility and its collaborative approach, working closely with Dublin City University, Dublin City Council, PCO Keynote, and the Dublin Convention Bureau to ensure a lasting positive legacy for both the local community and the wider environment.
