CONFERENCE CONTENT
The Irish Hotels Federation will host Sustainable Development – A Shared Vision, the 2023 Annual Conference and Showtel Exhibition at the Great Southern Killarney, Co. Kerry from Sunday 5th March to Tuesday 7th March 2023.
Take the time to join us at this important business and social platform where you can keep up to date on new developments in our industry. Meet with industry colleagues at the many social events and networking opportunities throughout the conference and check out great supplier deals and opportunities at Showtel.
Irish Tourism and Hospitality has experienced very challenging conditions over the last number of years. Our industry is also facing into very worrying headwinds with enormous uncertainty around the future economic outlook, skills shortages, the energy crisis, inflation, rising interest rates and changing consumer preferences. A full recovery is likely to be delayed until 2026 and the overriding priority must be to safeguard tourism livelihoods and secure the long term, sustainable development of our industry.
Topics this year will focus on people and sustainability, innovation, emotional intelligence, leadership, career opportunities, personal development, skills, education, culture, marketing trends, industry outlook and much more. As we make progress on recovery, the time is right to focus on a long-term vision for sustainability in which economic growth, social cohesion and environmental protection go hand in hand and it is in this context that the theme of the 2023 IHF Conference is:
Sustainable Development – A Shared Vision
CONFERENCE OUTLINE
On Sunday afternoon, we will host a golf competition at Dooks Golf Links, Glenbeigh, Co. Kerry, and a walking tour from Muckross House, Killarney to Dinis Cottage and a return boat trip on Muckross Lake.
The Showtel Trade Exhibition opens on Monday morning and is followed by the Annual General Meeting and elections. On Monday afternoon we are hosting the following two Industry workshops: Ahead of the Game - Marketing & Media Trends & Tactics; and Developing a Sustainable Career Culture within hotels.
That evening Norma Foley, TD, Minister for Education will present the Irish Hotels Federation Employee of the Year Awards and this ceremony will be followed by the President’s Dinner.
On Tuesday the main conference, chaired by Ivan Yates, will be opened by Denyse Campbell, President, Irish Hotels Federation followed by brief addresses from the main conference sponsors Electric Ireland and the Irish Hotels Federation Skillnet.
The Gala Dinner will be held on Tuesday evening and Denyse Campbell will present the IHF President’s Award.
CONFERENCE SPEAKER SESSIONS SUMMARY
The Tuesday conference sessions with our host, Ivan Yates, Irish broadcaster, businessman and former politician, are as follows:
Career Opportunities in Tourism and Hospitality: IHF President Denyse Campbell, Catherine Toolan, MD, DIAGEO Irish Brand Homes, Aileesh Carew, CEO, EPIC Museum and Bernadette Randles, IHF Kerry Branch Chair and Proprietor, Dromhall Hotel will share their career stories and insights into opportunities for advancement in a fireside chat with Ivan Yates.
Tourism Industry Forum: While there are positive signs on the road to recovery, our industry is facing into very worrying headwinds with enormous uncertainty around the future economic outlook, skills shortages, the energy crisis, inflation, the cost of doing business, rising interest rates and changing consumer preferences. Oliver Mangan, Chief Economist at AIB, Paul Kelly, CEO, Fáilte Ireland, Sarah Duignan, Director of Client Relationships, STR, Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland will discuss the industry outlook and the opportunities and challenges ahead, in a panel discussion session with Ivan Yates.
Shaping Brighter Futures - Emotional Intelligence and Leadership: Martyn Newman, PhD is a clinical psychologist specialising in Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Mindfulness. He believes that a brand is now much more than just a logo, it represents trust and an emotional contract between each employee and each customer and that the feelings, beliefs and perceptions that people hold towards a business will determine the level of engagement (and success) that business has. Martyn will share his insights into the importance of emotional intelligence to leaders in the pursuit of a business vision, which is in turn communicated to consumers who buy into the business’ values.
Straight Talking Attitude: Ronan O’Gara is one of the all-time most successful professionals in international rugby. He speaks with insight & honesty of his journey through the professional game from player to head coach. He reflects on many successes and occasional lows with the ‘straight-talking attitude’ that has become his trademark. As a coach Ronan recognises that a fit and healthy body can only get his players so far if they do not also take care of their mental health. He has achieved success by leading his team – not only with integrity but also with compassion. Ronan understands that the strongest player on the team can’t bring success on their own but instead it is the squad that works together which becomes a great team and is able to generate levels of adaptability, internal courage, trust, and empathy. Ronan O’Gara writes “When you get values and ambition aligning in the dressing room, you can move mountains". He will share his insights in a fireside chat with Ivan Yates.