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All of these events were organised with the support of the Cork Convention Bureau. The conference ambassadors were recognised for their vision and hard work in ensuring that Cork benefited from a well-needed boost of business tourism, and for helping the city continue to be a leading European destination for big conventions.
Over 40 business events brought an estimated 9,000 delegates to Cork in 2022, 80% of whom were international visitors. The value is estimated to be worth €14.4 million to the local economy.
Almost one in four of the events that Cork Convention Bureau supported were health related, which is testament to the high calibre of medical study taking place on Cork campuses, laboratories, and hospitals around the city, and Cork’s position as a centre for pharma excellence.
Conferences included the meeting of the Society of European Robotic Gynaecological Surgery SERGS, the International Conference on Food Digestion, and the Biennial Meeting of the Pulmonary Pathology Society.
Last night’s event was about celebrating the organisers, with four overall groups being honoured for their tireless work and commitment in bringing significant conferences to Cork.
- The Association Conference Award: Dr. Jenny Butler, a well-known folklorist and Lecturer in the Study of Religions Department, University College Cork, who brought two conferences to the city, the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism 2022 and the 20th European Association for the Study of Religions (EASR) 2022, attracting over 550 attendees.
- The Sporting Conference Award: This category was won by Liam Maher and Alan Craughwell who brought the high profile 2022 International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament & Conference to Musgrave Park. Estimated to be worth €1.7 million to the local economy, the two events brought 1,100 players, 650 volunteers and 25,000 spectators to the city for a week in June, with 28 men’s and women’s teams from 15 nations taking part.
- Academic Conference Award: There were a number of entrants in the academic category with Dr Niall Smith and Elizabeth Carroll Twomey from MTU taking the honour for bringing the European Science Engagement Association Annual Meeting (EUSEA) to the MTU’s Bishopstown Campus during the summer. The 3-day event brought the European science communications community together.
- Sector Recognition Award: This award was awarded to the Teagasc Moorepark Research Centre which organised three large international conferences in Cork city and one online event (due to pandemic restrictions). The events were attended by over 1,000 delegates. The events included: the 7th International conference on Food Digestion ICFD7; the European Dairy Farmers EDF; the 8th International conference on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level (WAFL); and a Symposium on Food Structure and Functionality.
The Awards were presented by Minister Simon Coveney TD, Minister Michael McGrath TD, the President of MTU Professor Maggie Cusack , and Teagasc Director Professor Frank O'Mara.
