Dublin Convention Centre Welcomed

The new Convention Centre in Dublin will allow Ireland to open its doors to the world.

That's according to Mary Hanafin, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Speaking last week she said: "Major international companies have identified Ireland as the place they want to do business, and having this new Conventions Centre Dublin (CCD) open will enable more people to come to Ireland for both business and leisure reasons and sample all that is good about the country."

The Minister was speaking at the opening of the first conference being held in the new Convention Centre Dublin - Meet in Ireland 2010 Workshop - hosted by the tourism agencies.

Some 120 top international buyers and influencers in the world of business tourism came from major markets overseas to personally sample this great new facility and the wider business tourism product.

Minister Hanafin said the CCD moves Ireland to a new competitive level in terms of the range of conferences we can work to attract.

It also demonstrates our commitment to, and our confidence in, tourism as an engine of economic growth. "We will welcome all of those groups who want to come here to learn from each other, and share their ideas.

"We welcome lawyers to discuss justice and equality issues, medical practitioners who will share their expertise in fighting illness and disease.

"We will welcome the pharmaceutical industry who will share their research with new ground-breaking work. We will welcome technology conferences that will connect us and help improve the quality of our lives," she insisted, noting that environmentalists who will challenge our thinking on the world will also come.

The newly opened Convention Centre Dublin is capable of accommodating up to 2,000 delegates in plenary session and 8,000 at any one time.

It also has some 22 multi-purpose meeting rooms and approximately 4500m² of flexible exhibition and banqueting space, along with associated press and delegate support facilities and general utility spaces.

Concluding Minister Hanafin said: "Ireland is very well placed to combine the ingredients of business achievement.

"High tech facilities come as standard at conference and meeting venues in Ireland, whether it is the luxury of a historic castle or a purpose built conference centre, such as the Convention Centre Dublin."

(BMcC/KMcA)