International Congress and Convention Association

How to compete for the ICCRM

Eimear DunneDublin Convention Bureau

12th European ICCRM

Date: Friday, 23rd June 2006

iccaworld.com

Dublin Convention Bureau – About Us

Established 2003 by;

Dublin TourismIrish Hotel FederationDublin City CouncilAssociation of Irish Professional Conference Organisers.

Membership funded – currently approx 120 members 3 staff: Jean Evans, CEO

Eimear Dunne, Business Development Manager Donna Brogan, Business Development Coordinator

Board of Directors representing all interests of business tourism suppliers

Core target sectors;

- Association Conferences- International Meetings: Internal and External Meetings

Dublin Convention Bureau

• Mission: To promote Dublin as a Business Tourism destination by creating awareness of its advantages and offering solutions that meet the needs of clients and members.

• Vision: A dynamic, can-do convention bureau with a strong membership base that successfully positions Dublin as a top 10 European destination.

• Positioning: We are positioning Dublin as an accessible destination with an excellent accommodation and service infrastructure. The DCB is promoting Dublin as a knowledge capital and a vibrant, dynamic, cultural and an exciting city to visit. In doing this we also portray Ireland as an excellent country in which to do business, thereby promoting Dublin and Ireland as a place in which to invest.

DCB guidelines for submitting bids

• Know yourself/your organisation• Know your product• Know your suppliers• Know what client wants• Know how to present bid to best suit

client’s wishes• Know what your destination’s ‘X

factor’ is

Dublin SWOT AnalysisStrengths Weaknesses

• Easy access

• English speaking

• Euro zone

• Irish welcome

• Experienced conference industry

• Large number of smaller hotels

• Internationally branded hotels

• Good range of products

• Good average size of hotels

• No tax back/VAT on F&B

• No National Convention Centre

• Shortage of large banqueting facilities

• No financial incentives to offer potential clients

• Limited direct air access

• Traffic

Opportunities Threats

•Safe destination

•National Convention Centre

•Increasing number of women & older delegates

•Shorter meetings/incentives

•Profile as city break destination

•World leader in technology/communications

• Increased competition

• Perceived as expensive destination

•National Convention Centre not being built in time to harness business

• Global instability

• Slow economic recovery

• Travel safety concerns

Initial reasons why we wanted the 13th ICCRM to come to Dublin

• Understood association, believed Dublin could meet ICCA’s objectives for this event

• Active member of ICCA, CEO on board of UK & I chapter

• ICCA has never held an event in Dublin

• Obvious fit with our strengths;

accessibility from Europe

social/networking aspect

well developed and experienced conference industry

• Relatively young CB – success would help build our profile in the industry

• Success would also promote Dublin to our peers – put us on the business tourism map

Team Dublin• DCB-led bid with strong support from the industry

• ‘Dream team’ included Bravo Group, Citywest Hotel, Conference, Leisure & Golf Resort, Guinness Storehouse, Aer Lingus and Failte Ireland

• Excellent sponsorship secured

• Dublin wanted the 13th ICCRM and actively pursued it in a focused, co-ordinated manner

Factors considered by ICCA in destination selection

• Bid compliance• Overall quality of the bid• Level of support/evidence of teamwork

from ICCA members in the bidding city• Value for money – ICCA perspective• Value for money – delegate perspective

Our bid document

Our bid document• Presented in accordance with ICCA requirements

• Clear and easy to understand

• Transparency

• Exact costings and details of sponsorship secured

• Outlined value for money for delegate

• Detailed excellent facilities available for meeting

• Described appeal of social venues

• Demonstrated our commitment to ICCA through UK & I chapter activities

• Supported by letters of endorsement from ICCA members – Advantage ICO, Bravo Group, Failte Ireland, Citywest Hotel, Conference Partners, Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport, Jigsaw Management, Ovation, Platinum One, Ultimate Communications

Our marketing support for 13th ICCRM

• Attendance at 12th ICCRM as speaker & to promote Dublin at closing session

• PR – press release issued this week

• Sponsorship

• Constant promotion over coming year through press releases, ezines, DCB website, trade shows

• Collaborate with ICCA through their website, announcements, ezines

Our ‘X factor’

• Dublin’s destination appeal which is primarily based on intangibles such as;

- our céad míle fáilte

- our easygoing and fun loving people

- our lifestyle or ‘craic’ (good times)

- our ability to put people at their ease

- our city’s combination of modern and traditional

• Dublin attracts high attendance rates due to its destination appeal

13th ICCRM Dublin1st Announcement

Highlights of 13th ICCRM Dublin

• Strong educational programme

• Excellent networking opportunities in unique settings such as:

- Citywest Hotel & Conference Centre – venue for 13th ICCRM and welcome dinner

- Johnnie Fox’s in the Dublin mountains

- Guinness Storehouse

• Experience the welcome, the warmth and the fun that Dublin is renowned for

• Great opportunity to extend your visit

Factors contributing to our successful bid

• Research• Understanding of client’s needs and objectives for

the event• Desire to build long term, ongoing relationship

with the client and demonstration of same• Pro-active, professional and integrated approach• High level of teamwork, enthusiasm/commitment

and support from local industry• Dublin represents good value for money• Dublin’s destination appeal

International Congress and Convention Association

How to compete for the ICCRM

Eimear DunneDublin Convention Bureau

12th European ICCRMDate: Friday, 23rd June 2006

iccaworld.com

Thank you!