Cork has reinforced its ambition to grow as a leading international conference destination following another successful Keep Cork Meeting Expo, hosted by Cork Convention Bureau, the business events division of Visit Cork, at Páirc Uí Chaoimh today (March 26).
Recognised as the largest meetings expo in the country, the event brought together over 40 exhibitors spanning venues, hotels, transport providers, and event specialists, alongside more than 200 event planners, corporate bookers, academics and industry representatives, all focused on generating new conference opportunities for the region.
The expo forms part of a wider strategy to increase conference business in Cork, with Conference Ambassador Clinics once again proving a key driver of future leads. These clinics support individuals connected to international associations in bringing global meetings to Cork, offering practical guidance and access to financial support. As more ambassadors come forward, more potential conference leads are created – leads which Visit Cork can actively support and convert into confirmed events for the region.
Conference and business events continue to deliver significant economic value, contributing approximately €150 million to the Cork economy since the bureau’s establishment in 2017. This underlines the sector’s importance not just for tourism, but for wider economic development, supporting jobs, local businesses, and Cork’s global profile.
One of the speakers, President of University College Cork, Professor John O’Halloran, noted that conferences play a vital role in enhancing the reputation of Cork’s third-level institutions, showcasing research excellence, and creating opportunities to attract international funding and collaboration.
Industry insights were also shared by representatives from across the sector, including Business Events 2030, Meeting Professionals International and Fáilte Ireland, highlighting the strong national framework supporting business events.
Since 2009, Fáilte Ireland’s Conference Ambassador Programme has supported more than 3,000 ambassadors in bidding to host international conferences across Ireland, representing the potential to deliver over €2 billion in economic value to national and regional economies – and Cork is one of the best performing regions. The programme provides tailored supports to help ambassadors secure international events, from bid development to financial assistance and destination expertise.
Speaking at the event, Evelyn O’Sullivan, Manager of Cork Convention Bureau, said the continued growth of the Keep Cork Meeting Expo reflects Cork’s strong trajectory in the business events sector. “Expanding the network of conference ambassadors remains central to securing future international events and sustaining long-term economic impact,” she said,
The event also saw the announcement of the Visit Cork Green Awards – the winners announced were Ocean Escapes and Cork International Film Festival, recognising outstanding sustainability initiatives across the tourism and events sector.
Seamus Heaney, head of Visit Cork said, “As Cork continues to build momentum, initiatives like Keep Cork Meeting and the Green Awards play a vital role in strengthening partnerships, generating new opportunities, and ensuring the region remains competitive on the global stage for tourism, conferences and business events.”
If you have an idea for a business event or conference and need support, see corkconventionbureau.com.
Established in 2007, Cork Convention Bureau is a public–private partnership dedicated to promoting Cork as a leading business events destination and generating conference opportunities for the region. It operates as part of Visit Cork, which also promotes leisure tourism through the Pure Cork brand.
