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Rural Teaching Hub at University of Limerick’ s School of Medicine, allowing students to spend 25 % of their clinical training in rural communities. A novel Rural GP Fellowship Programme was created, supported by a € 1.4m investment from the Health Service Executive( HSE) and the publication of the‘ Limerick Declaration on Rural Healthcare’ provided a blueprint for improving high-quality healthcare in rural and remote areas nationally and internationally. WONCA 2022 demonstrated how a conference can directly influence national policy, empower communities, and reshape the future of healthcare delivery.
These events exemplify the iceberg analogy referenced in the Business Events 2030 strategy: while the visible tip represents immediate tourism revenue, the deeper impact lies in knowledge transfer, policy influence, and societal transformation.
Sustainability and legacy as core principles Ireland’ s commitment to sustainability is embedded in its new business events strategy. IGC 2024 was hosted in Dublin City University which is part of Dublin City Council’ s de-carbonising zone and raised funds through an optional environmental levy to support carbon insetting projects on university campuses in Ireland as a legacy project.
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It featured a hybrid format with the Royal Geographical Society in London, expanding reach of the congress with no additional carbon impact. The event eliminated paper waste through digital access and used sustainable materials for badges and lanyards. Water refill stations and vegetarian menus options as standard, further reinforced its sustainable credentials.
ESMC 2022 adopted a paperless format and avoided plastic containers. These practices reflect the goals of the Business Events 2030 strategy, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by 45 % by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050. The strategy encourages the use of sustainability toolkits, green grants, and collaborative carbon impact management to ensure that business events contribute positively to Ireland’ s environmental goals.
WONCA 2022 also embraced sustainability and inclusion as core principles. From its planning to execution, the event prioritised community engagement and long-term
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Top left: International Gynecologic Cancer Society meeting in Dublin
Bottom left: Dublin City University ' s Polaris building and events venue.( Photo courtesy of Failte Ireland)
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impact. It demonstrated how events can be designed to maximise social value.
Ireland’ s approach to legacy is not an afterthought – it is a guiding principle. The Business Events 2030 strategy calls for intentional impact across economic, social, and environmental pillars, and these events are living proof of that vision in action.
Ireland’ s blueprint for global leadership in Business Events Ireland’ s success in hosting impactful association conferences is underpinned by a collaborative ecosystem involving universities, local councils, national tourism bodies, and global associations. Organisations like Fáilte Ireland play a pivotal role in enabling conference ambassadors, facilitating logistics, and ensuring strategic alignment with national goals.
Recognition of these achievements came through Fáilte Ireland’ s biannual Conference Ambassador Recognition Awards, where Professor Peter McHugh( ESMC) was named Conference Ambassador of the Year 2023, and Professor Liam Glynn( WONCA) won the award for Social Impact and Legacy recognising the conference’ s transformative impact on rural healthcare.
As Niamh Moore Cherry, chair of The International Geographical Congress 2024, aptly stated:“ A powerful legacy of this event would be to take the networking and dialogue that has begun this week and build on it in the coming months and years … to use our networks for good, in the service of our discipline but also our society and planet.”
This ethos captures the essence of Ireland’ s approach to international association conferences – not as isolated gatherings, but as springboards for enduring impact. For associations seeking to create meaningful legacy, Ireland offers not only world-class venues and hospitality, but a collaborative ecosystem committed to making every event a force for good. n
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