Convention Centre Dublin Christmas Reception & ISES Information Evening

I held off sending out this ezine until today for a couple of reasons - first the Convention Centre Dublin was hosting a Christmas Reception yesterday evening, and I was sure I'd meet plenty of you there. I also really wanted to get a photo of Julie and Marie from the CCD, so that we could all have a photograph of their smiling faces to help us feel good into 2009.

Julie (seen above left with Julie and Linda from Croke Park) and Marie (seen above with Fiona from the RCPI) gave a presentation at the ISES information evening a couple of weeks ago. The presentation was on the Convention Centre Dublin and was designed to introduce the CCD to us. It turned out to be one of the most inspirational sessions I've been at - I was almost standing up applauding at these two positive, enthusiastic, warm, funny and yes, inspirational young women. CCD - You should be very proud of them - and hold onto them!

It was a lovely evening yesterday evening, delighted to see so many old friends (Lucy Horan, Marie Griffin, Eithne Fitzgerald, John Bourke, Terri Cullinane, Tracey Carney, Linda McCoy, Julie Manahan, Fiona Teehan, Catherine Bodley, Catherine Caiger Newhall, John Martin... I know I'm leaving people out - but it's not your fault!). The wine was flowing for the non-drivers, canapes delicious and plentiful and a lovely atmosphere.

I would probably have been one of the more sceptical people early on as to how much influence the CCD would have on our local and domestic business. The team that is in place is making it clear that the CCD is not just going to benefit those who work on the International Association Conference Circuit, but all of us. I hope it will, and even if not, it's a pleasure to have them around. Merry Christmas.

AvCom Made Me Play Games...

I mentioned back in August that EventTech was coming to town, so popped along to take a look and see was there much going on. There were a few of our members there, JustLite and AvCom for example, exhibiting. But Edwin Whelan insisted that I play some kind of video game involving cars and things... did I win? natch.

The 12 Mistakes of Christmas

The Events Industry Skillnet Christmas Networking was around the theme of the 12 Mistakes in Events... we got to hear some fun ones! And to meet more NEO members and new potential colleagues. Lovely to see Brian O'Reilly from Monte Carlo (everybody loves the Fun Photo Imaging mousemats), Ellen Gunning from the IAPR, Cormac Killeen and all of the Steering Group of the Events Industry Skillnet, including John Fitzgerald from Fun Ireland who told of a mistake I wouldn't be uttering in public!

Managing Your Time : Terry Harmer : An Events Industry Skillnet Training Course

I seem to be always working, so there must be something wrong with the way I'm managing my time. Maybe I just take on too much, but I figured that I should sharpen my saw (learned that at the time management course) and take a day out to see could I manage it better.

Terry Harmer - as you probably know by now - is one of my favourite people. Since he was delivering the course it was a double delight. What did I learn? I learned that I may be doing things the wrong way around by having quiet time in the mornings, when I'm an evening type of person. I learned about sharpening your saw - you know - the guy who's too busy sawing with a dull blade to stop and sharpen it. And I have quite a few tools to start examining my actual time management behaviour. I learned a lot about how to pass on tasks gracefully and was handed a few monkeys by fellow learners (you'll have to take the course to find out about the monkeys) including Clyde and the delightful Suzanne Walsh of Bright Futures.

Networking with the learners at the E-Marketing Courses
I also really enjoyed networking with Jill Hughes of Advantage ICO, Barry Kiely from Fun Ireland, Eva Acton from Floral Expressions (she's opening a retail unit soon - watch this space) and Diane Mulrennan of the IAPF at the e-marketing courses. Although it's tough to deliver two three hour sessions one after the other, it's also amazing how much you can pack in in such a short space of time. Everyone went home with buckets of notes, so you should be getting some interesting e-mail communications from them...

The Santa Train
I know, you want to know what the Santa Train is all about - well it's this beautiful garden centre in Co. Carlow called Rathwood. In the summer, their train does tours of the gardens, but at Christmas it turns into the Santa Train. We love the idea and are pleased as punch to be providing them with their booking system. I'll be sending a report from the day I take my grand-niece Suzannah on it (she'll be two in September, so happy birthday baba).

AEME Conference : Partners in Delivery - Educating for Employment

A couple of years ago we joined AEME, the Association of Event Management Educators. It's UK based but most of the Irish educators are also members. The first conference I attended was in 2006, and I got to know Lucy Horan from DIT quite well then. This year, the conference was in Sheffield, at the Sheffield Hallam University right in the heart of the City.

The topics for the 2 day event included a presentation from Eventia - the voice of the events industry in the UK. That was fascinating for me, to see the similarities between the UK industry and the Irish industry. We had a rather interesting discussion at one point (out of session) on why it is that the industry is so female dominated. I feel a thesis coming on...

In the afternoon of the first day, a second presentation from an industry association came from Simon Gravelling of NOEA - The National Outdoor Events Association. We didn't learn a huge amount about NOEA, but got to see some fascinating video and images from the Athens Olympics opening ceremony, which Simon had been responsible for staging. What an event!

There were breakout sessions concentrating on a lot of different themes. Most interesting for me was the one led by Conor Moss from University of Derby on their distance learning Event Safety module. I'm led to believe that there is even one Irish "student" signed up for it (and I know who he is...)

One of the nicest parts of the conference was catching up with people who have become like old friends. Including Glenn Bowdin of Leeds Metropolitan and Nicky and Sharon; Lucy Horan from DIT and Sara Jane Kickham from LIT. Not to mention the previously mentioned Conor Moss (he's one of us really, just living over there) and Liz Owen from Sheffield Hallam University and the extraordinarily entertaining Sue Johansson of Mypec. It was really brilliant to also meet Eugene Grey from the European Institute of Communications. Eugene was a pleasure to get to know and I look forward to seeing him again before too long.

The Irish Academy of Public Relations Network Launch
It must be something to do with the time of year, but the second event I got to attend this last while was the launch of the new Irish Academy Network for the communications industry. Many of us are included in that sector, as events do fall under the communications umbrella. Ellen Gunning - the powerhouse behind the Irish Academy (and the MediaScope programme on Events on Dublin City FM) and probably a lot more that I don't know about - has taken the lead in bringing the network together. It launched all over the country throughout March and April, and the Dublin official launch/first meeting took place at City Hall.

I hadn't realised that the Queen would be in attendance, so was delighted to find that Tricia Murphy was helping to facilitate the networking. We were broken into small groups and made to do things like tell everyone else in the group things like 3 things we wanted to do before we died. I've done most of mine, except for the George Clooney one... I love this photo of Tricia surveying her kingdom:

The Irish Academy Network will have it's new website up before the end of the Summer, and we'll let you know just how to get there as soon as.

After the hectic months that were January - April, culminating with the conference and rapidly followed by our brilliant holiday in Vegas [if you haven't been, you HAVE to go] we didn't get out much! We were invited to a few things that I would have loved to have gone to, including Tricia Murphy's lovely salon (I sooo missed the chocolate script writer), the Networth Summer BBQ and quite a few others.

I did get to go for half the day to the Irish Business Women's Forum conference in the Mullingar Park. It was brilliant to see so many old friends there - including people like Aileen from Sort My Books, and particularly brilliant to see Jenni Woolfson of Posh Fizz give a really funny, down to earth and heart rending presentation about setting up her business.

Jenni's been a member of NEO Ireland for a couple of years, and I first met her before she started her business at the Marketing Institute Events Management course. I feel kind of motherly towards her... am absolutely delighted to see this sparky, inventive and hard working young woman do so well.

Read all about her presentation, and those of the other IBW members and speakers at Frank Fullard's blog. Frank is the CEO of Mayo County Enterprise Board and the person behind the IBW forum. With over 2000 members now, and an active and lively discussion and support group, he deserves an honourary womanship in my opinion...

A Real Treat on La Peniche - Wine Barge and Bistro
I don't often get asked out for dinner, so when Eleanor Cullen invited me to dinner at La Peniche, it was my pleasure to jump at the chance! Not just the opportunity to get away from the desk for a few hours, but also to visit this engaging restaurant which is on a barge on the canal.
I'm not going to bore you with all the shop talk that went on between us, just let you know that much interesting conversation went on! Marie Murphy from Innovative Events was there also – much discussion about the upcoming Family Show and the Pet Expo which is heading to Cork as well this year.
We were met with Kir Royales when we stepped onto La Peniche, a real treat. The staff were absolutely charming, and really attentive. We were shown to our table and I have to say I really had wondered how they would keep diners apart. No problems there at all. Although it's a cosy environment, it's really not in the least bit uncomfortable.

After food was served, the captain took us on a little trip up the canal (in the barge, I hasten to add). It was an amazing experience, floating along past the bridges and seeing familiar sights in a completely different light! The commentary was hilarious, and although it was a little chilly (end of March) it was well worth the trip.
Eleanor gave me some information about La Peniche which I'm happy to share with you :

The menu is French/Italian Bistro cuisine and last year it was awarded Georgina Campbell’s Ireland - ‘Atmospheric Restaurant of the Year 2007’. A quick look at some of the pics on the lapeniche.ie website and you’ll see why! It’s warm and cosy, with a welcoming friendly staff.

La Peniche opened in October 2006 and is owned by Restaurateur Eric Tydgadt who also owns La Mere Zou on St Stephen’s Green, a firm favourite in Dublin for over 14 years now. Manager Paul McLoughlin runs the ship – so to speak – and says it has become so popular, primarily through word of mouth, that pre-booking at the weekends is essential to avoid disappointment.

The Skipper, known along the banks of the Grand Canal as Shane ‘Blah’ Lambert, is quite a unique Dublin character…….a dying breed….. and great fun in his commentary as La Peniche journeys down the canal and goes through the Locks.

Entertainment:
Musical entertainment is available on request and a couple of guitars are always on board for use by guests. Impromptu sing songs are quite regular occurrences and really add to this unique experience.

Opening Times: Lunch Wed to Fri from 12 noon Dinner Tues – Sat from 6pm Dinner Cruises Tues – Thurs departs 8pm returns 10.30pm

La Peniche is open for Lunch Wednesday to Friday from 12 noon and is very popular with businesses in the area because it’s such a real get-away from the office environment.

Opening times for Dinner - Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm with the ever popular Cruise Dinners every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening – casting off at 8pm and returning to the mooring at 10.30pm.

The maximum capacity is 47 guests for a sit-down meal, or up to 65 Guests for a canapé reception. For Groups of 25 or more, Exclusive Hire is necessary. The cost of exclusive hire for a day (12noon-6pm) or evening (6pm- 12midnight) is €1,000. This includes the provision of a Skipper/Safety officer and a Lockman to comply with our insurance regulations when cruising. This Fee can be negotiable depending on the day of the event, or, if the cruise is not required.

In preparing menus, the very best local suppliers have been sourced wherever possible and lots of attention is given to providing a really varied menu. Add to this the carefully selected beers from small, authentic, European breweries and organic, naturally brewed beer and cider. Wines are provided by local importers and at least 14 unique and interesting wines are available to try by the glass including some organic wines.

La Peniche is located on the Grand Canal at Mespil Road just a few steps from Baggot Street Bridge.

The event was held in the Absolute Hotel in Limerick, a luxury hotel that is as comfortable as it is chic. It’s situated right on the river Shannon in a grand old stone house, but on the inside it has every degree of modern comfort as well as an eclectic and original interior design that I found very easy on the eye.

As the evening drew to a close, it was time for the spot prize draw. When the business card bowl went around, alas, I didn’t have anything to put in. There is a rumor going around in the office that my business cards will be ready soon, but Sarah keeps putting it off to add more butterflies to the design. Naturally, I’m grateful that I’m going to have the prettiest, most butterfly-filled business cards in all of Ireland, but I think I have to hurry Sarah up a bit, since I’m starting to feel like I’m missing out on the spot prizes!

Clyde Carroll, on the other hand, in a display of pure cheek, was seen to drop not only one, but two different business cards into the bowl, which resulted in him winning a bottle of wine. However, since the members of the Steering Group put an awful lot of their time and energy into the Events Industry Skillnet, none of which is paid for, we can’t really begrudge him. “Because you’re worth it”, Clyde!

I spent the night in a very comfortable bed, and the next morning I discovered just how close to the river Shannon the restaurant side of the hotel is. I had a gorgeous view of the river to accompany my substantial breakfast, and I’m still curious as to whether those picturesque swans aren’t actually hired by the hotel.

All in all, the official launch of the Events Industry Skillnet was a raging success, and now that it's been well and truly launched, I'm looking forward to attending some more of the training courses. I hope I'll meet you there!