It seems like just yesterday we sat in Vancouver at the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) Global Conference, feeling the anticipation of the lively destination reveal. Next stop, Dublin, Ireland! While we had no idea at the time it would take two years to get us there due to the pandemic, it was absolutely worth the wait. Dublin is a city full of history and culture, while also becoming a large tech hub for Europe, with companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter calling it home. Add to this Trinity College, located in the heart of the city, and what you fi nd is a charming city bursting with activity around every corner. The true joy of Dublin is how walkable it is. Staying in the heart of the city, everything seemed to be no more than a 20- or 30-minute walk away. For groups who are looking to cut back on their emissions and budget, ditch the coaches for walking shoes and a friendly guide from Custom Ireland DMC to take you on a journey through the city to your off-site venue or a scenic walk to The Convention Centre Dublin. In fact, SITE Global Conference commemorated Earth Day with a group walk to the convention centre on the fi nal day, encouraging attendees to wear their Irish greens for extra impact. The Convention Centre Dublin was such a pleasure to arrive at each day. The building boasts an incredible view along the city’s River Liffey from every fl oor. It has an auditorium with a full theatrical stage where SITE’s Crystal Awards were handed out, and it can host banquets for up to 3,000 guests. There are also intimate boardrooms and meeting spaces for smaller groups. Accommodation options are plentiful in Dublin. If you’re looking for a luxury property for incentive groups, it’s worth considering The Merrion Hotel Dublin or the host hotel for SITE Global Conference, The Shelbourne Hotel. Both embrace the historic elegance of their properties and surroundings while offering high touch modern services. For small groups, it’s also a city bursting with boutique hotels. Check out The Alex Hotel Dublin for a laidback atmosphere in an Instagram- worthy art deco style. Directly across the road you’ll fi nd The Davenport. This newly renovated property offers more of a traditional, elegant setting in a building that dates back to the early 17th Century. The team at Fáilte Ireland along with the SITE staff and Conference Partners International created a conference experience that truly showcased the city. Offsites included a kickoff evening full of exploration, music and tasty delights at the Guinness Storehouse. This seven- storey landmark building provides a progressive experience for guests as they reach each fl oor, fi nishing with Gravity Bar up top, offering an incredible panoramic view of the city. On the fi nal evening, SITE took over the Museum of Literature Ireland, lovingly referred to by locals as “MoLI”. What was once a prominent townhome is now host to a number of immersive exhibitions on Ireland’s rich literary heritage. Guests can explore three fl oors of exhibits, get lost in the musings of a live storyteller, take a tour which includes access to the secret passageway or simply wander the tranquil gardens and catch up with colleagues. If you want to give your group a taste of the countryside, a visit to the ultra-sustainable urban farm and gardens, Airfi eld Estate, gives guests a reprieve from the bustle of the city. In addition to a guided tour through the working farm and estate, you can treat your group to a cooking demonstration or hands-on lesson in the Inspiration Kitchen. Another option is to venture to the seaside coast just 20 minutes away in Howth. Stop for a tasty seafood medley at the Abbey Tavern and then hop on a private cruise from Howth back into the Dublin Port for a scenic look at the rugged coastline of Ireland’s shores. SITE Global Conference demonstrated that Dublin can offer both conferences and incentive groups experiences that are uniquely Irish, at a service level expected from a world-class city. A participant’s view of the long-anticipated conference on the Emerald Isle by Melaya Horsten SITE GLOBAL DUBLIN Worth the wait motivate & celebrate G ui nn e ss St or e h o u se A ir fi el d E st a t e Th e S IT E C an ad a c on tin ge nt Summer 2022 | Ignitemag.ca | 43
