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Day 2 – Insights & Inspiration

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DAY 2 | DISCUSSIONS, PRESENTATIONS, BREAKOUT SESSIONS & NETWORKING

Registration from 8.30am in the Knockranny House Hotel
Thu 27th November 

Day 2 will feature a series of brilliant, practical insights and inspiration from industry leaders and operators through talks and panel discussions, as we gather once again to reflect on the challenges and opportunities we face.  

REGISTRATION OPENS FROM 8.30AM – REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE

MORNING SESSION FROM 10AM

  • Opening: Brendan Kenny (CEO, IAAT)
  • Welcome from Cllr Sean Carey (Mayor, County Mayo)
  • IAAT Keynote: Colin Wolfe (Chair, IAAT)
    .
  • The State of Irish Tourism: Eoghan O’Mara Walsh (CEO, ITIC)
    .
  • PANEL – NOTES FROM THE SECTOR –
    Insights from leading businesses in the sector including Muirti O Cearnaigh (Summersup.ie), Yuka Goodbody (Big Style) and Hanno Windisch (FreeDive NI) 
    – moderated by Pól Ó Conghaile (Travel Editor, Irish Independent) 
    .
    NETWORKING BREAK
    .
  • 11.35pm: PANEL – THE INTERNATIONAL VIEW International Expert Panel from Greenland, France and Scotland discussing trends, challenges and opportunities from around the world. 
    .
    12.15pm Breakout Sessions (choose one only):
    – AI Marketing for adventure tourism 
    – Negotiating your insurance renewal 
    – The Benefits of Accessible & Inclusive adventure tourism

.
LUNCH BREAK

AFTERNOON SESSION FROM 2pM

  • IAAT Update: on insurance, access, marketing, and more. 
  • 2.10pm: PANEL – OUR ADVENTURE ISLAND: with Alice Mansergh (Tourism Ireland), Joanne Grehan (Director of Services, Mayo County Council), Paul Keeley (Interim CEO, Fáilte Ireland), Eimear Callaghan (Head of Experience & Industry Development, Tourism NI), Colin Wolfe (Chair, IAAT)
    – moderated by Pól Ó Conghaile (Travel Editor, Irish Independent)
    .
  • Maura Kiely – CEO, Leave No Trace Ireland 
    .
  • 2025 Spirit of Adventure: TBC 
    .
  • Brendan Kenny, IAAT CEO 

INFORMATION POINTS & CLINIC STANDS offering practical supports will also be available in the foyer for practical supports throughout the day. Exhibitors include the Alliance for Insurance Reform, FareHarbor, Sustainable Tourism Network, Arachas Insurance, Waterways Ireland, and Fáilte Ireland-Wild Atlantic Way. 

See the full list of supporting organisations HERE. 

*all times and content may be subject to change

4 GREAT REASONS TO ATTEND!

1. BE INFORMED
by hearing from and meeting industry colleagues and leaders on the key issues facing our industry, and the future of adventure tourism

2. BE CONNECTED
through networking and collaboration opportunities across both days

3. BE INSPIRED
by an extraordinary keynote and other speakers

4. BE EXHILARATED
by enjoying the local adventure activities on offer

imbas

The Conference theme is ‘Imbas‘, an old Irish art of gaining knowledge or inspiration from listening to nature.

About IAAT

Ireland’s Association for Adventure Tourism (IAAT) is the representative body for over 250 adventure activity tourism operators, in a sector that employs over 8,000 people across every county on the island of Ireland.

Our members include adventure centres, waterparks, tour operators and businesses offering kayaking, biking, hiking, rafting, horse-riding, coasteering, and many more activities. These businesses offer enjoyable activities to both domestic and international markets, activities that promote positive physical & mental health, as well as risk education in controlled settings and pathways to long-term participation.

IAAT is partnered with the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA), Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland, FareHarbor, the Sustainable Tourism Network, the European Confederation of Outdoor Employers (EC-OE) and the European Platform for Sport Innovation (EPSI).

Benefits of IAAT membership include representation & lobbying, being part of a community of industry peers, free or discounted access to training workshops and events, insurance support including access of application to the member group scheme, and discounted access to equipment.

The adventure activity sector brings in over €1bn / £870m in annual tourism revenue to Ireland.