- Call for any information: +353 (0)87 677 1252
- Killarney, Co. Kerry
- [email protected]
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
BUSINESS SUPPOR STANDS: https://conference.iaat.ie/iaat-partner-services/
MORNING SESSION FROM 10AM
10am Opening: Brendan Kenny (CEO, IAAT)
10.05am Welcome: Cllr Breandán Fitzgerald (Mayor, County Kerry)
10.15am IAAT Keynote: Colin Wolfe (Chair, IAAT)
10.25am The State of Tourism: Eoghan O’Mara Walsh (CEO, ITIC)
10.40am PANEL – NOTES FROM THE SECTOR: with Barry Flanagan (Erne Water Taxis), Clare Wheatley (Real Adventures Connemara), Jamie Flannery (Dingle Sea Safari), Eoghan McCarthy (Ballyhass Adventure Centre) – moderated by Pól Ó Conghaile (Travel Editor, Irish Independent)
11.15AM: NETWORKING BREAK
11.45am Coillte’s Recreation Programme: Bryan Fennell (Recreation Team Leader, Coillte)
11.55am PANEL – COMMUNITY, ECOLOGY & CULTURE: with Lorcan McBride (Director, Far & Wild), Fionn Kidney (Co-Founder, Common Knowledge), Prof Mary Cawley (University of Galway) – moderated by Tina O’Dwyer (Founder, The Tourism Space)
12.35am Practical AI for Adventure Tourism: Ciaran Connolly (Founder, ProfileTree)
IAAT Update
1.00PM: LUNCH BREAK
AFTERNOON SESSION FROM 2pM
2.00pm Update on Insurance Reform: Brian Hanley (CEO, Alliance for Insurance Reform)
2.15pm Blueways Opportunities: Chris Scott (Coordinator & Development Advisor, Blueways Partnership)
2.30pm Kerry Tourism Industry Federation: Pat O’Leary (Chair, KTIF)
2.40pm PANEL – OUR ADVENTURE ISLAND: with Alice Mansergh (Tourism Ireland), Eimear Callaghan (Tourism Northern Ireland), Miriam Kennedy (Wild Atlantic Way-Fáilte Ireland), Colin Wolfe (Ireland Wild Escapes and IAAT) – moderated by Pól Ó Conghaile (Travel Editor, Irish Independent)
3.20pm KEYNOTE: Dermot Whelan (Broadcaster, Comedian and Meditation Expert)
4.00PM: Close with Brendan Kenny
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, Fáilte Ireland-Wild Atlantic Way and Discover Kerry.
See the full list of supporting organisations HERE.
*all times and content may be subject to change
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
The Conference theme is ‘People. Process. Place‘, reflecting our role in showcasing outdoor activities in a culturally sensitive manner that protects and regenerates our natural environment & communities. We are determined that the next generation has pride of place through extensive access to outdoor adventure, not just as users, but as custodians of our stunning natural landscape.
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, FareHarbor, Tourism Northern Ireland, 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.