Two days. One connected conference experience.
The Irish Hotels Federation Annual Conference brought more than 300 hoteliers and industry leaders to Gleneagle for two days of discussion, learning, networking and celebration.
But this was much more than a traditional conference. Alongside the main programme, Gleneagle accommodated the Showtel trade exhibition with more than 90 suppliers, masterclasses, the IHF AGM, awards, networking, live entertainment and two major evening events, while onsite accommodation was at full capacity.
The result was a complex national conference with many moving parts, brought together in one connected destination.
The IHF needed a venue capable of accommodating very different elements of its annual conference simultaneously, while keeping the experience easy and connected for delegates.
Across two days, the programme moved between registration, a major trade exhibition, closed member sessions, masterclasses, keynote presentations, panel discussions, awards, networking and hospitality.
The evening programme added another dimension, with the President's Dinner and live entertainment on Monday followed by a drinks reception and themed black-tie Gala Dinner on Tuesday.
Different spaces across Gleneagle worked together to accommodate each part of the programme.
Gleneagle Arena became the home of Showtel, with registration on the stage area and delegate lunches served in the Mezzanine overlooking the exhibition.
The Mangerton moved through multiple formats across the two days, hosting a Future Leaders breakfast masterclass, the IHF AGM, further masterclasses, the Employee of the Year Awards and the main conference programme.
The Ballroom hosted Monday night's President's Dinner and a performance from Keith Barry before being reimagined for a very different event the following evening.
The combination of spaces allowed conference sessions, exhibition, catering, networking and evening events to remain connected while each retained its own identity.
Tuesday night's The Wild Rose Gala Dinner brought the conference to a close with an experience created especially for the occasion.
Inspired by Killarney's Jessie Buckley, the black-tie finale took delegates on a musical journey through the songs and melodies connected with her rise to international acclaim.
It was a fitting example of what happens when event production, hospitality and entertainment come together: the functional requirements of a conference become part of a wider delegate experience.
With Gleneagle's four-star accommodation at full capacity, delegates could stay at the heart of the conference throughout.
Conference and exhibition spaces, accommodation, restaurants and bars, catering, networking, entertainment and social events were all onsite. Delegates could move from breakfast masterclass to exhibition, conference session, dinner and entertainment without leaving Gleneagle.
For organisers, that connectivity simplifies the logistics behind a complex programme. For delegates, it creates more opportunities to meet, talk and spend time together beyond the formal conference agenda.
Over two days, Gleneagle accommodated 300+ delegates and more than 90 suppliers, alongside a national conference, trade exhibition, AGM, masterclasses, keynote presentations, panel discussions, awards, networking, multiple dining experiences and live entertainment.
One event. Many moving parts. All connected.
From the first session to the final dinner, talk to our team about building a conference around your programme, delegates and ambitions.
