CONFERENCE 2015

Strength in Resilience

Slieve Russell Hotel Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan Sunday 22nd - Tuesday 24th February IHF Annual Conference 2015 Conference Content

The Irish Hotels Federation is hosting Strength in Resilience, the 77th Annual Conference and Showtel Exhibition at the Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan from 22nd – 24th February 2015.

The IHF Conference provides an important business and social platform for hotel owners, general managers, industry professionals, service providers and product suppliers. You can keep up to date on breaking trends affecting the industry, meet with other industry participants and find great supplier deals and opportunities at Showtel and enjoy the many social events and networking opportunities.

Irish hotels and guesthouses are optimistic going into 2015. Overseas visitor figures are growing and there are positive signals in the home market following years of subdued consumer confidence. However, despite this renewed sense of confidence, many hoteliers have yet to benefit from the recovery.

Our industry is in constant change and the challenges we face help build the resilience we need, not just to survive, but to thrive despite adversity and it is in this context that the theme of the 2015 IHF Conference is Strength in Resilience.

Conference Outline

There will be a golf competition on Sunday followed by the Welcome Buffet. The Showtel Trade Exhibition opens on Monday morning and is followed by the Annual General Meeting and elections.

On Monday afternoon we are hosting simultaneous workshops on Employment and Sales and Marketing. Following the workshop sessions we will host a Tourism Development Forum.

On Tuesday the main conference, chaired by Bobby Kerr, will be opened by Michael Ring TD, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, followed by brief addresses from Stephen McNally, President, Irish Hotels Federation and the main conference sponsors – e m Alan Waite, Managing Director, Brakes and Jim Dollard, Executive Director, Electric Ireland. y p t l i o l Minister Ring will then present the Irish Hotels Federation Quality Employer Awards. y

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The Tourism Development Forum and Conference Speaker Sessions are summarised below. r Q The Gala Dinner will be held on Tuesday evening and TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Q Sport will address the delegates. Stephen McNally will present the President’s Award. Tourism Development Forum

This year we have added a Tourism Development Forum to discuss the successful return to growth and where the industry can go from here including the role of Government, Local Authorities, the Agencies, the Industry and Local Communities.

Michael Cawley, Chairman of Fáilte Ireland, will share his insights into the drivers of tourism growth in the context of Fáilte Ireland being charged with the task of being ever more efficient and targeted in investment selection.

Pat McCann, Chief Executive, Dalata Hotel Group Plc, Dr Howard Hastings OBE, NITB Board Chairman, Managing Director, Hastings Hotels and Director of Tourism Ireland and Tom Randles, Director of Randles Hotels Killarney will join Michael Cawley on a panel to discuss potential growth and what we have to do to compete for overseas visitors. Conference Speaker Sessions Summary

In line with the conference theme Strength in Resilience, the Tuesday conference sessions are as follows:

Hotel Industry Dynamics and Trends: Professor Alan Ahearne, Economist, will present a paper on the enormous success for the Government’s measures to help restore competitiveness to the Industry including the 9% VAT rate. Sarah Duignan, Director of Account Management, STR Global will track trends in occupancy and room rates in Ireland and our main competitor countries and cities. Aiden Murphy, Partner, Crowe Horwath will provide an update on the financial challenges facing our industry and ownership changes.

Travel Insights, Changes in Travel Customer Behaviour: David Zammitt, Industry Manager, Google UK Travel Team will present Google Insights into the travel customer and the pathways used to search online for and to book a hotel bedroom. He will cover recent changes in behaviour and what the future may hold for hoteliers in Ireland.

Service Culture Can Grow Sales: Alan O’Neill, Change Consultant, Kara Change Management, will show us how to develop a customer focused service culture providing practical examples on how to inspire our people into action, to achieve consistency and increase sales.

Strength in Resilience: Warren MacDonald, Inspirational Keynote Speaker helps businesses and associations navigate uncertainty and build resilience. He will help us equip ourselves and those around us with a mind-set that seeks solutions and that looks for opportunities rather than obstacles.

Building Successful Teams: Brian Cody, Kilkenny Senior Hurling Team Manager, who is the longest serving team manager in Ireland, will share his insights on what it takes to make a team successful and what keeps him motivated to keep going. IHF Annual Conference 2015 Paschal Donohoe TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal is a member of Dáil Éireann, representing the constituency of Dublin Central. Prior to his appointment as the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal was the Minister for European Affairs at the Department of An and the Department of Foreign Affairs. He was elected as a TD in 2011 when he topped the poll in Dublin Central. Prior to his election, he was a member of Seanad Éireann from 2007 to 2011 and served as member of Dublin City Council from 2004 to 2007. Paschal was formerly the Chair of Ireland’s Future in Europe Sub-Committee, as well as a member of the Public Accounts Committee. He has also served as the Vice-Chair of the European Affairs Committee and, as a Senator, he served as a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport. Paschal is a graduate of University of Dublin, Trinity College where he obtained a degree in Politics and Economics and attended St. Declan’s CBS, Cabra.

Michael Ring TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport Michael Ring is Ireland’s Minister of State with responsibility for Tourism and Sport since March 2011 and has been a member of the Irish Parliament since 1994. Previously he worked as an auctioneer. Michael has served on a number of Parliamentary Committees including on Women’s Rights, Enterprise and Economic Strategy and Social and Family Affairs. He has also served as Shadow Spokesperson on Agriculture, Social and Family Affairs and Health and Children.

Stephen McNally, President, Irish Hotels Federation

Stephen McNally is the 35th President of the Irish Hotels Federation. He is Deputy Chief Executive of the Dalata Hotel Group Plc, the largest hotel operator in Ireland. He completed his hotel studies in Rockwell Hotel and Catering School. During his career, Stephen gained extensive experience with Ramada Hotels in the UK and Germany, completing the Ramada management development programme. He subsequently joined Jurys Hotel Group Plc which became Jurys Doyle Hotel Group Plc and ultimately managed operations for the entire Group’s 33 properties. In 2007 he became Director and Deputy Chief Executive of Dalata, with overall responsibility for the Group’s hotel operations.

Bobby Kerr, Entrepreneur, Broadcaster and Presenter

Bobby is the Chairman of Insomnia coffee, a presenter on Down to Business, the Newstalk radio show and one of the original Dragons on Dragons’ Den. Bobby is passionate about small business. He sits on the Credit Control Committee and Board of Microfinance Ireland, a not for profit lender that provides loans to small businesses. He is also a member of the Small Business Advice Programme which provides free support to SMEs and currently serves as a non-executive director of the DIT Foundation.

Alan Waite, Managing Director, Brakes

Alan Waite has been Managing Director of the Brakes Ireland food service business since 2011. He has over thirty years’ experience in the food service industry. Having established a new multi temperature facility in Park West Dublin in 2013, a key focus of the business in 2015 is the implementation of technology to help make it easier for customers to place orders, schedule and monitor deliveries thereby enhancing overall customer service.

Jim Dollard, Executive Director, Electric Ireland

Jim Dollard is Executive Director of Electric Ireland. Electric Ireland is part of ESB Group and is one of Ireland’s leading retail brands. It operates in the electricity and gas markets and has approximately 1.5 million customers. Jim began his career at ESB in 1992 and has previously held a number of Senior Management positions throughout the company including most recently Acting Group Financial Controller and Financial Controller ESB Energy International.

Professor Alan Ahearne, Economist

Professor and Head of Economics at the NUI Galway, Alan is also a Member of the Commission (Board) of the Central Bank of Ireland and Adviser to the IMF. Alan served as Special Adviser to the former Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan from March 2009 until March 2011. Previously, he worked as a Senior Economist at the Federal Reserve Board. Alan holds a Ph.D. in economics from Carnegie Mellon University. IHF Annual Conference 2015 Sarah Duignan, Director of Account Management, STR Global

Sarah departed Irish shores in 2005 having spent seven years in hotel operations. She joined the HotelBenchmark team at Deloitte in London which subsequently formed part of STR Global when it merged with The Bench and Smith Travel Research in 2008. She holds an Honours Degree in Translation from Dublin City University.

Aiden Murphy, Partner, Crowe Horwath

Aiden is a Partner within the Corporate Recovery Department and primarily deals with hotel, tourism and leisure projects and property and trading insolvency cases. Aiden is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Financial Advisor with 19 years’ experience. For the past 17 years he has produced the Ireland and Northern Ireland Annual Hotel Industry Survey. Aiden has provided financial and banking mentoring and monitoring services to the hotel sector and also consults with business owners and financial institutions on financial restructuring, negotiation of agreements, business and strategic planning and operational efficiencies.

David Zammitt, Industry Manager, Google UK Ltd.

David Zammitt is an Industry Manager working in Google’s UK Travel Team, specialising in the hospitality sub-sector. He has been at Google for four years, working with some of the UK’s top travel advertisers, helping them to identify trends in consumer behaviour and technology adoption and align their online advertising strategies accordingly. He is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin.

Alan O’Neill, Change Consultant, Kara Change Management

Alan O’Neill has 30+ years of front line and board experience and as an international expert in Customer Service. He supports iconic global brands like Selfridges, Harrods and Disney to be the best in their industry. Alan gained his front line experience initially in retail as an owner/manager then as a distributor in homewares, hair and beauty and coffee. He is currently working on his new book Super Service Made Simple with other titles in the pipeline.

Warren MacDonald, Inspirational Keynote Speaker

Warren Macdonald’s life’s boundaries were redefined in April 1997 with his accident on North Queensland’s Hinchinbrook Island. Climbing to the Island’s tallest peak, he became trapped beneath a one tonne slab boulder in a freak rock fall. Two days later he was rescued, only to undergo the amputation of both legs at mid-thigh. Just ten months later he climbed Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain using a modified wheelchair and the seat of his pants. In 2003 he became the first double above-knee amputee to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and more recently, in a spectacular effort requiring more than 2,800 pull-ups over 4 days, created history once again in an ascent of America’s tallest cliff face, El Capitan. Warren’s first bookA Test of Will is an Australian bestseller and featured in an episode of the Discovery Channel series I Shouldn’t Be Alive. His film The Second Step documenting the four- week journey to Federation Peak, Australia’s most challenging mountain summit has been acclaimed worldwide, screening on National Geographic Television and winning eight international awards. Warren has appeared on Larry King Live and The Oprah Winfrey Show and has written articles for CNN World Edition, Australian Geographic and Professional Speaker.

Brian Cody, Kilkenny Senior Hurling Team Manager

Brian Cody is Kilkenny’s ten-time All-Ireland winning hurling manager and the longest serving team manager in Ireland. A former player, Brian was part of the famous 1970s Kilkenny team, often described as the greatest of all time. In a senior inter-county career that lasted from 1973 until 1986, he won four All-Ireland senior hurling titles and captained Kilkenny Minor and Senior Teams to victory (’72 & ’82). As a manager he has had remarkable success. Appointed Kilkenny Senior Hurling Manager in 1999, he has since won ten All-Ireland titles. A graduate of St Patrick’s College Dublin, Brian has been the Principal of De La Salle national school in Kilkenny since 2009. He was awarded the Freedom of Kilkenny City in 2008, an Honorary Doctorate from UCC in 2012 and the President’s Award at the Glanbia Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce Business Awards in 2014. IHF Annual Conference 2015 Tourism Development Forum

Michael Cawley, Chairman, Fáilte Ireland

Michael Cawley is Chairman of Fáilte Ireland and a Non-Executive director of Ryanair Plc, Paddy Power Plc and Kingspan Group Plc. A chartered accountant, Michael joined Ryanair in 1997 and was centrally involved in the IPO in May of that year, assumed the additional responsibilities as Commercial Director in September 1997 and saw the company secure a London Stock Exchange listing in 1998. In 2003 he was appointed Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Chief Executive. In 2014 Michael stepped down from his full-time role and then joined the Board in a Non-Executive capacity. Prior to joining Ryanair, Michael worked in a number of different industries including distribution and manufacturing.

Pat McCann, Chief Executive, Dalata Hotel Group Plc.

Pat began his career in the hotel business in 1969 with Ryan Hotels Plc and joined Jurys Hotel Group Plc in 1989. He became Chief Executive of Jurys Doyle Hotel Group Plc in 2000, a position he held until 2006 when that company was acquired by a private consortium. In August 2007 he formed Dalata Hotel Group which subsequently floated on the Dublin and London Stock Exchanges in March 2014 raising €265m; these funds will be used to acquire hotels in Ireland. Pat has held a number of non- executive positions within the hospitality and other industries, including state and public company entities, and has served as National President of the Irish Hotels Federation.

Dr Howard Hastings OBE, NITB Board Chairman

Howard is the Managing Director of Hastings Hotels. He is also a Director of Merrion Hotel Ltd (ROI) and Board Member of Tourism Ireland. During the 1990s he was Chairman of the Institute of Directors in Northern Ireland and Founding Chairman of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation. Howard is a past Chairman of Rockport Preparatory School, a member of Castlereagh College governing body and a Board Member of Business in the Community and the Bank of Ireland Advisory Board. His previous public appointments include the Training & Employment Agency, Investors in People, New Deal Task Force and the Tourism and Hospitality Training Council. In 2011 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Ulster. In 2014 Howard was awarded an OBE for his services to tourism and hospitality.

Tom Randles, Director of Randles Hotels Killarney

Tom is Director of Randles Hotels Killarney, a third generation family business established in 1921. After graduating from Shannon College of Hotel Management, Tom’s career developed through roles in France, Switzerland, Scotland & the United States. Actively involved in commercial organisations, Tom is a past national Vice President of the Irish Hotels Federation and past President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce.

Conference Social & Evening Entertainment

Sunday 22nd February 10:00 Golf on the Slieve Russell Championship Course Competitors must check in 30 minutes before their allotted tee time which will be advised in advance. 19:30 Welcome Buffet Join us in the Conall Cearnach Restaurant for the Welcome Buffet at 7.30pm. The golf prize giving ceremony will take place at 8pm. Wine by Dalcassian Wines & Spirits. Craft Beers by Carrig Brewing Company. Water by echo. Tea & Coffee by Bewley’s. Monday 23rd February 20:00 The President’s Dine Around Choose from these dining experiences in the Slieve Russell Hotel; Option 1 – A Taste of Sweden in the Conall Cearnach Restaurant Option 2 – The Delights of Northern Spain’s Basque Region Cuisine in the Setanta Restaurant Wines and after dinner drinks by Dalcassian Wines & Spirits. Water by echo. Tea & Coffee by Bewley’s. Tuesday 24th February 19:00 Reception & Gala Dinner (Black Tie) The welcome reception will begin at 7pm followed by our Gala Dinner in the Cranaghan Suite. Welcome Reception sponsored by Diageo. Address by Paschal Donohoe TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Stephen McNally, President, Irish Hotels Federation will present the IHF President’s Award to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to tourism and hospitality. Supported by AIB. Wines by Classic Drinks. Hennessy VS and Ginger Ale After Dinner Drink sponsored by Edward Dillon & Co. Ltd. Entertainment sponsored by IMRO. Water by echo. Tea & Coffee by Bewley’s. Programme for 2015 IHF Annual Conference

Sunday 22nd February 10.00 Golf on the Slieve Russell Championship Course 19:30 Welcome Buffet Wine by Dalcassian Wines & Spirits. Craft Beers by Carrig Brewing Company. Water by echo. Tea & Coffee by Bewley’s. Monday 23rd February 09.45 Opening of Showtel Trade Exhibition 10.15 Annual General Meeting - Opening by President and Branch Resolutions 11.00 Coffee in Showtel Trade Exhibition Area. All Coffee Breaks sponsored by Bewley’s. 11.30 Elections 11.45 Accounts, Annual Report and Completion of Branch Resolutions 12.45 Election Results and Close of AGM 13.00 Lunch supported by Guestline and JLL – wines by Irish Distillers followed by coffee in Showtel

14.15 Simultaneous Workshops Afternoon Refreshments provided by Coca-Cola HBC Ireland. WORKSHOP #1: Employment Nuala McLoughlin, Irish Hotels Federation: Quality Employer Programme (QEP) Ronnie Neville, Mason, Hayes and Curran: Managing Absence and Long Term Illness in the Workplace Paddy Redmond, DAS: Employment Legal Support Scheme Sarah Moore, Willis Ireland: Managing Retirement WORKSHOP #1A: Marketing in 2015 – Trends, Tools & Tips Keith Browning, Irish Hotels Federation Jenny Taaffe, iZest Frank Reeves, Avvio Hollie Faulkner, Net Affinity

15.30 Coffee and visit to Showtel 16.15 Tourism Development Forum – Introduction: Michael Cawley, Chairman, Fáilte Ireland to Panel Discussion 17.30 Pat McCann, Chief Executive, Dalata Hotel Group Plc Dr Howard Hastings OBE, NITB Board Chairman Tom Randles, Director of Randles Hotels Killarney 20.00 The President’s Dine Around Wines and after dinner drinks by Dalcassian Wines & Spirits. Water by echo. Tea and Coffee by Bewley’s.

Tuesday 24th February 9.00 ‘Strength in Resilience’ Conference – Official Opening: Michael Ring TD, Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Introduction: Stephen McNally, President, Irish Hotels Federation Conference Chair: Bobby Kerr Sponsor’s Address: Alan Waite, Managing Director, Brakes Sponsor’s Address: Jim Dollard, Executive Director, Electric Ireland Irish Hotels Federation Quality Employer Awards Conference refreshments provided by Coca-Cola HBC Ireland. 09.45 ‘Hotel Industry Dynamics and Trends’ Professor Alan Ahearne, Economist Sarah Duignan, Director of Account Management, STR Global Aiden Murphy, Partner, Crowe Horwath 11.00 Coffee in Showtel. All Coffee Breaks sponsored by Bewley’s. 11.45 ‘Google Insights, Changes in Travel Customer Behaviour’ David Zammitt, Industry Manager – Travel Team, Google UK Ltd. 12.30 ‘Service Culture Can Grow Sales’ Alan O’Neill, Change Consultant, Kara Change Management 13.15 Lunch supported by Castlebrook Furniture – wines by Irish Distillers – water by echo followed by coffee in Showtel 14.30 ‘Strength in Resilience’ Warren MacDonald, Inspirational Keynote Speaker 15.30 Coffee, Closing of Showtel and Showtel Competition 16.15 ‘Building Successful Teams’ Brian Cody, Kilkenny Senior Hurling Team Manager 17.00 Close of Conference: Stephen McNally, President, Irish Hotels Federation 19.00 Welcome Reception. Sponsored by Diageo. 20.00 Gala Dinner (Black Tie Event) Address by Paschal Donohoe TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport IHF President’s Award Supported by AIB. Wines by Classic Drinks. Hennessy VS and Ginger Ale After Dinner Drink sponsored by Edward Dillon & Co. Ltd. Entertainment sponsored by IMRO. Water by echo. Tea & Coffee by Bewley’s.

Tel: 01 4976459 Fax: 01 4974613 email: [email protected] Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @ihfcomms. For all the latest conference news #ihf2015