SHANNON Conference and Sports Bureau has recommended the development of a large multi-purpose conference venue located at the Cleeves Factory site in Limerick.
The Bureau reported a record year in 2018 with over €7.5 million worth of business tourism benefiting the Limerick and Shannon region.
As part of its strategic plans, it believes a large multi-purpose conference at the Cleeves Factory site on O’Callaghan’s Strand will ensure the region continues to gain its share of this fast-growing market both nationally and internationally.
These recommendations were discussed at the Bureau’s recent planning meeting, which focused on how the Mid-West can capitalise on lucrative business and Sports tourism opportunities. High on the agenda was the potential for the Cleeves factory site as an ideal location for a proposed large-scale venue.
“It’s the perfect site, city centre, accessible to all types and budgets of accommodation, walking distance to pubs and restaurants and only 20 minutes from Shannon Airport and the world,” said Tony Brazil of Limerick Travel and chairman of the board of Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau.
“Business Tourism is incredibly important to Ireland and indeed the Shannon region. Each delegate is worth €1,600 to the local economy, in other words, each 1,000 person event can contribute €1.6 million to the local exchequer,” he added.
John Rice of Glance Promotions, who represents Limerick Chamber on the board, believes the addition of a properly scaled, and specifically designed, multi-purpose centre that can host both conferences and exhibitions, would substantially grow economic activity in the entire region.
“Locating it within walking distance of the city centre and the rail and bus stations is both the correct planning and economic decision and will spur further local investment and spending in hotels, retail, and the night time economy,” Mr Rice commented.
