BACK TO NORMAL
Covid restrictions decimated demand for meeting rooms and conference facilities. Emily Styles hears from leading venues about how business has recovered and the changing trends in the sector
IVAN KING Luttrellstown Castle Resort
ACTVITY Obviously our corporate business fell off a cliff during 2020 and 2021. We had three- and four-day corporate events which had been booked a year or two in advance, so 2022 was certainly a more positive one! We witnessed increased business from US corporate customers with healthy event budgets, and those previously booked in during the Covid years have rebooked. We are also getting more corporate enquiries from Middle East-based clients.
The conferencing and events business is solidifying as a global concept. Companies are willing to travel further afield, possibly as a result of not being able to travel during Covid. There is the pent-up demand and many corporates have increased their budgets in this area.
TRENDS Conferences and event organisers want to do more for their guests and attendees than simply rent a room with a screen and projector. They want their business event to be inspiring and immersive, and we are seeing more creative thinking and the desire to collaborate with the venue. Sustainability is high on the agenda and it’s about collaborating and working with organisers to make the simple steps of change.
FACILITIES Over the last number of years the castle underwent an extensive investment. There are four main meeting rooms available, and each brings a unique experience. The castle is hired exclusively, so you are also guaranteed complete privacy for your event. Last year we invested in the overall Clubhouse offering. We upgraded our outdoor terraces and we launched our stunning new restaurant, Rugged Lane.
OUTLOOK Our expectations for 2023 are very positive with a healthy amount of corporate events already booked in, despite the overall trend towards shorter booking lead times.
EDELE O’REILLY The Croke Park Hotel
ACTIVITY Overall we had a busy 2022 with a much shorter lead time for bookings, partially a result of the pent-up demand following Covid. We are expecting 2023 to be busier, with growth of c.10% year-on-year.
TRENDS We have seen a growth in the mix of hybrid meetings, with attendees participating remotely, a bigger focus on dietary needs such as an increase in vegan and vegetarian diet, and meeting timeframes becoming more adaptable and away from the 9-5 format.
FACILITIES We have enhanced the quality of our in-room technology to support the hybrid model. We have become more adaptable and creative in our use of space for meetings and events, and use some of our public spaces as exclusive spaces.
TIPS The more notice for the date the better, as the chances of the date being available further out is usually more likely, although we do appreciate it’s not always that simple.
JOHN O’FARRELL The Glenview Hotel & Leisure Club
ACTIVITY Meeting room business in 2022 picked up from mid-year once the restrictions were lifted. Companies were looking to connect with their teams after working from home over the last couple of years. International meetings came in from June and contributed 25% of the hotel’s residential conference business.
FACILITIES We have invested in upgrading the Glenview suite and seven of the breakout rooms, including the main boardroom and the library. There are Clevertouch screens in all the hotel meeting rooms. We also carried out extensive landscaping on the some of the 30 acres and made additional walkways towards the Glen of the Downs.
TRENDS The lead-in time is still very short and mainly focused mid-week. Sustainability and wellness are key trends, with guests looking for healthy options and special dietary requirements.
OUTLOOK 2023 has started off on a positive note for the Glenview, with an increase in the level of enquiries from national and international agencies and companies. However, we are aware that it is still hard to predict how the year will end up with the cost of doing business still on the increase.