SINEAD HENEGHAN

Croke Park Meetings & Events

ACTIVITY Pent-up demand drove growth in 2022, with the lifting of Covid restrictions unleashing a tsunami of bookings. The pandemic taught us that Zoom, Teams and GoogleMeet can play a role in connecting work teams, but it also taught us that these platforms can never replace face-to-face. To build real connections we need three dimensions, and that only happens when real people meet in real time in real places.

TRENDS Depending on the meeting or event objectives, early or late in the week can be requested — early for meetings with a business focus, late for events with a more inspirational and motivational objective.

Technology plays an increasing role in meeting and event design, with many clients using platforms like Slido to foster delegate engagement.

There is also a blending of objectives, with meetings having a motivational element and events sometimes including an educational and informational element.

The trend away from formal catering settings (seated lunches, for example) continues, with passed bowl food, bento boxes and our stadium street food options. Healthy, sustainable food is also a must. We will shortly launch our 50 Mile Menu with all ingredients sourced within 50 miles of Croke Park stadium, including from our own farm in north County Dublin.

FACILITIES We have a rolling maintenance programme that ensures our meetings and events facilities are constantly updated and improved. Besides the campus-like facilities and a convenient location close to the airport and the city centre, our versatility and flexibility, both in terms of infrastructure and attitude, set us apart.

Our USP stems from our location at the home of Gaelic games and our connection to the GAA. 84% of all money generated by the GAA goes directly back into GAA grassroots development. By placing their meetings and events with Croke Park, clients are proactively engaging in CSR by benefiting hundreds and thousands of communities across the island of Ireland.

OUTLOOK While there may be signs of clouds gathering on the global economic horizon, booking pace is strong and we’re cautiously optimistic.