Pre-Conference Brochure 2018

MEET • NETWORK • DO BUSINESS

2018 CONFERENCE

14TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE, FOTA ISLAND RESORT, CORK

TH 9 10 NOV TH

14TH CONFERENCE ANNUAL

This year, the venue for our annual conference is 5-star Fota Island Resort, located just 12.9 Kms from Cork city and a leisurely 5-minute walk from Fota Wildlife park which is literally next door! Fota Island Hotel boasts an 18-hole championship golf course, a swimming pool and beautifully designed rooms with countryside views and luxury bathrooms. Bedrooms at Fota Island feature flat-screen satellite TVs, free Wi-Fi and an interactive video system. They also include mini-bars, seating areas and bathrooms with walk-in showers and bathrobes. Its restaurant serves fine traditional and international cuisine and has a terrace for al fresco dining. Guests can also enjoy afternoon tea or a cocktail in the relaxing Amber Lounge or The Spike Bar. The hotel boasts 18 treatment rooms where guests can enjoy massages, hydrotherapy and thermal suites. Guests can work out in the state-of-the-art gym.

How to find Fota Island Resort: āā Fota Island Resort is ideally located near Cork City and easily accessible by car and train. āā If arriving by train you will disembark at Kent Station. Taxis are readily available at this station and cost approx ¤20 - ¤25 for a 15 minute transfer to Fota Island Resort. āā Alternatively, you can continue the journey by train, taking the Midleton train eastbound.

Disembark at Glounthaune Station and take a 5 mintue taxi ride to Fota Island Resort. Please note, you will need to phone for a taxi as there is no taxi rank at this station. Cost for train and taxi will approximately total ¤15 - ¤18. Douglas Street Cabs (021) 484 7600 āā For more information please contact the concierge team on reservations@fotaisland.ie or 021 488 3700. Also, check out discounted car hire rates with one of our supplier partners, Hertz. āā We have compiled average journey times to Fota island from every single member location in Ireland —see separate spreadsheet document.

This year, in response to valuable feedback from both supplier and agent partners, we have decided to introduce several changes which we hope will enhance the conference experience for all concerned. The programme timetable on both days has been shortened with later start times in order to facilitate delegates getting to the venue

on the actual day and thus negating, in many instances, the cost of an additional overnight.

Lunch menus on both days have also been reduced to one, rather than two courses as many of you felt that the larger meals were too heavy and interfered with energy levels in the afternoon.

I just want to thank yourself, Bernie and Jocelyn for what was the best conference I have attended so far, from start to finish it was superb.�

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NOTES FOR EXHIBITORS The following changes have been made to encourage more participants/engagements at this year’s workshop event: āā āā āā āā

Free registration for agents Prohibition on alcohol being served at supplier stands Shorter working day Lighter lunch options

The workshop will continue to operate in a speed-dating format at 10-minute intervals.

SATURDAY

10TH

Thank you so much for having us at your AMAZING event again this year. It was a stellar event from start to finish and we loved being part of it.�

Each 10-minute interval is monitored and a prompt given to both exhibitor and agent participants at the eight-minute mark so that exhibitors can start to wrap up their presentations in readiness for the next batch of agents. Agent participants are provided with exact facsimiles of passports which contain a summary description

of each participating supplier/exhibitor. The workshop will start later to facilitate agents travelling long distances and will finish earlier to maintain maximum focus and engagement throughout the day. Following feedback from both suppliers and agent participants alike, a lighter lunch will be served.

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NOTES FOR AGENTS FREE REGISTRATION! To encourage greater agent participation and engagement this year, registration fees for the Saturday workshop which normally cover the costs of lunch and refreshment breaks have been completely waived so there is no cost to members. Agency staff wishing to attend the Gala Dinner and Awards on Saturday night pay just ¤29 but must have participated FOTA in the workshop sessions during the day.

ISLAND RESORT

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  

Aside from the huge amount of information and marketing collateral that participating agents gather on the day which ultimately contributes to increased effectiveness in sales throughout the following 12-month period, agents also get to develop their own relationships with key preferred supplier personnel — an asset to have when problems arise! Of course, the social dimension to the weekend cannot be overstated and members get to enjoy some of the best cuisine and entertainment throughout the weekend in the comfortable surroundings of one of Ireland’s most popular 5-star hotels.

This year, we’ve decided to dispense with our fancy dress theme in favour of a masked ball since we know how much you all like dressing up. Elegant dresses or gowns for the ladies and black tie for the men. Masks may be purchased from any number of outlets online. We’ve also decided to dispense with the annual charity raffle as we felt that it took up too much time and interfered with the optimum flow of the Saturday evening.

Travel Centres will continue to make a charitable donation to a worthy cause each year.

It was another amazing weekend, hats off Dominic you have them down to a tee now.”

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ANNUAL AWARDS For 2018, we decided to revert to an earlier format whereby award categories are sponsored by individual suppliers to either reflect best overall sales or best improved sales over the preceeding 12-monthy period. This expansion in award categories will thus provide more opportunities for individual agents to pick up a trophy!

PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME* Friday, November 9th 12.00 - 12.30 Registration 12.30 - 13.30 Light lunch (Soup & Sandwiches, Tea/Coffee) 13.30 - 13.45 Conference welcome & Year Review** 13.45 - 15.15 Closed Session # 1** 15.15 - 15.30 Afternoon Tea/Coffee Break 15.30 - 17.15 Closed Session # 2** 17.15 - 18.00 Open session — Round table discussion with suppliers 18.00 - 19.45 At your leisure 19.45 - 20.30 Drinks Reception 20.30 - 22.30 Dinner

Saturday, November 10th 10.15 - 11.00 Registration 11.00 - 13.00 Morning Session 13.00 - 14.00 Light lunch 14.00 - 16.30 Afternoon Session 16.30 - 19.45 At your leisure 19.45 - 20.30 Drinks Reception 20.30 - 22.30 Gala Dinner 22.30 - 23.00 Prizes & Awards 23.00 - 01.00 Dancing/Entertainment 01.00 - 03.00 DJ

Notes *Subject to change **for Travel Centres members only 9

NON-DELEGATE PROGRAMME Fota Island resort is an award-winning, 5-star hotel that boasts not one but three championship standard golf courses which makes it the premier golf hotel in Cork. Bedrooms at Fota Island feature flat-screen satellite TVs, and an interactive video system. They also include mini-bars, seating areas and bathrooms with walk-in showers and bathrobes. The hotel boasts 18 treatment rooms where guests can enjoy massages, hydrotherapy and thermal suites. Guests can work out in the state-of-the-art gym or the indoor swimming pool.

Parking is free.

All meeting and function rooms are situated in close proximity to each other and complemented by provision of the latest luxury conference facilities.

This luxury hotel also provides complementary wireless internet access throughout their conference and meeting venues, bedrooms and within the public areas, making Fota Island Resort a favoured choice among conference venues in Ireland.

Closest landmarks āā āā āā āā āā āā āā āā āā āā

Fota Wildlife Park Cathedral of St. Colman Cobh Heritage Centre Whitegates Oil Refinery Páirc Uí Chaoimh Water Rock Golf Course Douglas Golf Club Frankfield Golf Club Kent Railway Station St Finbarrs Hospital

Closest airports 0.7 km 4.7 km 5 km 8.2 km 9 km 9.2 km 9.3 km 9.3 km 10.6 km 10.8 km

Lough Mahon Lake

āā āā

āā āā āā āā

āā

1.5 km

Cork Airport

14.1 km

Most popular landmarks

āā

Natural beauty āā

āā

āā āā

Cork Custom House South Infirmary Victoria Hospital Musgrave Park Cork Opera House Cork City Hall Beamish & Crawfords Brewery St. Finbarr’s Cathedral University College Cork Blarney Stone Blarney Castle

10.9 km 11.1 km 11.5 km 11.5 km 11.9 km 12.0 km 12.1 km 12.9 km 18.5 km 18.6 km

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FOTA ISLAND SPA We specialise in relaxation at Fota Island Resort’s luxurious hideaway, whether that’s something as simple as taking the stress out of getting ready for an event, perking up tired hands and feet with a little tender loving care. We have researched and selected the most on-trend treatments & pride ourselves on delivering distinctive style and spirit to ensure you leave feeling glamorous and refreshed.

If you’re fortunate enough to have the time to spend the day with us at Fota Island Spa, we have a host of rejuvenating & luxurious spa packages for you to choose from.

Option 1 - Choose any option from the list below for ¤110pp āā 60min Comfort Zone Sublime Deluxe Skin Lift with 15min Scalp Massage - 75mins (normally ¤135pp) āā Les Luneides Paradise Ritual with Luxurious Face Mask - 75mins (normally ¤130pp) āā Full Body Hot Stone Massage with Welcome Foot Ritual - 75mins (normally ¤135pp) Option 2 – Choose any option from the list below for ¤65pp āā Mini Indian Head massage with a pampering hand & arm massage - 40 mins (normally ¤80pp) āā Skin Regimen Facial with welcome Foot Ritual - 45 mins (normally ¤80pp)

Both options include full use of the facilities below: Acacia Thermal Suite This includes a steam room, warm room and heated mosaic relaxing lounge area.

Hydrotherapy Suite This includes our hydro pool which features nine specifically designed areas that massage the whole body. It also includes the Walking River which utilises different temperatures to reduce muscle fatigue through invigorating foot jets, small and large pebbles, counter current massage streams and micro bubbles.

The Hair & Beauty Rooms Option āā Wash & Blow Dry & Make Up Application: ¤65pp (normally ¤80pp)

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TRAVEL CENTRES Travel Centres is Ireland’s largest travel agency grouping, comprising 54 independently-owned and managed travel agencies who, between them, operate from 73 outlets throughout the country and who, between them, generate sales in excess of ¤200M per annum.

For further information:

051 383 622 dominic@travelcentres.ie www.travelbug.ie

PREVIOUS CONFERENCES 2005: 2006: 2007: 2008: 2009: 2010: 2011: 2012: 2013: 2014: 2015: 2016: 2017: 2018:

Keadeen, Newbridge Mount Wolseley Hilton, Tullow Castletroy, Limerick Killeshin, Portlaoise Sheraton, Athlone Clarion IFSC, Dublin Clarion IFSC, Dublin Killashee Hotel, Naas Killashee Hotel, Naas Killashee Hotel, Naas Lyrath Estate Co. Kilkenny Mullingar Park Hotel Mullingar Park Hotel Fota Island Resort, Cork

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BRASS & CO This year’s post gala dinner musical entertainment includes an exciting line-up of vocalists, keyboards, guitar, bass, drums and a full brass section, featuring trumpets, trombones and alto/tenor saxophone. Several band members play more than one instrument so Irish whistle, keytar, flugelhorn, mandolin, clarinet, additional guitars and auxiliary percussion are also frequently incorporated, depending on the style of the song that is being performed. The band’s 7 vocalists enable them to

cover all styles of music. Their hot brass and driving rhythm sections promise to keep you on your feet all night long, from the first dance to the last encore. In short, you will find this year’s musical acts’ energy and enthusiasm contagious! Brass & Co. has developed a very special live sound which has made it one of the most highly sought-after and respected bands for many of Ireland’s most prestigious functions and events.

I thought the whole conference ran very smoothly and the Saturday night was brilliant.

Between the lookalikes, the band and the silent disco, it was the best fun I have had in a long time.

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051 383 622 dominic@travelcentres.ie www.travelbug.ie