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2019 CONFERENCE 15TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE, KILL ASHEE HOTEL, NA AS
8&9 NOV 2019
15TH CONFERENCE ANNUAL
For our 15th annual conference and supplier workshop, we are returning to an old friend — Killashee Hotel, located five minutes south of the bustling commuter town of Naas in Co. Kildare and just 48 minutes’ drive from Dublin Airport. This former convent and boarding school is ideally located just a few minutes off the busy M7 Motorway, providing easy access for delegates travelling from Cork, Galway or Limerick — all of which are less than two and half hours drive away. Waterford is less than 90 minutes away, whilst agents travelling from the North and North West have the following journey times to contend with: Letterkenny (just under 4 hrs.), Monaghan (2 hrs. 15 mins.), Cavan (under 2 hrs.) and Dundalk (1 hr. 30 mins.) Travel Centres last held a conference at this venue back in 2014, representing the third year in a row that Killashee had hosted the event, a sure indicator that the venue ticked all the boxes! Since then, the hotel has had a change of ownership and undergone a major revamp and we think you’ll be impressed with what they’ve done with the place. Check all the changes out at: https://www.killasheehotel.com/
How to find Killashee Hotel: From Dublin Airport, please locate the M50 Southbound ēē Continue southbound on the M50 ēē Take Exit at Junction 9, signposted Cork/ Limerick N7, keep right ēē Continue south on the N7 ēē Take Exit 10 for Naas/ Newbridge ēē At top of off ramp, turn left ēē At first roundabout take first exit ēē At second roundabout take 2nd exit ēē At next set of traffic lights turn right, signposted Kilcullen ēē Continue straight through small roundabout ēē At next roundabout take 3rd Exit, signposted Kilcullen ēē Continue out the Kilcullen Road for approx. 1/2 mile, Killashee is on the left From Dublin Airport by Bus ēē If you are travelling from Dublin Airport, Take the 126 bus from terminal 1 to Naas Post office ēē Then get taxi out from there to Killashee Hotel From Dublin, please locate the N7 ēē Continuing along the N7 take Exit 10 for Naas
ēē ēē ēē ēē ēē ēē ēē
At top of off ramp, turn left At first roundabout take first exit At second roundabout take 2nd exit At next set of traffic lights turn right, signposted Kilcullen Continue straight through small roundabout At next roundabout take 3rd Exit, signposted Kilcullen Continue out the Kilcullen Road for approx. 1/2 mile, Killashee Hotel is on the left
From the South ēē From Portlaoise you will be continuing forward onto the M7 signposted Dublin ēē Leave the M7 at Junction 10 signposted Naas ēē At the first roundabout take the 4th exit ēē At second roundabout take first exit ēē At third roundabout take 2nd exit ēē At next set of traffic lights turn right, signposted Kilcullen ēē Continue straight through small roundabout ēē At next roundabout take 3rd Exit, signposted Kilcullen ēē Continue out the Kilcullen Road for approx. 1/2 mile, Killashee Hotel is on the left 3
NOTES FOR EXHIBITORS The following changes have been made to encourage more participants/engagements at this year’s workshop event:
SATURDAY
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This year, in response to feedback from agents and trade partners, the programme timetable on Saturday has been shortened with a later start time to facilitate delegates getting to the venue on the actual day and thus negating, in many instances, the cost of an additional overnight. The speed-dating will also finish at the earlier time of 4.00 p.m. Lunch menus on both days have also been reduced to one, rather than two courses as many of you feel that the larger meals are too heavy and interfere with energy levels in the afternoon. Free Registration for agents* Prohibition on alcohol being served at supplier stands ēē Shorter working day ēē Lighter lunch options ēē ēē
*Free registration is for Saturday workshop only and is restricted to agents who register using the registration form provided no later than July 31st, 2019
TH
SUPPLIER ‘SPEEDDATING’ WORKSHOP The workshop will continue to operate in a speed-dating format at 10-minute intervals. 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.
Once again thanks for a super informative fun weekend. ” 5
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, provided that they are registered no later than July 31st. Registrations received after this date will attract the normal delegate day rate of ¤29. Agency staff wishing to attend the Gala Dinner and Awards on Saturday night pay just ¤59 but must have participated in the KILLASHEE workshop sessions during the day.
HOTEL
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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 4-star hotels. Although we dispensed with our hilarious fancy dress themes in 2017, you’ve got to admit that last year’s masked ball was a great success, leaving us to believe that it’s still a good idea to have some sort of a theme (no matter how vague) each year. This November, the theme you’ve got to interpret for your dress code is: ‘Hollywood Glamour’ Needless to say — there’ll be prizes for best male and female interpretations!
‘Thanks a million for organizing another brilliant conference” 7
ANNUAL AWARDS Last year we introduced a redesigned award made out of natural materials such as oak and brass to reflect the value that we place in our annual recognition of those agents (and supplier) who have gone the extra mile in both consolidating and growing their interdependent relationship with industry partners. This year, expect one or two new categories to be added to the list!
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME* Friday, November 8th
Saturday, November 9th
09.30 - 10.00 Registration 10.00 - 10.30 Conference Welcome & Year Review 10.30 - 13.00 Closed Session** 13.00 - 14.15 Light lunch (Soup & Sandwiches, Tea/Coffee) 14.15 - 15.00 Supplier Open Forum (details to follow) 15.00 - 16.15 Guest Speaker #1 16.15 - 16.45 Afternoon Refreshment Break 16.45 - 17.30 Keynote Speaker
10.15 - 11.00 Registration 11.00 - 13.00 Morning speed-dating workshops 13.00 - 14.00 Light lunch 14.00 - 16.00 Afternoon speed-dating workshops’
17.30 - 19.45 At your leisure
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 - ‘til late To be advised
19.45 - 20.30 Drinks Reception 20.30 - 22.30 Dinner
Notes * Subject to change ** for Travel Centres members only
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NON-DELEGATE PROGRAMME Given the superb location and facilities of this year’s venue, members are more than welcome to bring their partners and spouses along. With this in mind, we have prepared a range of options that non-participants can avail of during both days of the conference. We have also negotiated a great SPA package for delegates, details of which are as follows:
Local Visitor Attractions & Discounts*: ēē ēē ēē
ēē ēē ēē
ēē ēē
Kildare Town Heritage Centre Free admission Kildare Village Designer Outlet Extra 10% off for guests of Killashee Hotel National Stud & Japanese Gardens Tully, Co. Kildare. 2 for the price of 1 offer for guests of Killashee Hotel Naas Shopping Centre 10% Discount Card with agreed retailers Newbridge Silver Visitors Centre 10% Discount Killashee Treat Sheet Discounts exclusive to guests for local shopping activities Nicola Ross Boutique, Main St, Naas 10% Discount Pamela Scott, Whitewater Shopping Centre, Newbridge 10% Discount
Tricky Tricksters Magic Castle Toughers Business Pk, Kildare 10% off admission ēē Straffan Butterfly Farm 10% off admission ēē Kildare Maze Family Pass €25, Adult €8, Children €6 ēē Killashee Leisure Facilities 25m pool plus kiddies’ pool. Steam room, sauna, exercise room and weights area ēē
Golf: Nearby courses include: ēē The K Club ēē Craddockstown ēē Naas ēē Dunmurray Springs
(16km) (1.5km) (1.5km) (28km)
*Contact front desk at Killashee Hotel for further details 11
SPA Take some time out to relax, unwind and recharge in our luxurious spa and leisure area. Immerse yourself in a lazy massage at the hands of our expert team of spa therapists or surrender to the healing properties of our fabulous hydrotherapy suite. Take the plunge in our swimming pool, hydrotherapy suite or kick off the day with a workout in our state of the art gym. And the best bit is it’s all just a stone’s throw from the hotel. Our award winning Spa near Dublin, is truly a haven of tranquillity, where the stresses of everyday life are left behind as soon as you step in the door. To mirror the gorgeous natural surroundings of our wonderful estate, we’ve chosen the world renowned Elemis Spa Therapies range which harnesses the power of nature, science and aromatics.
CONFERENCE OFFER S PA DUO PACKAGE ¤ 8 0 PP
To avail of this offer please advise on booking that you are attending the Travel Centres Conference Package includes: ēē Hydrotherapy Suite Experience ēē Relaxation Suite Two 25 minute treatments, choose from the below: ēē 25 Minute Back Massage ēē 25 Minute Head Massage ēē 25 Minute Facial ēē 25 Minute Body Scrub ēē 25 Minute Dry Floation
One 50 minute treatment, choose from the below: ēē 50 Minute Massage ēē 50 Minute Facial ēē 50 Minute Wrap
For enquiries please contact the spa reception tel: +353 45 895182 email: spareservations@killasheehotel.com Find out more about the Spa at www.Killasheehotel.com
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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
‘The workshop was FANTASTIC. As a supplier, that is the main reason I attend’
PREVIOUS CONFERENCES 2005: 2006: 2007: 2008: 2009: 2010: 2011: 2012: 2013: 2014: 2015: 2016: 2017: 2018: 2019:
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 Killashee Hotel, Naas 15
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BRASS & CO This year’s post gala dinner musical entertainment includes an exciting lineup of vocalists, keyboards, guitar, bass, drums and a full brass section, featuring trumpets, trombones and saxophones. 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.
It was an excellent conference! I had heard only great things but it still managed to surpass my expectations.�
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051 383 622 dominic@travelcentres.ie www.travelbug.ie