7 Reasons to Choose Dublin for Your Next Tech Event
Dublin is one of the world’s leading locations for business and is widely acknowledged as the digital hub of Europe. Here are just a few of the reasons why it’s also the perfect destination for hosting tech-based events and conferences.
1. It’s well connected
Positioned at the natural gateway to Europe, Ireland has become a key location for many of the world’s top tech multinationals including Intel, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook and Oracle. As a result, Ireland’s reputation as a centre of ICT and software excellence is unrivalled in Europe. It was described as a ‘stand out’ country for global digital development by the Harvard Business Review back in 2015, and it has only grown from strength-to-strength since then. Many of these top tech-companies are clustered in an area known as ‘Silicon Docks’ in the city centre of Dublin, just a stone’s throw from The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD).
2. It has a vibrant tech social scene
In Dublin, a rich tapestry of high-calibre, indigenous companies sit side-by-side with global tech multinationals. As a result, Dublin has become a breeding ground for home-grown tech-talent and a hub for attracting a highly-skilled tech-workforce from around the world. There are many regular events and Meetups for people interested in technology taking place around the city. This makes it easy for conference delegates to engage with Ireland’s Googlers, Facebookers, LinkedIn’ers, Tweeters and Amazonians, and get more out of their time in Dublin.
3. It’s a nation devoted to innovation
Ireland has a long history of innovation and has been a forerunner in many technological advancements in the past including the development of colour photography, the first trans-Atlantic phone line, the first-of-its-kind submarine! The fostering of innovation is not only embedded in the Irish culture, but is also openly promoted and funded by various Irish government-supported initiatives. As a result, Dublin has become a base for new and emerging tech-sectors such as clean tech, AR, VR, Internet of Things, game technology and cloud computing. Tech-based conferences that take place in Dublin feed off this innovative culture and creative energy, and delegates are more likely to leave feeling stimulated and inspired.
4. It’s easily accessible
Dublin is easily accessible no matter where conference delegates are coming from. Dublin Airport is just 15 minutes from the city centre and is served by 180 routes from most major cities across EMEA and the USA. Furthermore, when delegates arrive they will find that Dublin’s compact nature and excellent transport infrastructure makes the city easy to explore whether on foot, tram, bus or train. Unlike many other European cities, Dublin also benefits from having a large-capacity convention centre right in the heart of the city. The CCD forms an iconic building on Dublin’s skyline and is ideally positioned within easy reach from both the airport and the city centre.
5. It’s fun!
There’s no doubt that sustaining delegate numbers in today’s economic climate can be a challenge, it is therefore essential that an event’s location appeals to the business tourist. According to the latest International Congresses and Conventions Association (ICCA) rankings, Dublin is ranked 14th worldwide for hosting conferences and conventions. This has placed Dublin ahead of competitors such as Copenhagen, Brussels, Edinburgh and Amsterdam. One of Dublin’s key selling points is the ability for delegates to easily explore the city during their stay. Many of the city’s key tourist attractions, including its museums, galleries, the Guinness Storehouse and the famous Temple Bar area, are within walking distance or a short tram ride of each other, enabling business and leisure to be easily combined.
6. It has a proven track record
The calibre of tech organisations that have hosted events in Dublin over recent years speaks volumes about the city’s attractiveness as a conference destination for this sector. Host your tech-event in Dublin and you’ll be in the company of Drupalcon, Workday Rising, the Dublin Tech Summit, Google Engage, Teradata, Hadoop, The Dscoop Open, EuroNanoForum and NetApp Insight, to name but a few. Watch our video to find out more about what attracted some of these organisations to host their international tech-events in Dublin.
7. It has the ‘wow’ factor
Choosing the perfect destination is just the first step in attracting delegates to tech events. The venue choice can often seal the deal for the international business tourist. Voted the ‘World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2017’ in the World Travel Awards, The CCD has become a valuable asset to many global tech-organisations for hosting international conference events. One of the most technologically sophisticated venues in the world, The CCD has state-of-the-art equipment in every room, Wi-Fi for up to 22,000 devices and advanced communications, lighting, sound, rigging and IT solutions to enhance every event. A range of multi-functional rooms are available together with six foyer spaces, from where panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains can be admired.
To find out more about hosting your next tech-event in Dublin, get in touch with us today.