The Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association - IGTOA is delighted to announce that the “16th National Golf Tourism Conference & 2013 Gala Irish Golf Awards” will be hosted at The Europe Hotel & Resort and Waterville Golf Links from Saturday 19th –Monday 21st October 2013. This event is supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Tourism Ireland, the European Tour, Kerry Co. Council, Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce and the Kerry Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation.
Speaking about the launch of the conference, IGTOA Chairman Denis Kane said:
“The IGTOA is delighted to host this event in Killarney, the birthplace of Irish tourism. We have received tremendous support from Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce, Kerry Co.Council and the Kerry Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation. We are also delighted to announce the confirmed venue for the 2013 IGTOA Golf Classic to be Waterville Golf Links, who are looking forward to hosting our respective colleagues in the golf industry from across the island of Ireland and overseas, for this prestigious National Tournament.”
This event is the largest gathering of golf industry professionals in Ireland and also attracts delegates from Scotland, Wales, the United Kingdom, Europe and North America. The event, now in its sixteenth year has developed to be a national showcase for the Irish golf tourism industry and for the region that hosts it each year. The event is a golf tourism business event offering networking platforms for the Irish golf industry to meet and generate new business with IGTOA Golf Tour Operators. Also featured on the Sunday of the event is a Golf Seminar covering a variety of current topical issues in the Irish and international golf industry.
Tony Lenehan, Head of Golf Tourism, Fáilte Ireland said:
“Fáilte Ireland is delighted to support this National Tourism Conference which provides an excellent networking opportunity for the Golf Industry and Golf Tour Operators. In addition the Golf Seminar will provide an opportunity for delegates to debate important strategic issues for the Industry, with key stakeholders”.
The “2013 Gala Irish Golf Awards” is the pinnacle of the overall conference which will take place on Monday 21st October at The Europe Hotel & Resort. A star studded glittering occasion which each year recognises the very best in the Irish golf industry, with CNN Presenter Shane O’Donoghue as MC for the night, will attract over 300 guests to Killarney. A host of national and international companies are supporting this event this year including Fáilte Ireland,the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Tourism Ireland, European Tour, The Europe Hotel & Resort, Waterville Golf Links, Golf Digest Ireland & Golfing Magazine, PING Collection, Waterford Crystal, Aer Lingus, Diageo Ireland, Bushmills Irish Whiskey, SWING - South West Ireland Golf, Hertz Ireland, Executive Helicopters, Eno Wines, J.O'Callaghan & Sons and Elite Event Management.
Each year the IGTOA recognise a person in the Irish and international golf industry that has made a significant contribution to golf throughout their life and career. The “Jerry Donworth Award for Outstanding Contribution to Golf” is a very special and prestigious national award which is named after the late Jerry Donworth, founder of the IGTOA - Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association.
This National Accolade has been presented over many years to an elite group of select figures in the world of Irish golf who have shown through their outstanding achievements and actions to be true ambassadors of the game and leaders in their chosen field. Previous winners of this award to note are the late Dr. J.B. Carr, Pádraig Harrington, Pádraig O ‘Huigin, Pat Ruddy, Dermot Gilleece, Dr. Michael Smurfit, Christy O’Connor Senior, Darren Clarke, Paddy O’Looney and most recently Ryder Cup Director Richard Hills.This year the recipient of the 2013 IGTOA Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf Award has been designated to Director of Waterville Golf Links Jay Connolly.
Welcoming all delegates to Killarney, President of the Kerry Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation Conor Hennigan said:
“The Irish Hotels Federation in Kerry is delighted to support the IGTOA “16th National Golf Tourism Conference & Gala Irish Golf Awards” event. Golf Tourism is a vital component for our industry in Kerry and attracts many International Golfers to play our world class links and parkland courses. This event will allow our industry to showcase our product and for IGTOA members and associates to experience first hand the wonderful golf we have on offer in Kerry along with the variety of accommodations, restaurants and the Kerry hospitality that we are renowned for.”
Details for the “16th National Golf Tourism Conference, Golf Classic & 2013 Gala Irish Golf Awards” and online booking can be found on www.igtoa.com.
