Over 700 Event Management experts and service providers gathered in Croke Park this week to see the unveiling of a range of new facilities which the GAA has undertaken to maintain the jewel in its crown as a world class destination for business and tourism at the heart of Dublin.
There has been a full refurbishment of the stadium’s two flagship suites in the Hogan Stand and the development of four new luxury All-Star Suites on the sixth floor.
The transformation took three months to complete over the summer and the final result is pretty spectacular.
Heavy investment
There has been heavy investment in signage and screen infrastructure covering the 280 display monitors that exist around the stadium. This will allow customised branding and signage in the form of high definition multimedia content to be deployed at any screen location.
The infrastructure will also support live broadcasting of presentations from the main event suites into breakout and lounge areas throughout the stadium, making it a big winner for large conference events.
The Hogan Suite, which can cater for up to 2,000 guests, is now fitted out with a comprehensive LED lighting package, including a stunning LED ceiling feature, which includes a vast array of programmable colour and pattern options while the audio visual facilities have also been upgraded to include the latest in screen and speaker technology.
“Croke Park now has 110 event spaces that can host everything from small, intimate business meetings up to large corporate and social events for up to 2,000 guests,” said Mark Dorman, Head of Stadium Business.
World Class
“We are no stranger to big international occasions having hosted the Special Olympics and the visit of Queen Elizabeth ll. The improvements we have introduced within the stadium over the summer months will ensure that Croke Park Meetings & Events continues to be a world-class events destination.”
Previous high profile conferences and meetings in the stadium have included the 2012 European Union of Supported Employment Conference, the 2013 International Law Enforcement IP Crime Conference and recently the VTE Conference in September 2015.
Upcoming high profile future events include the Ocean Energy Europe in October 2015; the Hive Conference in April 2016 and the International Association of Credit Portfolio Managers scheduled for May 2016.
Croke Park Stadium is also a leader in sustainable development and was the first stadium in the UK and Ireland to secure ISO14001 (Certification for Environmental Management) and ISO 20121 (Certification for Sustainable Events) standards in 2012.
Delight
The reaction of those present on the night was one of real delight.
“Croke Park is such a wonderful beacon of what Ireland represents,” said Patricia McColgan of Abbey Tours.
“It offers something that is a unique representation of what Ireland is all about and it is great to have a venue that can play a starring role in its story as well as its facilities.”
To get yourself up to speed with all the latest in thinking around content, data marketing gaming and activation join us for the Digital Future of Sport at Smock Alley theatre in Dublin on the morning of Wednesday, October 21st but hurry as places are limited. Click the image below for details.
