Olympian David Gillick delivered a compelling keynote on professionalism at the MII National Marketing Conference, which was held yesterday at the Convention Centre in Dublin.

The event, hosted by the Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII), brought together marketing professionals to explore the theme “Elevate Your Impact.”

Gillick, renowned for his achievements on the track—including two European Indoor 400m titles and participation in the 2008 Beijing Olympics—shared insights on translating athletic discipline into professional excellence. Drawing from his experiences, he emphasised the importance of resilience, focus, and continuous growth in both sports and business.

“Professionalism is about showing up, staying consistent, and pushing through challenges,” Gillick remarked, highlighting the parallels between athletic training and career development. He also underscored the value of mental well-being, advocating for a balanced approach to achieving peak performance.

The conference featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including Aimee Connolly, CEO of Sculpted by Aimee, and Michael Carey, Chairman of Enterprise Ireland. Attendees engaged in sessions covering research insights, leadership strategies, and the launch of MII’s National Marketing Competency Framework, which aims to enhance professional standards in the industry.

Gillick’s address resonated with the audience. He offered a unique perspective on achieving excellence through dedication and adaptability. His message reinforced the conference’s objective of empowering marketers to make a meaningful impact in their careers and organisations.

He spoke of failure as well as success, of finding his tribe at Loughborough University, of the sliding door moment of missing out on qualification for the Rio Olympics but going instead with RTÉ, and of the value of 44.8 seconds to capture a thought, take an action, or do something for yourself.

The team from Core Media delivered a thought-provoking piece on AI, its strengths and how it might best be used, and the balance required in a creative environment.

 

Further Reading for Sport for Business members:

Check out Sport for Business coverage of Sponsorship

 

SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

A ‘heads up’ morning of thought-provoking commentary, and great to see many good friends and members of the Sport for Business community in the Convention Centre.

WHAT’S UP NEXT?

Planning is underway for several Sport for Business events, and an initial provisional schedule for the year’s second half will be released next week.

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