1. Hire An Entertainment Planner

A good local entertainment planner can do everything. They’ll know who does the best catering, which venues are reliable and which aren’t, and what goes down well at a conference. If you’ve never held a conference in Dublin before, we’d recommend starting here!

2. Local cuisine

When in Dublin, do as the Dubliners do! If you want to show your guests what Dublin has to offer, food is often the quickest way. Irish Stew, Boxty, Guiness, and Irish Coffee are all firm favourites. Plenty of local catering firms also specialise in traditional food and drink, alongside their more international dishes.

3. Fasten your seatbelts – it’s miniracing!

We may be biased here, but nothing beats slot-racing for entertainment! Our comperes have thousands of events and parties under their belts, and our computerised scoring ensures a level of healthy competition throughout the night. We can also brand our cars and tracks to suit you and your guests!

Exhibition Entertainment

4. Theme

If you’ve got a theme, run with it! A good theme is a conversation starter for guests and clients, and can be a great way of imparting some personality into the proceedings. Something as simple as a colour scheme can really tie the event together.

5. Location, location, location.

This may be the most important thing on the list. Nothing looks more unprofessional than a shoddy venue. Double and triple check capacity, ease of access, parking, and public transport before you send out those invites. And remember: the classier the venue, the less you’ll have to spend on decoration.

6. Tailor towards your guests

Nothing beats the personal touch. It shows potential clients and partners that you’re prepared to go the extra mile for them. Something as simple as a national flower as a table centrepiece can really impress international clients.

7. Decorate!

Class is permanent – even if it’s just for the weekend. Many venues offer decorative packages, but hiring local florists, artists, and planners can really put a creative spin on your venue.

8. The Business Card Prize Draw

This is a classic for a reason: it keeps things interesting! We’ve all been to conferences that have emptied out halfway through. A grand prize draw (with runner-ups!), can really do a number on keeping people in the room. Simple, but effective!

9. Hire a public speaker or host

Public speaking is hard, which is why the best conferences use professionals. The face of your conference needs to be a confident one, and good hosts can keep the ball rolling for hours on end.

10. Transport

We’ve saved the most boring – but potentially the most important – till last. If your venue isn’t easily accessible, you’ll have inconvenienced your guests before they’ve even arrived. Remember: hospitality starts at the airport!