Dublin – June 17, 2011 - The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) announced today that it won Best Large Event Venue across Ireland in the Event Industry Awards 2011.  Presented at a gala award ceremony in Dublin last night, the industry award winners were based on the votes from a judging panel of events industry experts in Ireland.

“Winning our second industry award in our first year of opening is a real honour,” said Nick Waight, CEO, The Convention Centre Dublin. “When we opened, we set ourselves a goal of being the best conference and event venue in Europe by 2014. This award is a strong endorsement from the industry and I think what everyone is tapping into is the fact that we offer an amazing venue with the best technology and an exceptional hospitality service, and our greatest asset is our friendly, passionate and dedicated team. I believe this is what sets us apart from our competitors and will help us to achieve our goal by exceeding our customers’ expectations every time.”

Other award winners last night included The CCD service partners Fitzers Catering, under the CCD Hospitality brand, who won Best Event Caterer for its premium hospitality service. In addition, Best Lighting Company was won by High Res Lighting Ltd. for its outdoor lighting projection show, which was displayed on the front of The CCD building during the launch.

The CCD has hosted over 85,000 guests and more than 260 events since its opening in September 2010, which has led to a boost of €30.7 million for the local economy. Events hosted at the venue include the 39th European Dialysis & Transplant Nurses Association Conference, European Union of Geriatric Medicine Society Conference (EUGMS), XFactor Auditions, Google EMEA Sales Conference, Globe Forum 2010, UK Fertilities Conference, European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation Conference, Project Management Institute EMEA Global Congress, TM Forum - Management World Conference, the American Chamber of Commerce 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner and David Gray in concert.

The CCD has confirmed a variety of events up until 2015, including conferences, meetings, banquets and concerts, such as International Congress on Accident & Emergency Medicine, Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution, International Statistical Institute Conference,7th European Course on Clinical Cytometry, Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain & Ireland Conference, European Seating Symposium, Orthopaedic Association Conference, International Pharmaceutical Federation Conference and Exhibition, European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology, International Bar Association and The Nutcracker, performed by The State Ballet of Minsk.

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*According to recent research conducted by ipsos MRBI on behalf of Fáilte Ireland, the total value of an international association conference delegate over the period of their stay in Ireland is €1,507

The Convention Centre Dublin

Developed by Treasury Holdings (www.treasuryholdings.com), The Convention Centre Dublin is situated in Spencer Dock on the banks of the River Liffey. Ireland’s first purpose-built international conference and event venue is positioned to become the best convention centre in Europe.  Recognised as the first carbon neutral international convention centre, the venue is configured to accommodate conferences from 8 to 8,000 participants in 22 purpose-built meeting rooms. It includes a 2,000-seat auditorium, 4,500 square metres of exhibition space and banqueting facilities for up to 3,000 guests. The centre combines flexible and elegant conference halls and meeting spaces with an experienced management team and an extensive range of support services. Offering the latest technology, this sophisticated venue includes advanced audio-visual equipment and lighting systems as well as Wi-Fi enabled halls and meeting rooms. For more information, please visit www.theccd.ie.

Press Contact:

Elaine Phillips, Head of Marketing & Communications, Convention Centre Dublin, +353 1 818 4610.