Dublin - June 15, 2011 - The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) announced today that it will host the European Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Congress in 2013.  Set to attract 2,000 international delegates, this three-day annual ERTICO conference was secured through a comprehensive and highly competitive bidding process led by the Irish Team, which included ITS Ireland, the Department of Transport, Dublin City Council and The CCD amongst others.

“With smaller budgets these days, it is vital that we explore ways to leverage and improve our existing transport infrastructure,” said David O’Keeffe, chairperson of ITS Ireland.  “This important European conference will put the spotlight on Irish industry and help to create opportunities and much-needed jobs in the transport technology sector.”

Scheduled to take place from 4 - 6 June, 2013, this event will provide a meeting point for the ITS community to network and share experiences and knowledge to progress and improve ITS throughout Europe. ITS has many applications, which can benefit every aspect of the transportation sector. For example, road and public transport information communications technology, such as smartcard ticketing and real time passenger information systems, can make travel and transport safer, more efficient and sustainable. Additional ITS systems include electronic tolling, traffic information and control technologies, which can help to reduce and manage traffic congestion and decrease journey times.

“This event is a great win for Dublin as it will bring valuable international delegates to the City, which will help boost the local economy by over €3 million,” said Catherine Newhall-Caiger, Sales Director, The Convention Centre Dublin. “In addition, this event coincides with the Irish Presidency of the European Council and will provide a platform to showcase Ireland’s technologically advanced transport infrastructure.”

As Ireland’s first purpose-built international conference and event venue, The CCD has hosted over 250 events and over 20,000 international delegates since opening in September 2010, which has led to a boost of €30.7 million for the local economy.

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ITS Ireland

ITS Ireland (www.itsireland.ie) is a non-profit public/private sector partnership drawn from academic interests, consultancies, equipment suppliers, contractors, government bodies, local authorities, representative bodies and transport operators.

The primary aim of ITS Ireland is to promote the benefits of Intelligent Transport Solutions.

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 by 2014. 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 award-winning 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.