by Padraic Gilligan “Shall I compare thee …” Comparing cities may be akin to comparing children or daffodils and tulips but I think it’s fair to say on the “excitement” spectrum Frankfurt and Geneva are probably west of Berlin and Zurich and far west of London and Barcelona. They are both efficient cities with excellent… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President, Ovation Global DMC The Business of Incentives My reason for being in Cancun is to participate at the Incentive Research Foundation’s (IRF) annual invitational and thus support an organisation that carries out vitally important research into the business impact of incentives, particularly incentive travel programmes. This is my third consecutive… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President MCI and Vice President, Ovation Global DMC Ole, Ole, Ole London’s Convention and Exhibition Centre, ExCeL, is etched in the hearts of most Irish people. For a period last summer it often appeared that the entire facility had been colonised by the Irish such were the ubiquity of tri-colours and… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President, Industry Relations, MCI The Three Musketeers That’s how the executive host committee of the hugely successful IAPCO Conference which took place in Dublin last week described themselves. It’s worth dissecting the image as, I believe, there are crucial lessons here for success in business and in destination marketing in particular…. Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President, Industry Relations, MCI Tempus Fugit I know Virgil. Not in the original Latin, mind you. But, as student of Italian, I do know Virgil as Dante’s guide through hell and purgatory in the irrefutably brilliant Divina Commedia. What I didn’t know, until today that is, was that Virgil is responsible… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President, Ovation Global DMC Montreal = Arcade Fire The blizzard abated, the snow stopped falling and clear blue skies returned to Montreal. Thus I was coaxed out of the warm cosiness of the Sheraton into the streets of the city hoping to experience something of its personality, its uniqueness, its soul…. Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President, Ovation Global DMC It’s not what I say about my brand, it’s what you say about it. The first session at most industry events features a word of welcome from the destination’s official authorities – someone from the Ministry of Tourism, the Chair of the CVB, the Mayor etc. It’s… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President of Ovation Global DMC How to be a Canadian First, the sadness. Inside the front cover of the book, a handwritten inscription: “To our favourite non-Canadian, with love Moira”. My copy of How to be a Canadian by Will Ferguson and Ian Ferguson was given to me by the late,… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President, Ovation Global DMC Roger Dow: From Life Guard to Life Saver Roger Dow’s presentation to FICP on Tuesday AM was informative, inspiring and visionary and highlighted just how lucky the meetings and events industry is to have such a figure amongst its ranks. As President of USTA (United States Travel… Read more »
by Padraic Gilligan, Vice President, Ovation Global DMC Sitting in the Dock in LA The nightmare started as soon as my head hit the pillow. Courtroom scene. I’m in the dock. Somewhere hidden amidst the stern faced scowl of the judge is a face I recognise. Is it Todd Zint? The prosecuting attorney is also… Read more »