Conference Programme

Tourism and Hospitality Research in Ireland Conference (THRIC) 2011

"Smart Thinking in Tourism"

Conference Programme

Time

Event

Location

8.00pm

Launch of THRIC 2011

Dr. Marian Fitzgibbon

Head of School of Humanities,

Athlone Institute of Technology.

Chamber,

Civic Centre,

Church Street,

Athlone.

www.athlone.ie/udc

Time

 Event

Location

AIT Campus

8.00 - 9.00

Registration, Tea /Coffee

Foyer,

Hospitality, Tourism

and Leisure Building

9.00 - 9.15

Welcome and Official Opening of Conference

Mr. John O'Hara

Head of Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Studies.  Athlone Institute of Technology.

Mayor Sheila Buckley Byrne

Athlone Urban Council.

Professor Ciarán Ó’Catháin

President, Athlone Institute of Technology. 

Room: F2705

9.15 - 10.00

Keynote Speaker 1

Dr. Melanie Smith

Lecturer, Researcher, Consultant,

Tourism Competence Centre,

Corvinus University, Budapest.

Topic: Smart Thinking In Special Interest Tourism

Room: F2705

10.00 -11.15

Parallel Session A

Rooms: F2681; F2685; F2686

11.15 - 11.45

Coffee Break

Foyer,

Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Building

11.45 - 1.00

Parallel Session B

Rooms: F2681; F2685; F2686

1.00 - 2.00

Lunch

Prepared by students in Advanced Certificate in Professional Cookery (NAP & TICP).  Served by students from Diploma in Restaurant Management.

Restaurant, Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Building

2.00 - 2.45

Keynote Speaker 2

Mr. Barry Chandler

Founder Interactive Hospitality, Barkeeper.ie; Barkeeper.co.uk; ManageYourBar.com; TheBarBlogger.com. 

Topic: Smart use of social media in hospitality: How to engage customers, influence experiences and profit from your online activities

Room: F2705

2.45 - 4.00

Parallel Session C

Rooms: F2681; F2685; F2686

4.00 - 5.00

Round Table Discussion

Chair: Mr. Tadhg Carey

Editor, Westmeath Independent.

Panel:

• Mr. Barry Chandler, Founder Interactive Hospitality.
• Mr. Kevin Kidney, Head of Destination Development Fáilte Ireland.
• Ms. Sammy Leslie, Castle Leslie, Glaslough, Co. Monaghan.
• Ms. Mary Mulvey, CEO The Greenbox.
• Mr. Liam Scollan, Chairman Ireland West Airport.
• Dr. Melanie Smith, Corvinus University, Budapest.

Room: F2721/26

5.00 - 5.45

Closing Address

Dr. Tony Lenehan

Head of Education, Fáilte Ireland.

Formal Close of Conference

Mr. John O'Hara

Head of Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Studies.  Athlone Institute of Technology.

Room: F2721/26

6.00

Close of Conference Buffet

Prepared by students in Advanced Certificate in Professional Cookery (NAP & TICP).  Served by students from Diploma in Restaurant Management.

Restaurant, Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Building