Dublin is set to play host to a major sports seminar in 2017. The International Union of Architects, The International Association for Sports & Leisure Facilities (IAKS Cologne) and The Aura Holohan group, are delighted to announce that the ‘International Swimming Pool & Leisure Centre Conference’ will be held in The Helix, Dublin City University on Thursday the 9th and Friday 10th of February 2017.
This event will be an unprecedented sharing of expertise, insight and discussion on the planning, design, development and operation of swimming pools and leisure centres. The theme of the conference is ‘Innovation’ and will feature over 20 international experts in the areas of sustainability, state of the art sports facility design, the economic and social return on investment in sport, inclusion, planning for the next generations and facility management.
This conference is a ‘can’t miss’ event which will bring international architects, engineers, public authorities and leisure centre operators from across Europe to Dublin.
The Minister for Tourism and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD said he was “delighted that such a prestigious International Sports & Leisure Conference was being hosted in Ireland covering important topics relevant to the public consultation currently being undertaken by his department on a ‘National Sports Policy Framework’”.
Attendees of the conference will get to hear from acknowledged leading expert speakers in their industry, including:
Marie Sallois Dembreville: Director Corporate Development, Brand and Sustainability International Olympic Committee who for the past two years has led the global consultation and stakeholder engagement to develop the IOCs ‘Framework for Sustainability and Legacy Planning’.
Professor Peter Taylor; Professor of Sport Economics and Co-Director of the Sport Industry Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University who is regarded as the leading expert on sports economics globally. Peter will be sharing insights from his most recent work – a study, which explores the Social Return on Investment (SROI) in Sport and the impact it has on improving health and educational attainment, reducing crime and enhancing participants’ life satisfaction. The study found that for every £1 invested into sport in 2013/14, a Social Return on Investment of £1.91 was generated for the benefit of wider society.
Dr. Stefan Kannewischer, President of The International Association for Sport and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) has said ‘The swimming pool and leisure centre industry are facing important economic and ecological challenges. This conference will raise an international perspective on trends and innovations with top-level international speakers’.
Esa Mohammed, President of the International Union of Architects (UIA) said “We are delighted to be co-hosting this International Conference with the IAKS and Aura Holohan Group in Dublin. The UIA is dedicated to advancing and promoting sustainable, quality sports architecture worldwide; and, to this end, has a dedicated Sports & Leisure Program.”