The 2024 Ireland Active Conference & National Quality Standard (NQS) Awards brought together Ireland’s best in the leisure, health, and fitness industry for a day of collaboration, innovation, and celebration. Hosted at the stunning Killashee Hotel, this event served as a platform for thought-provoking discussions, networking, and recognition of exceptional standards within the sector.

Dynamic Insights from Thought Leaders

Our line up of distinguished speakers offered invaluable insights tailored to advancing Ireland’s leisure, health, and fitness sector:

  • John Power – Pension Auto-Enrolment: John addressed the upcoming 2025 pension auto-enrolment, offering guidance on managing workforce retention through clear communication and emphasizing long-term benefits for employees.
  • Richie Morton – Energy Efficiency in Sport and Leisure Facilities: Richie outlined sustainable energy practices for leisure facilities, with insights on managing rising costs and utilizing SEAI grants for energy projects.
  • Ian Mullane – AI in Fitness: Ian explored how AI can enhance service quality without losing human touch, noting that technology integration can be affordable and effective.
  • Grace McNamara – Future of Health and Fitness: Grace highlighted wellness tech’s role in expanding reach and promoting community health through data-driven engagement.
  • Damian Browne – Mindsets for Extraordinary: In his keynote, Damian emphasized resilience for industry professionals facing financial and operational pressures, drawing parallels to his own achievements.
  • Orla Walsh – My Wellness: Orla highlighted the importance of personalized, science-based wellness programs, underlining the need for knowledgeable staff to elevate member loyalty and reputation.

Exhibitor and Supplier Engagement

With a strong line up of exhibitors showcasing the latest products and solutions in fitness, technology, and operational support, attendees enjoyed firsthand experiences and live demonstrations. This area provided exhibitors and attendees with countless networking opportunities, fostering collaboration across all sectors of the industry.

Honouring Excellence: The 2024 NQS Awards

The NQS Awards ceremony celebrated facilities and professionals who set the bar for quality, innovation, and community impact in Ireland’s leisure, health, and fitness industry. The following are the winner of 2024 Overall Awards:

Two newly introduced awards this year recognised outstanding projects in sustainability and community engagement:

  • Sustainable Project/Initiative of the Year: The Watershed, Kilkenny, for its renewable energy installations that significantly reduced the facility’s carbon footprint.
  • Community Engagement Initiative of the Year: Athlone Regional Sports Centre for its community-focused developments, including its Fitness Park and the annual Castle to Castle Charity Swim, fostering a sense of inclusion and well-being.

Additionally, Special Recognition Awards were given to retiring board members Lorna Brady CEO of SPORTSCO, Liam Cunningham General Manager of Athlone Regional Sports Centre, and Clodagh Kilmurray CEO of Swan Leisure for their significant contributions to Ireland Active’s mission and the industry.

Looking Ahead

With this year’s conference and awards completed, Ireland Active extends a warm thank you to all attendees, speakers, suppliers, and awardees. We are proud to support an industry that not only uplifts but also sets the highest standards for leisure, health, and fitness in Ireland. We look forward to seeing continued growth, and we are excited to plan an even more impactful gathering in 2025.

Final Thoughts

Thank you to everyone who made the 2024 Ireland Active Conference & NQS Awards a memorable success. Stay connected with us through our social channels and keep an eye out for further updates and upcoming events.

A Special Thank You From Our CEO, Karl Dunne.