Conference Agenda
Day 1: Balancing Footprints: Overtourism, Community, & Conservation
Slow Tourism in Action: Cultivating Deeper, Greener Experiences
- Conference opening – Cllr Michael Shannon, Leas Cathaoirleach of West Clare Municipal District
- •Sustainability & Climate Action: The Importance of Sustainability for Short-Term Rental STR/SMEs – Fiona MacConnacher, Head of Public Affairs for the UK & Ireland, Booking.com
- •Sustainability Across the Tourism Sectors – Fiona McKenna, Sustainable Destination Development, Clare County Council
- •Unrushed: Slow Tourism Ireland Campaign – Aidan Power, Director of Marketing, Tourism Ireland
- •Collecting Data Sustainably/Become More Sustainable – How You Get Started/Engineering Your Choices – Minimise Waste – Niall Heenan, Fuchsia Lane (Mixed Family Farm & Sustainable Self-Catering), Niamh Lunny, CEO Landmark Trust (Historic Buildings)
Sustainability Expo
Evening Session
•Live Music & Irish Dancing and Networking
•Drinks in the Pearl Suite
Day 2: Self-Catering at a Crossroads – Extinction, Emergence, & Evolution
- Registration and networking
- Conference opening – Michael Healy-Rae, Minister of State, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Moderator – Eoghan Corry, Journalist and Travel Commentator
- •The Effects of Legislation: Good and Bad – Fiona Campbell MBE, CEO, ASSC
- •Facts & Figures: Number of Self-Catering & The Economic Value of Tourism in Ireland – Chris Baxter, SuperControl
Break
- •Lobbying Activities Overview – ISCF Board Members
- •Proposed Legislative Changes May 2026 and the Effects on the Industry – Department of Tourism, Fáilte Ireland, and Department of Housing
- •Planning: What’s Next and Where Are We Going from Here? – Derek Keogh, Máire Ni Mhurchu, ISCF, and Charlie Reith, Government Affairs Director for Northern Europe, Expedia Group
Lunch break and networking
•Will My STR Business Survive in 2026 and How?
•What Will Self-Catering Look Like From 2026 Onwards?
•What’s the Difference Between Self-Catering and Corporate Lets?
•Does the Government Allow the Industry to Develop and How?
•Future of Short-Term Rental/Lengthening the Stay – Avantio, Wherewolf, Lisa Kennedy, CEO, Tourist SOS, and Brendan Kenny, CEO, Ireland’s Association for Adventure Tourism
•What to Do in the Winter Months with AI to Help Run a Business – Ciaran Connolly, Founder, Web Design and Digital Marketing, ProfileTree
•Sustainability in Action – Finbar Tuohy, LEO Clare
•Business Expenses & Deductibles for My STR Business – Derek Keogh
•The Growth & Benefits of Regional Agents – Lisa Argue, Marketing Manager, Dream Ireland Holiday Homes & Pamela Bathen, Stay in Sligo
•Ryder Cup 2027 – Barry Maye, CEO, Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association
- Best Self-Catering Property 2025 – Sponsored by Avantio
Close of conference
Awards Ceremony
Best Self-Catering Property 2025 – Sponsored by Avantio
Winner: Pamela Bathen and Steven Greenberg, Union Place
Finalist: Andrea Wenner, Mount Brandon Cottages
Finalist: Jacqueline Hall, Saltwater Cottage
ISCF Conference and Awards
