Leading Journal of the Irish & UK Fishing Industries

iRIsh Skipper Expo

23 & 23 February 2024

Friday 10am – 6pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm

UL SPORT ARENA LIMERICK

BIM logo

Dates Announced – Irish Skipper Expo to take place on the 23rd & 24th February 2024

After what was hailed by many as ‘a successful Irish Skipper Expo’, the dates for the 2024 Irish Skipper Expo have been announced, with the event set to return to UL Sport Arena, Limerick on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th February 2024.

The energy returned to the event this year after a tumultuous few years, with vibrant visitors queuing up in steady streams throughout the weekend, eager to check out the sell-out show. This year’s event saw a 27% increase on the overall number of visitors, but it was the enthusiasm and desire to look towards the future of the industry with optimism that was most impressive. 

With over 140 exhibiting companies from 15 different countries worldwide, the exhibition hall was filled with products and services of the highest quality and from across all sectors of the commercial fishing sector. As well as all of the returning exhibitors, many of whom have exhibited at every show since it began in 2005, this year’s Irish Skipper Expo also had 30 new companies exhibiting for the first time which added to the energy of the show.

First time exhibitor Noreen Veldman of Errigal Training Centre expressed her delight in her experience at the show saying, “The Skipper Expo was one of the best organised and efficiently run Exhibitions we have attended, from start to finish. From an exhibitors point of view, the show organisers were on hand to assist at all times, fantastic venue choice at UL Sports complex – accessible and spacious.”  

The Irish Skipper Expo prides itself as being a relaxed yet professional setting to conduct positive business in a face-to-face manner and this year’s event certainly lived up to that.

Sharon Boyle, Commercial Fishing Manager with show organiser’s Mara Media explained, “ We were thrilled by the number of exhibitors who visited the Skipper stand before the end of the event to express their delight in the show and their overall business success as a result. One exhibitor actually said that their company had taken so many orders at the event that it would keep them in business for the rest of the year.”

Exhibitor Mike Ruane also commented on the success of Ruane Maritime at the show stating, “We had an excellent show with great footfall and we already have confirmation of courses booked in as a result. We also found the show excellent for networking.”

Your Industry, Your Show’, remains as the motto for Ireland’s only commercial fishing show and the Irish Skipper Expo team were delighted to be able to fulfil many of the wishes set out by exhibitors and visitors last year.

Sharon further explained, “Selecting the right dates was our main priority for this year’s event and after close consultation with a number of fishermen and exhibitors, thankfully the end of February certainly did ‘reflect the right tides’. That is why we have decided to go with the same weekend in 2024.”

Another point made by a number of exhibitors was to use the show as a base for other industry events and this year marked the first time that two of the country’s leading marine conferences took place on the eve of the expo .

Both the IFA’s Annual AGM & Conference and the NMCI Seafarer’s Conference saw record numbers in attendance, with Teresa Morrisey of the IFA and Captain Brian Fitzgerald of Simply Blue Group remarking that arranging the events near the Irish Skipper Expo was a huge success.

The Skipper Team are currently reviewing the feedback from all visitors and exhibitors following this year’s show and look forward to making announcements that will further add to the overall show experience in the coming months.

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Information

Exhibitors' Manual

Click the image below to view the Exhibitors’ Manual for the 2023 show. (viewing purposes only) 

The 2024 Exhibitor Manual will be released early November 2023

How to Get There

SHOW VENUE
UL Sport, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick V94XT66
https://www.ulsport.ie/

Directions from the Castletroy Park Hotel to UL Sport 

GETTING TO UL LIMERICK
UL Sport, has excellent road, rail and air transportation links. The arena is positioned on the University of Limerick campus in Castletroy, just off the M7. Shannon Airport is only a 35 minute drive away with flight connections available to the UK and Western Europe airports. Limerick City Centre is within easy reach of UL Sport and Limerick (Colbert) Railway Station is a short 15 minute drive away.

BY ROAD
With the venue just off the motorway avoiding city traffic.

Galway (M18) – 1hr 30 min
Cork (M8) – 1hr 30 min
Dublin (M7) – 2 hrs.
Waterford – 2 hrs
Donegal 3hr 30 min to 4hrs.
Belfast 3hr 45

         

Accommodation

Accommodation Details & Special Rates – Irish Skipper Expo 2024

The George Hotel Limerick

City Centre & Show Reception Host.

To access the special rates see below:

Phone  061 460400 or email info@georgelimerick.com with a valid credit card to secure your booking

And Quote Skipper Expo

€125 bed and full Irish breakfast per single occupancy per night

€155 bed and full Irish breakfast per double or twin occupancy per night

Virtual tour – https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Yn2cV5nTHxj

www.thesavoycollection.com/the-george/

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Castletroy Park Hotel

Approx €10 in a taxi to show centre or 1.4km walk

Bookings can be made by either by:

Phone 061 335566 or Email: Hotel reservations@castletroypark.ie with a valid credit card to secure their booking.

And Quote Skipper Expo

Hotel rooms

€101 Single per room per night

€118 Double/Twin per room per night

€128 Triple per room per night

Suites

Suite with Utilities – €98 Single / €108 Double / Twin per room per night

Suite with Kitchenette – €108 Single / €118 Double / Twin per room per night

Premier Suite – €118 Single / €128 Double / Twin per room per night

Terrace Suite – €128 Single / €138 Double / Twin per room per night

https://www.castletroypark.ie/

                                                                  

Kilmurry Lodge Hotel

 

Approx €10 in a taxi to show centre or 1.2km walk

Bookings can be made by via the official website using the code: SKIPPER24

https://www.kilmurrylodge.com/.

Alternatively, they can use the link below: 

https://secure.kilmurrylodge.com/convert/site/Kilmurry%20Lodge/en/rate/7842382.html

Bed & Breakfast Rates (Per room per night)

Single: €125.00

Double: €145.00

Twin: €155.00

Floorplan
 Please see a copy of the final floor plan from the Irish Skipper Expo 2023 below:

Contact Sharon for more information

Sharon Boyle – Commercial Fishing Sales Manager

Email: sharon@maramedia.ie
Tel: 00353 (0)74 95 48037

2022 Show Statistics & Feedback

Click the image below to read the post show report from the 2022 Irish Skipper Expo

Your Official Showguide

Click on the image below to download a pdf copy of the 2023 Showguide (Viewing Purposes Only)

  

Exhibitors Free PR Service
Show PR:

Mara Media will provide a free PR service to Exhibitors at our 2022 shows – Irish Skipper Expo & Scottish Skipper Expo. This PR will appear on the ‘Latest News’ Section of the shows website and on our Social Media sites. It will also be considered for our monthly publication ‘The Skipper’ and our E-Newsletters.

Our PR team may contact exhibitors in the lead up to the show or you can reach them using the details below. Please take full advantage of this FREE service provided by Mara Media. 

Noreen Boyle; 
Email: admin@maramedia.ie
Tel: 
00353 – 74- 9562843

Exhibitor Warning

We would like to remind all our Visitors and Exhibitors that we take your privacy very seriously. Unfortunately, our exhibitors are often approached from various scam companies offering listings, advertising and/or accommodation in the lead up to our shows.

Mara Media strongly advise you, to be extremely vigilant against bogus organisations who do not represent our company. If in doubt always contact us before signing forms or engaging in conversation. 

Mara Media does not permit third parties to undertake unsolicited mailing to our customers and we do not pass on your contact details. 

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Excellent show great atmosphere a lot of new faces and great to meet some of the old ones too. It’s getting better with age. A big thanks to Sharon and the team.

Eddie Moore

Co. Kerry

First time exhibiting last year, enjoyed tremendously, lot of contacts with lot’s of sales.  We’ll be back displaying the Rototech Boat at the 2023 show.

Gerry McHale

McHale Marine

A great show to meet new customers and our dealers. Our best year so far with lots of interest in the Lars Thrane Iridium Sat phone system and the KVH V7HTS VSAT systems.

Andy Banting

C A Clase UK Ltd