A major international conference taking place at University of Limerick later this year could be worth an estimated €3m to the local economy.
The Kemmy Business School (KBS) at University of Limerick will host a major international conference from 26 – 29 June.
The Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (SASE) has chosen UL to host its annual conference which will attract over 1500 delegates from more than 60 countries, making it the largest known gathering of its kind in the region and university.
In attracting attendees from countries like Argentina, Australia, Chile, Columbia, Egypt, Ghana, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, most EU countries, the US and Canada, it is estimated the conference will be worth up to €3 million to the Mid-West region.
Previous conferences have been held in New York, Chicago, Kyoto, Amsterdam, Rio de Janeiro.
Under the theme of ‘Disrupting Neoliberalism’, the UL conference will hear new research concerned with how work, technologies, economic systems and cultural lives are impacted by global forces.
There will be streams assessing the impact of decent work and how multinational corporations in Ireland can shape the agenda for sustainable and more equitable work in the future. Researchers from the disciplines of sociology, political sciences, economics, history, psychology, and law (among others) will present new research on questions of power, structure, and how economic systems both constrain but can also envision a better world of work and improved social and economic lives for people around the globe.
Conference organiser Professor Tony Dundon, Department of Work & Employment Studies at UL said: “The aims of the conference align strongly with UL faculty whose research engages with wider societal issues for a fairer world of work and improved social justice.”
Professor Finbarr Murphy, Dean of KBS, welcomed the conference, commenting: “This conference showcases the quality of scholarship and global reach of KBS and UL in advancing knowledge for better sustainable lives while enriching wider communities and policy impact locally, regionally, and internationally.”
Karen Ronan, General Manager, Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau said: “The Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau and Failte Ireland is delighted to support this prestigious conference coming to Limerick. The scale of this conference, bringing 1,500 delegates from more than 60 countries, will bring significant economic benefits for the hospitality industry and entire tourism infrastructure in the Shannon region with knock-on effects for the wider economy. Each conference delegate is worth €1,883 to the local economy so you can see quickly how valuable this segment of tourism is to the region.”
A unique feature of the event will be a dedicated day with support for early career and new researchers.
For more see www.sase.org/event/2024-limerick.