Ireland has strengthened its reputation as a leading destination for transformative business events, securing two major awards at the ICCA Congress through the ICCA and BestCities Global Alliance Incredible Impacts Programme. Both conferences listed below, which were hosted in Ireland, were recognised for delivering exceptional social impact and legacy.
Main Grant Winner: World Rural Health Conference (WONCA) 2022, led by Professor Liam Glynn and held at the University of Limerick, earned the $20,000 Main Grant for its commitment to improving healthcare access in rural communities worldwide.
Seed Grant Winner: Autism-Europe, in partnership with AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism Charity, received the $5,000 Seed Grant for its 14th International Autism–Europe Congress, led by Adam Harris.
The Incredible Impacts Programme, a global initiative by ICCA and BestCities, celebrates associations that create lasting positive change through international meetings.
World Rural Health Conference 2022
Hosted at the University of Limerick and led by Professor and Conference Ambassador Liam Glynn, the WONCA World Rural Health Conference was themed “Improving Health, Empowering Communities.” The event brought together experts from health, science, engineering, arts, and NGOs to address rural healthcare challenges.
Ireland, with one of Europe’s largest rural populations, provided an ideal backdrop for this global dialogue. Organised by the University of Limerick’s School of Medicine in partnership with WONCA, the Irish College of General Practitioners, and Rural, Island and Dispensing Doctors of Ireland, the conference showcased leadership and collaboration at its best.
Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, in collaboration with The Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau and University of Limerick, supported Rural WONCA 2022 – a conference that promoted long-term sustainability in rural healthcare across Ireland, changing attitudes, lives, health and ultimately, the world.
Professor Liam Glynn captivated the audience at the ICCA Congress 2025 with a compelling presentation focused on the impact of Rural WONCA, which led to this remarkable win.
The full case study can be found at:
https://www.meetinireland.com/conferences/case-studies/world-rural-health-conference-limerick-2022
“We are honoured to receive the Best Cities and ICCA Incredible Impacts Main Grant Award. This achievement reflects an exceptional collaboration between Fáilte Ireland, the University of Limerick Conference and Sports Campus, the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, the WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice, the Rural Island and Dispensing Doctors of Ireland, the Irish College of GPs, and rural GPs and communities themselves. Through this partnership, Rural WONCA 2022 evolved into a truly impactful conference, leaving a lasting social legacy that continues to transform rural healthcare today,” says Liam Glynn, Professor of General Practice, at the University of Limerick.
L-R: Malcolm Clancy (the RDS Dublin), Sam Johnston (Dublin Convention Bureau), Fiona Ferris (AsIAm – Ireland’s Autism Charity), Adam Harris (AsIAm), Niamh Mellerick (AsIAm), Ciara Gallagher (Fáilte Ireland), Juliet Dillon (Fáilte Ireland)
Autism-Europe Congress 2025
Hosted by Autism-Europe, in partnership with AsIAm, Ireland’s autism charity, the 14th International Autism-Europe Congress was held in Dublin in September 2025.
The event welcomed over 1,800 participants, including Autistic individuals, families, researchers, and advocates from across Europe and beyond.
Rural WONCA 2022 wins the Incredible Impact Main Grant Fund
Working with Fáilte Ireland, AsIAm implemented an intentional impact project to measure and maximise the congress’s positive outcomes, with support from Keynote PCO. With this year’s Seed Grant, the $5,000 funding has enabled Autism-Europe and AsIAm to set new standards for accessibility, expand inclusive event design, advocate for employment, and strengthen public awareness and reduce misinformation – ensuring a lasting legacy for Dublin.
The full case study can be read at:
https://www.meetinireland.com/getmedia/7e9fe735-6395-4eb4-9460-76c8442df807/Autism-Europe-Congress-2025-Championing-Inclusive-Event-Design.pdf.aspx
Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm:
“On behalf of the 14th Autism-Europe Congress, I am honoured to be awarded the Incredible Impacts Programme Seed Grant. Dublin is a vibrant, inclusive city and we are working towards making it the world’s first accredited Autism-friendly capital. In partnership with Fáilte Ireland, we are committed to delivering an intentional impact project that defines, measures and amplifies the legacy of the Autism-Europe Congress. The grant helped us to work towards creating a fully inclusive congress and will contribute to our overall vision of a society where every autistic person is accepted as they are – equal, valued, and respected.”
Paul Mockler, head of commercial development, Fáilte Ireland, concludes:
“These awards highlight Ireland’s commitment to hosting business events that go beyond the conference room, creating meaningful legacies for communities and society. At Fáilte Ireland, we understand that an annual conference is more than just an event – it’s a strategic instrument in an association’s journey toward achieving its purpose. Yet, we also recognise the complexity of delivering a successful conference that balances the needs of members, delegates, boards, and sponsors.
Conference Ambassador Liam Glynn presenting his case study for Rural WONCA 2022 at the ICCA Congress
“What truly sets Ireland apart is our robust Impact & Legacy Framework, which allows associations to design and deliver intentional, measurable outcomes aligned with their mission – transforming a single event into a catalyst for long-term change. We are so proud of our Conference Ambassadors, Professor Liam Glynn and Adam Harris for their passion, vision and placing their trust in our Fáilte Ireland team to support them in amplifying the impacts of their conferences. And our message to associations is clear, that hosting your conference in Ireland isn’t just a logistical choice – it’s a strategic decision to amplify your association’s purpose, engage your stakeholders meaningfully, and leave a lasting legacy.”
For more information about the Incredible Impacts Programme, visit:
www.incredibleimpacts.com
About Fáilte Ireland
As the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland’s role is to support the long-term sustainable growth in the economic, social, cultural and environmental contribution of tourism to Ireland. In addition, Fáilte Ireland supports Business Events via its Meet in Ireland brand. This brand facilitates a partnership between Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland to promote the island of Ireland as a world-class business events destination.