Case Study
Solar Ireland 2024
Solar Ireland 2024: Road to 2030, held at the RDS in Dublin on 1st October, provided a vital platform for an international community of experts, industry leaders, and policymakers to converge and address the pressing need to achieve the Irish Government’s ambitious targets for the solar industry.
With a focus on accelerating the transition towards a sustainable energy future, the conference served as a critical milestone in charting the course for Ireland’s solar sector. Attendees engaged in in-depth discussions and knowledge sharing across key areas, including project delivery, industry growth, the establishment of sustainable supply chains, and crucial infrastructure development, all essential components in driving the widespread adoption of solar energy.
Your dedication and professionalism were key in making Solar Ireland 2024 such a success. Your hard work behind the scenes allowed us to focus on delivering the content and fostering the connections that will drive the future of solar energy in Ireland. We couldn’t have done this without your commitment and support.
Priscila Mc Geehan
Communications Manager, Irish Solar Energy Association
In a departure from previous years, Solar Ireland 2024: Road to 2030 took place in the heart of Dublin, a strategic move prompted by the surging interest in the conference. The 2023 event in Cork had already witnessed impressive growth, welcoming 440 attendees. However, as anticipation for the 2024 conference built, it became clear that a larger venue was essential to accommodate the expanding audience. The RDS proved to be the perfect choice, ultimately hosting a remarkable 35% increase in delegate numbers, with 595 individuals registering for the event. The central location also contributed to a notable rise in on-site registrations, with 31 individuals seizing the opportunity to join the conference at the last minute.
The shift to the larger RDS venue and the corresponding increase in delegate numbers presented a prime opportunity to elevate sponsorship revenue. The expanded capacity allowed for a greater number of exhibitors, paving the way for increased financial support. While the 2023 conference in Cork attracted 41 sponsors and exhibitors, generating €114,000, the 2024 sponsorship team surpassed all expectations. Not only did they achieve the ambitious target of €125,000, but they also exceeded it by a remarkable 66%, securing an impressive €208,000 in sponsorship revenue. This success was further underscored by the strong relationships forged with existing sponsors, with 78% of the 2023 sponsors and exhibitors returning to support the event once again. This impressive achievement is a testament to the CPI team’s dedication and the conference’s growing reputation as a key industry event.
2024 marked an important year in the continued growth of the Solar Ireland Conference. After the success of 2023 we felt we had the capability of growing the Conference alongside the ISEA. The Association had the ambition for something bigger but were prudent in wanting a roadmap for success. CPI looked at possible venues for growth and outlined the potential costs and impact on the bottom line. Thankfully the ISEA Board bought into that vision for 2024 and working together closely we were able to deliver on the growth we hoped for.
CPI Commercial Director
Following the successful 2024 conference, it became evident that the conference was set continue growing. To ensure ongoing success, the team conducted a thorough review of the planning process. Key areas for improvement were identified, including the need to shift the conference date to late October. The earlier October date had limited the lead time from summer, hindering communication with speakers and sponsors who might have been unavailable during that period. Additionally, our commercial team advised the client to secure a larger exhibition space for 2025 to accommodate the anticipated increase in sponsors. All these elements will be implemented for next year’s event.
