Dublinked is an internationally recognised regional innovation network that enables collaboration between industry, public sector and academia to address data-driven challenges and promote economic activity. Launched in October 2011, Dublinked is a partnership of Maynooth University and the four Dublin Local Authorities, with technology provided by IBM. A strong motivation for the Dublinked partnership is the conviction that the Dublin Region can be a test-bed for data-driven innovations that have commercial potential. In its pilot phase the project demonstrated its value as a portal for sharing knowledge, experiences and data, becoming a pivotal element of the local ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The primary objective of Dublinked Innovation Network events such as this one is to facilitate the exploration of innovation opportunities relating to regional challenges facing the region enabled by available data. To date, Dublinked has hosted over 16 events on a variety of themes including Data Visualisation, Crowdsourcing, Open Innovation, Planning, Public Sector Data, Transport, Tourism, Social Enterprise, Tourism and Technical workshops. Collectively these events attracted in excess of 850 people, the majority of those attending events originate from SME or Entrepreneurial backgrounds.
We invite interested parties to join us for a Dublinked Innovation Network workshop on the theme of 'Data Supporting Tourism for the Dublin Region'. This workshop will showcase websites that are available, and provide examples of ongoing projects in this area, with presentations both from Failte Ireland and the Dublin Event Guide, among others.
Speakers on the day include:
Eoin Mac Donncha, E-Business Manager for Fáilte Ireland
Fáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Agency which supports the tourism industry and works to sustain Ireland as a high-quality and competitive tourism destination. Eoin manages the eBusiness Department and is responsible for implementing the organisations technology and digital strategy. This includes the development of mobile and web platforms for various programmes such as The Wild Atlantic Way, Visit Dublin and Discover Ireland. Eoin has worked in various technology roles over the past twenty years in organisations such as EDS, HP and Intel and in a number of industry sectors including manufacturing, banking and tourism. A graduate in 1993 of DCU’s Computer Applications programme, Eoin is currently completing a Master in Business Practice in the IMI.
Niall O'Brolcháin, Insight Centre for Data Analytics, NUIG and the Personalised Linked Open Tours (PLoT) Project
Niall has over 20 years experience in the IT industry and was a pioneer in the use of the World Wide Web and the Internet. He has also spent 10 years inside Government at a local and national level. He served as Mayor of Galway from 2006-07 and was a member of Seanad Eireann until 2011 where he served as spokesperson on Communications Energy and Natural Resources.He is passionate about Open Government, the Environment and Heritage. Niall is currently working as a project lead with the Insight Center for Data Analytics in NUI Galway with a focus on open data, linked data and big data, strategy, visualisation, research and development. Niall will introduce and showcase the PLoT project, a fully responsive website designed at NUI Galway by the Insight Centre for Data Analytics. The purpose of PLoT is to recommend personalised Walking Tours around Dublin to people who wish to explore Dublin's rich and diverse cultural heritage. It is designed for visitors and locals alike.
Joerg Steegmueller, Editor, Publisher and Founder of the Dublin Event Guide
Joerg Steegmueller is a Telecoms Entrepreneur, Self-Defence Instructor, Online Publisher, Marketeer, Singer, Sound Engineer and Musician. Originally from Germany, he lives in Dublin for many many years and publishes the "Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)" since 2007.This is Dublin's most popular event publication that focuses on the vast amount of free cultural events. It includes Gigs, Festivals, Comedy, Talks/Lectures, Exhibitions, Family Events, Markets and any other cultural event that is free in Dublin. Every week it lists and describes more than 170 events! The Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) started in 2007 and is sent every week to more than 23,000 subscribers and has more than 55,000 Facebook Fans. Joerg's presentation will be about "good" data from a publishers point of view with a focus on content, structure and format. What should the Tourism Sector do to reach the masses?
Dr Sheila Flanagan Dublin Institute of Technology
Dr. Sheila Flanagan is a graduate of University College Dublin. She served as Head of School of Hospitality Management and Tourism in the Faculty of Tourism, DIT between 1997-2011. She was responsible for the development of the first Masters level programme in Tourism Management on this island, through the design of the MBS in Tourism for the Smurfit Graduate Business School in UCD. She has considerable industry experience in tourism planning in both public and private bodies, national and international, including the European Union, Irish Government Departments, and the Irish Tourist Board and management consultants.