Dublin is set to play host to a major sports seminar in 2017. The International Union of Architects, the International Association for Sports & Leisure Facilities (IAKS Cologne) and the Aura Holohan Group have announced that the International Swimming Pool & Leisure Centre Conference will be held in The Helix, Dublin City University on 9-10 February. This event will be an unprecedented sharing of expertise, insight and discussion on the planning, design, development and operation of swimming pools and leisure centres. The theme of the conference is ‘innovation’ and will take a holistic view of the design, development and operation of swimming pools and leisure centres. It will feature over 20 international experts in the areas of sustainability, state-of-the-art sports facility design, the economic and social return on investment in sport, inclusion, planning for the next generations and facility management. This conference is a ‘can’t miss’ event which will bring international architects, engineers, public authorities and leisure centre operators from across Europe to Dublin. The Minister for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, said he was “delighted that such a prestigious International Sports & Leisure Conference was being hosted in Ireland covering important topics relevant to the public consultation currently being undertaken by his department on a National Sports Policy Framework”. Attendees of the conference will get to hear from acknowledged leading expert speakers in their industry, including: Marie Sallois Dembreville, the director of corporate development, brand and sustainability at the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For the past two years, she has led global consultation and stakeholder engagement to develop the IOCs ‘Framework for Sustainability and Legacy Planning’. Prof Peter Taylor, professor of sport economics and co-director of the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, is regarded as the leading expert on sports economics globally. He will be sharing insights from his most recent work – a study exploring the social return on investment in sport and the impact it has on improving health and educational attainment, reducing crime and enhancing participants’ life satisfaction. The study found that for every £1 invested into sport in 2013/14, a social return on investment of £1.91 was generated for the benefit of wider society. Dr Stefan Kannewischer, president of the International Association for Sport and Leisure Facilities, said: “The swimming pool and leisure centre industry are facing important economic and ecological challenges. This conference will raise an international perspective on trends and innovations with top-level international speakers.” Esa Mohammed, president of the International Union of Architects, added: “We are delighted to be co-hosting this international conference with the IAKS and Aura Holohan Group in Dublin. The UIA is dedicated to advancing and promoting sustainable, quality sports architecture worldwide and, to this end, has a dedicated sports and leisure programme.” Anyone wishing to receive information on the conference can register their interest on www.poolsandleisureconference2017.com. For further information, contact Gar Holohan on +353862395305 or +353 1 497 8988 or email garh@holohan.ie.