Patrick Delaney

With his business partner Pádraic Gilligan, Patrick Delaney is Managing Partner at SoolNua, a boutique consultancy firm working in the Meetings and Events industry. Previously, both Delaney and Gilligan worked for MCI, a global association, communications and event management company.

Patrick holds a BA degree in Hospitality Management from Dublin Institute of Technology. Patrick worked for the Irish Tourist Board for many years throughout Ireland and the US. Patrick returned to Ireland in the early 90s and worked as Sales and Marketing Director for a five star luxury hotel brand.

Following this, he started Delaney Marketing Consultants in 1994 with Padráic Gilligan. In 2002 Delaney Marketing acquired Ovation and re-branded as Ovation Group. In June 2007 Ovation was acquired by MCI Group and commenced a robust global expansion programme which saw the establishment of Ovation offices at over 100 European, Asia, Latin American and Middle Eastern destinations under the Ovation Global DMC brand.

Delaney was the first non US international president of Site (Society of Incentive and Travel Executives). He was the only Irish person to be recognised by Conference & Incentive Travel (UK) for inclusion in their Power 50 list; a directory of the most inspirational people in the UK and Ireland.

Patrick has been honoured with various awards at the meeting and events industry’s premier shows including the IMEX Academy Award in 2009 and the EIBTM 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award. He has spoken at a number of industry events, contributing to Site, EIBTM, IMEX and ICCA to name a few and continues to give regular seminars and lectures across all five continents of the world. Delaney also serves on the advisory board for EIBTM and the Board of Directors for INCON Group.

Patrick is married to Mary Delaney and together they have 4 grown up children. He is passionate about the meeting and events industry, travel, networking, reading (particularly historical literature and crime), art and hiking - wherever his walking boots will take him. He is also an avid tennis player and is never happier than when he gets his shorts on, in any weather, and plays game of tennis in his local club with friends and colleagues.