Lying awake 30 floors up in a building that had swayed 12 feet during an earthquake didn’t really help my mind relax so I could sleep.
I am just back from Japan where I was a guest of Tourism Ireland on a mission to spread the word about the treasure that is Ireland. Here in this land of saints and scholars we all acknowledge the green, cultural, earthly and aquatic riches we share. Because of these testing times it is imperative that we educate the rest of the world and get them over here to check out this magical part of the Universe.

One of the rituals I learned while in Japan, and indeed really enjoyed, was the exchanging of business cards. I stand facing my new contact, each with our cards deftly held by the tips of thumbs and forefingers.
Our eyes hold the stare. We bow as one.
A moment of silence follows, then ‘Hello, I am Jim Kennedy from Atlantic Sea Kayaking in Ireland. Thank you for your time and I apologise for my lack of Japanese.’
My card leaves my grasp and is taken by my bowing partner. They read it, nay, study it, then acknowledge me and politely thank me for my time.
I then take theirs and follow their welcoming and flattering ways. We then sit down across the table knowing a familiarity has been established in those duelling moments.
In Ireland we exchange business cards with a hump of the shoulders and a meaningless ‘Nice to meet you’ while we file it away in a back pocket..
Never again. I am now doing it the Japanese way. So if you meet me and are in a hurry don’t let me see your business card.

Last week for the Culture night in Cork we were guests of the Cork Port Authorities and they allowed us use their fabulous and historic board room. I told some stories and was ably helped by the fabulous singing of Jessie Kennedy, Tony Davis and the surprise guest and incredible voice of Amanda Neri.
Most of the stories were based around my descent of the River Lee some years ago, when I paddled from Gouganne Barra to Cobh. It took 10 hours and there were many adventures along the way, including getting lost in Inchigeela because the river was so high and the fields were flooded. Also being questioned by the Garda in Cobh on my arrival, as it was dark and somebody reported a small suspicious looking boat landing in an unusual location.

I was asked to give a presentation in Killarney about the summit in Scotland and now that I was an expert (self diagnosed) I was very interested in seeing how we could do one in Ireland.

Karen Buchannan from the West Cork Hotel and I decided to share this presentation  which made it interesting especially for us, but we also got good feedback such as amusing, confusing, educational, not too long winded ……… (http://www.failteireland.ie/Information-Centre/Press-Releases/2010/Ireland-well-positioned-for-Adventure-and-Activity)

On my early arrival I was assured to see so many organisers scurrying, ant-like, around preparing for the conference.  Failte Ireland, Outside magazine, Inland Fisheries stands all adding to the spectacle.

The hotel itself was the perfect for the event. Spacious good acoustics and visually very accommodating.   The technical side was looked after very well, Microphones all worked when called on, Sound was always excellent no matter how loud or quite the presenter was. The screen for presentations was generous enough to be seen clear from any part of the room.  The Presenters were all well rehearsed and delivered a confident and very informative show while keeping the entire event moving along. At the end of the two days I think there was only about 15 minutes lost .
From an adventure providers point of view I was heartened too hear that.

I concluded that Adventure Tourism is finally being accepted into mainstream tourism and how important it is for vacationers to have a reason to go to a destination. Also the parochial attitude in Ireland is being slowly swept aside by the need to sell Ireland not just a village. I also came away with renewed certainty of the importance of guides and safety standards.

Other interesting ideas arising from the conference were, sell our temperate climate and the fact that we are the edge of Ireland and the Atlantic, the fact that we speak English and are a very welcoming race by nature.

Overall I found the  event to be a success and I am reassured to know that we can put on as good as show in Ireland as any other country.  By the way I must complement Failte Ireland on the food the Saturday night. Superb.