Volcanic ash and flight restrictions could not prevent study travel agents from travelling to meet IALC members at the 27th IALC Workshop, which took place in Galway, Ireland. In total 102 out of 105 IALC schools showcased their programmes and facilities, with 102 agencies flying in for a packed schedule of meetings, networking and evening entertainment.

New IALC accredited schools attended their first IALC Workshop . These included Lyon Bleu, Genki Japanese Language School (GenkiJacs), Languages International, Associazione Lingue e Culture Europee (ALCE) and Oxford House School of English. The event was also supported by 14 exhibitors and the 2010 Workshop official sponsors, Print to Post International (PPi) and Fáilte Ireland .

Free agent seminars took place prior to the Workshop, featuring presentations on the latest Market Trends and Marketing Through Social Media - all well received by attendees. There followed two days of intensive meetings with directors and decision makers of some of the best language schools in the world.

To reward this hard work, a number of outstanding evening events were organised by Galway Cultural Institute, creatively led by Celestine Rowland and David Niland with their team of Jason Foody and Rory Curley helping to deliver the seamless entertainment.

At the school visit on the Friday, participants were able to sign up to a number of different events which showcased Ireland’s unique culture and roots. The most popular of these were classes in Irish dancing and a whiskey tasting. At Saturday’s gala dinner, the Irish Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív welcomed attendees with a rousing speech, and a spectacular show of Irish dancing by the Trad on the Prom troupe followed the dinner.

To round off the Workshop, familiarisation trips departed for Cork, Dublin and the South West of England on Sunday 2 May.

The four-day IALC Workshop received very positive feedback from members and agents alike.

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