RDS Economic Impact
As host to a wide variety of events including international conferences, exhibitions, meetings, concerts and sport, the RDS is proud to support and contribute to the local and national economy. Year-round we welcome events across a diverse range of industries from IT to pharmaceuticals, construction and business who return to the venue each year.
Events held at the RDS showcase the knowledge economy of Ireland which in turn markets Ireland as a centre of excellence for research and development, as well as a haven for inward investment.
The events industry alone contributes more than €3.5 billion for the Irish economy annually and is responsible for the employment of 35,000 people according to Event Industry Ireland[1].
Exhibitions are the marketplaces and meeting places for entire industries – regionally, nationally, and internationally. Annually, €251 billion in business sales are generated globally across the diverse business sectors that gather at trade shows. An exhibitor can anticipate that for every €1 spent, €2 ROI will be received during the event, and €8 ROI during the post-event period. [2]
Independent assessments have established that the total economic impact of the annual activity that takes place on the RDS campus is in excess of €600 million, greatly benefitting the city and the wider Irish economy. [3]
In 2019, the RDS venue hosted 792 events including 82 exhibitions, 40 conferences, 105 catering events, 18 sporting events, 15 concerts, 330 meetings/seminars/lectures, 19 entertainment events and 18 examinations. With a forecasted attendance of 1,251,562 visitors to the RDS campus.
The Dublin Horse Show which is run by the RDS each year, is a popular summer event which encompasses sport, shopping, social and family fun. Over 5 days, the Show welcomes over 100,000 visitors from Ireland and overseas. Independent reports conservatively estimate that the Dublin Horse Show is worth over €45 million to the city of Dublin.[4]
The Laya Arena is the home ground of Leinster Rugby. The majority of Leinster’s Guinness PRO14 games, as well as a number of European Rugby Champions Cup matches are hosted at the RDS. Supporters travelling to games along with associated indirect spending contributes to a cumulative impact of between €42 million to €62 million per season added to the Dublin economy.[5]
The RDS itself, is Ireland’s oldest philanthropic organisation. Since its inception in 1731, its founding mission was to put ideas into action, to transform Ireland by creating a thriving, vibrant culture and economy. This mission today is realised through the RDS Foundation programme in Arts, Agriculture, Equestrianism, Science and Enterprise.