Ards and North Down Borough Council Attend Meet the Buyer 2025

28th March 2025

On Thursday 27 and Friday 28 March Meet the Buyer took place at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn.

This flagship event sees record numbers of influential tour operators from key international markets and over 150 key representatives from many sectors of the local tourism industry come together to develop future business across Northern Ireland for 2026 and beyond.

Around 5000 face to face sales appointments take place during the workshop and Ards and North Down Borough Council Tourism Team were delighted to attend.

Part of this trip included a Meet the Buyer Fam Trip - Embrace the Giants of Northern Ireland which took place throughout Northern Ireland. This Fam Trip provided an opportunity to showcase culture, coast, cities, food, landscapes and legends to these visiting tour operators. Intending to inspire attendees with unforgettable itineraries throughout their trip.

On 26 March, Ulster Folk Museum in partnership Ards and North Down Borough Council, welcomed the group to the open-air museum which actively preserves, celebrates and demonstrates traditions, stories and skills passed down through many generations to help connect our past to our present.

The group enjoyed craft demonstrations, from blacksmithing to basket weaving, some even having a go themselves.

The sun was shining for a wander through Ballycultra town, with everyone enjoying wonderful local hospitality, music, food and drink. With special performances from Ards CCÉ Entertainment Group, a troupe of talented traditional musicians and a chance to sample products from our local Ards and North Down distilleries Copeland Distillery based in Donaghadee and Echlinville Distillery in Kircubbin.

And no trip would be complete without a visit to the Sweetie Shop!