Dundalk students taste success at key industry event

Five Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) students were recently awarded third place in the prestigious IHI Business Management Games held in the Clayton Hotel, Dublin Airport. Students Crisalis Ulloa, Aimee Newman, Sylvie Beranova, Radka Valná, and Damon Connor-Flynn were awarded the prize for their participation in the key industry event, which offers students an invaluable platform to showcase their skills, tackle real-world business challenges, and connect with leading hospitality professionals.

Over two dynamic days, participants engaged in a series of challenges focused on sustainability, technology, personalisation, culture, revenue management, and risk management—reflecting the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry. Guided by their dedicated lecturers, Lorraine Dunne and Maria Roddy-Freyne, the DkIT team demonstrated outstanding innovation, strategic thinking, and teamwork, competing against top talent from across Ireland. 

This year’s event was particularly special, as it marked the 40 years since the Irish Hospitality Institute Management Games first began fostering excellence in hospitality, events, and tourism education. 

A standout moment for the team was reconnecting with esteemed DKIT alumni—Barbora Melounova, Leanne Carroll, and Roisin Mullen, who competed in the 2024 games, alongside Alan Rooney MIHI, a proud member of DKIT’s very first participating team in 2007. 

The future of the Irish hospitality industry is undoubtedly bright, with these talented young professionals poised to drive innovation and shape the future of the sector. The event also provided an excellent opportunity to foster new industry connections, collaborations, and knowledge-sharing.