AWTE’s International Women’s Day Lunch: Heartfelt Shout Outs & Celebrating Women in Travel

On Friday 7 March, Café En Seine in Dublin was the place to be as the AWTE (Association of Women Travel Executives) hosted its much-anticipated annual lunch to mark International Women’s Day, kindly sponsored by the Spanish Tourism Office. With tickets flying off the shelves in record time, the event was packed with suppliers, tourist boards, and travel trade professionals, all eager to celebrate, connect, and raise a glass to the incredible women of the travel industry.

And what a celebration it was! The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as guests indulged in a feast of delicious food and free-flowing drinks. Courtesy of the entertainment sponsor, TBO Bookabed, a live Spanish guitarist set the scene, as attendees mingled and sipped on their welcome drinks.

The official proceedings kicked off with a warm welcome from AWTE committee member Katrina McMullan, who gave the lowdown on upcoming AWTE events and shared all the reasons why every woman in the travel industry should be part of this powerhouse community. Next up, Kathryn MacDonnell from the Spanish Tourism Office delivered a short but sweet presentation before everyone settled in for a fabulous lunch.

One of the standout moments of the afternoon was the heart-warming Shout Outs. In the run-up to the event, attendees had sent in messages of love and appreciation for their female colleagues, and seeing names pop up with words of gratitude had the whole room beaming. Cheers and laughter filled the space as the travel industry’s finest were recognised for their hard work and support for one another. Stay tuned to the AWTE’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, next week, for a reel including the shout outs!

As plates were cleared and glasses refilled, the real party began. Entertainer Angel Brennan took the stage and, within minutes, had everyone on their feet, dancing off their desserts in true celebratory style. The energy was electric, the smiles contagious, and the fun unstoppable! To top it all off, some lucky attendees walked away with amazing prizes, making an already unforgettable afternoon even sweeter.

The AWTE’s International Women’s Day lunch was more than just a meal—it was a celebration of strength, camaraderie, and the incredible women shaping the travel industry. With so much laughter, appreciation, and inspiration packed into one event, guests left Café en Seine with full hearts, happy memories, and plenty of excitement for what’s to come!