WHAT IS ILAM?

ILAM is the Irish Leisure Industry Body for all Sports, Fitness, Aquatic, Outdoor, Health Spas and Associated Facilities. Originally formed in 1989 as ILAM (Ireland) the Institute of Leisure & Amenity Management - the professional body representing Leisure Managers in Ireland and funded by the  Minister of Sport, through the Department of Education. With the tremendous growth in the Sports & Leisure Industry, the Organisation was re-launched in October 2006 with a new logo, strategy and revised articles of association, and re-branded as “ILAM” with a number of divisions to cater for the different Industry needs.

ILAM has undergone radical change over the past ten years with a lot of new initiatives and services for members. In addition ILAM has lobbied on behalf of the Industry successfully influencing various Government policies and strategies including the roll out of the GP Exercise Referral Programme on a National Basis; all ILAM recommendations included in the Obesity Strategy and the ILAM White Flag Award included as the mandatory standard for future funding under the exchequer Swimming Pools capital programme. Other initiatives and services include the following:

1 - European Qualifications and Research. Since 2003, ILAM has been involved in eight European Commission funded projects conducting research and developing qualification frameworks and standards for Fitness, Sports Management and Outdoor sectors.

2 - National Industry Facility and Training Standards:  ILAM introduced a membership code in 2010 to supplement the White Flag Award which was developed in 2000-2001 and with FAS developed the Leisure Traineeship Programme. With part funding from Skillnets, ILAM developed a range of qualifications for supervisors, managers and operatives (CSM, Diploma and NSSPC). The ILAM /SEI Energy Map Programme has run in 2009 and 2010 and is saving potentially tens of thousands Euros in energy saving for participating facilities. We also are optimistic of further programmes subject to Government spending reviews of course.

3 - GP Exercise Referral. ILAM have been successful in obtaining further grant aid for the GPERP Programme

4 - ILAM Consultancy Services. We have been working on various Consultancy assignments over the past year including accident investigation, review of safety statements and risk assessments and training plus leisure management contract specifications and managing tender processes and interim management and support. The Consultancy Company provides Independent unbiased professional services to the Industry as well as providing income which contributes to the costs of running ILAM. Therefore all of the Profit generated effectively goes back to the Industry.

5 - Garda Vetting. Since An Gárda Siochana, approved ILAM as the registered Organization for Sports, Fitness, Aquatic Facilities, Outdoor, Spa & Wellness, over 2,000 applications have been processed. This service is provided free of charge to fully paid up ILAM members ONLY The Gardai will NOT permit ILAM to offer this service to non members as the rationale is that ILAM has no control over non members. All facilities within the sectors covered by ILAM are referred by the Gardai to ILAM as the Industry Body for Sport, Fitness, Aquatic Facilities, Spa & Wellness, and Outdoor.

6 - Free member Seminars/workshops. These were introduced in 2010 providing a range of high quality invaluable topics to help improve standards and the bottom line for ILAM Members.

These are shown in the Organisational chart below.

WHO CAN JOIN?

All Sport, Leisure, Spa and Associated Facilities operating within the Island of Ireland can join as full voting members. Sport/Aquatic/Leisure/Education/Spa Professionals and others with an involvement or interest in the sector can join as Associate Members. There is also a student membership category. Trade Suppliers are very welcome to join as affiliates to support the industry and avail of exclusive promotional opportunities.

WHAT WE DO?

STANDARDS

• ILAM Operations Standards for Sport & Leisure facilities
• White Flag - the Quality standard for Spa and Leisure
• Industry codes of practice/other publications

INFORMATION AND ADVICE

• Web site and members only area
• Members newsletter
• Information/fact sheets
• Support and production of research/surveys: e.g. Irish Fitness sector report; Career issues in the Leisure industry;
• “Leisure Management Ireland” Industry magazine
• Email and phone advice line

LOBBYING/REPRESENTATION

• Represent the Industry to Government, Trade Unions and other Organisations/Agencies
• Submission of responses to Government and other policy and consultation documents
• Lobbying of Government departments/agencies and other organisations on behalf of the Industry
• Press Releases on key issues and industry/ white flag profile

ILAM IN EUROPE

• ILAM has assisted in developing the EHFA (European Health Fitness Qualifications) framework and has produced a Fitness Sector action plan for Europe
• ILAM participated in four recent EU funded projects which enables Irish Leisure to contribute to European developments and to assist with Industry developments in Ireland
• ILAM is a member of several European and International Organisations including EASE (European Association of Sports Employers), EHFA (European Health & Fitness Association),  IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & Sports Club Association)
• ILAM is the IHRSA Strategic partner for Ireland
• All full members of ILAM are also IHRSA members and thus receive benefits such as access to global and European reports, information, magazines, discounts on publications and European and International conferences

QUALIFICATIONS

• Accredited by SLITO (Sport & Leisure Industry Training Organisation)
• NSSPC (National Swimming & Spa Pool Certificate) and Foundation course
• IWS/ILAM Pool Lifeguard Qualification
• GP Exercise referral co-ordinator in conjunction with Health Services Executive/Dept of Health
• CSM- Certificate in Supervisory Management
• Diploma in Leisure Management (FETAC accredited modules)

TRAINING

• One day and In-house seminars and workshops on a wide variety of topics of relevance to the Sport, Leisure and Spa Industry
• A wide variety of training is accredited by SLITO (Sport & Leisure Industry Training Organisation)

NETWORKING

• Annual Conference & Exhibition
• Regional Networks - meetings with free training for members

OTHER SERVICES

• ILAM Consultancy Services provides a full consultancy Service for the Sport, Leisure & Spa Industry
• Recruitment Service - web based for recruiting Leisure staff
• Advertising in Magazine, e-zines & Wallplanner
• Sponsorship opportunities