In an interview with Afloat, David Graham, CEO of World Sailing (WS), discusses the significance of Dun Laoghaire as a host port for the 2025 World Sailing Annual Conference earlier in November. From the strategic importance of sustainability and inclusivity in sailing to the promise of the National Watersports Campus, Graham offers insights into how Ireland’s premier sailing port is making waves on the international stage.

Afloat: The WS conference is often held in city hotels, often far away from the sailing scene. …DL is unique in being in a real-life sailing port with clubs and local sailors around. That must make a difference for delegates. What criteria does World Sailing consider when selecting host cities for major international events, and how does Dun Laoghaire measure up?

DG: There are many considerations when choosing a host venue for the World Sailing Annual Conference. Firstly, we need facilities for over 400 international delegates with meeting rooms, a venue for the World Sailing Awards, accommodation for World Sailing staff on site, and to be fully accessible. It’s a huge event with many moving parts that all need to come together. That does sometimes mean that the venue is in a city centre, but each conference is unique and we are flexible with the options available.

World Sailing President Quanhai Li leads the applause for Dun Laoghaire at the World Sailing Conference 2025 held in the town Photo: Tom Roberts

Dun Laoghaire was a great host venue for World Sailing and our guests from around the world. World Sailing came here in 2012, and the event is remembered fondly. We knew we would receive a warm welcome and that we would be at the heart of a great sailing community. That helps to bring home the importance of the decisions we make and allows our delegates direct access to the clubs and communities in Ireland.

Afloat: What role does sustainability play in awarding events today? How can Dun Laoghaire showcase its commitment to environmental best practices?

DG: We are always conscious of the demands of the sport, whether on the water at events or off the water with activities such as the Annual Conference. World Sailing measures impact of all our events, as stipulated in the World Sailing Sustainability Agenda 2030. We have committed to reducing our environmental impact and are very proud that World Sailing has a leading role in sustainability across all sports.

Being as sustainable as possible is a key part of our decision-making process but no matter where we hold our conference we understand that people will have to travel. We hold as many meetings as possible online, such as the Mid-Year Meeting and our Committee and Council meetings throughout the year, but there is still great value in meeting face to face. We try to mitigate the impact of international travel by finding more sustainable ways to operate within the conference itself, such as prioritising local suppliers, encouraging greener travel where available and hosting events close to as many of our Members as possible to reduce long-distance travel where possible.

Afloat: With growing emphasis on inclusivity in sport, how can Dun Laoghaire position itself as a destination for para sailing and youth development regattas?

DG: World Sailing has shown its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion through our committees, the development of Para Inclusive sailing, through Steering the Course, our plan to support women in sailing, and operating with a gender-balanced Board. Sailing is a sport for everyone, where everyone is welcome.

The EDI Forum at the World Sailing Annual Conference, Dun Laoghaire. Dublin Ireland  Photo: Lloyd Images

It is increasingly important for International Federations to demonstrate a commitment and set a positive example. Dun Laoghaire is a sailing destination with a great history, and with the growth of inclusive sailing, the expansion of events and opportunities available, there is huge potential for the city to become a host venue or the major events while offering great facilities for Irish sailors and those looking to discover the sport.

The Four Star Pizza Irish Youth Sailing inspiration talk at the World Sailing Annual Conference at the National Maritime Museum in Dun Laoghaire Photo: Lloyd Images

Irish Sailing deserve credit for embracing the opportunity. They have secured improved funding for accessibility in clubs with the intention to encourage clubs, at a grassroots level, into para-sailing development. They also had a chance to share the success of the recent Watersports Inclusion Games, an annual national inclusion event which has gone from strength to strength since its inception, with our delegates and show how Irish Sailing is encouraging people who normally wouldn’t have access to sailing to get on the water in a welcoming environment.

Afloat: What kind of legacy does World Sailing hope to leave behind in host cities after major events or conferences like this one?

DG: Hosting events such as the World Sailing Annual Conference gives host cities the chance to showcase their ability to organise and deliver large-scale events. It provides an opportunity for public and private partnerships, helps to unlock new avenues for investment in the city and the ability to attract more events. There is great potential for the city to work together to host conferences, regattas, and activities across the entire sporting spectrum. We were particularly pleased this year that some of our World Sailing Awards finalists were able to attend a Q&A with young sailors from the area and I hope that will provide a bit of inspiration.

Afloat: Are there plans to rotate more global conferences or forums like this outside traditional venues—could Dun Laoghaire become a recurring location?

DG: The host of the World Sailing Annual Conference is decided by the World Sailing Board, based on expressions of interest and the requirements of the event. We represent a global community and have a duty to rotate the hosts to maximise attendance and share the sport with the world. There is always the possibility for Dun Laoghaire to be a regular host venue for World Sailing events. We certainly do enjoy visiting the city and there are great facilities on offer for sailing and for our delegates.

Afloat: Given the growth of foiling and high-performance classes, how important is infrastructure modernisation for a harbour like Dun Laoghaire?

DG: As the equipment develops and events change, it’s important that all prospective event venues take this into account.

Afloat: What are the emerging sailing markets or formats that cities like Dun Laoghaire should pay attention to if they want to stay relevant on the global stage? The ILCA 7 worlds come here in 2026, but what should Dun Laoghaire be doing to attract more international sailing events to the borough? And what type of class championships do you anticipate?

DG: The growth in recent years in foiling classes, inclusive classes and match racing has shown there is great demand for a wide variety of events. Having open water for the larger boats or racing with a larger field of play is definitely an advantage, but at the same time there is a movement to bring the audience closer to the action. This and broadcast capabilities must be a consideration for any venue looking to attract international sailing events.

Afloat: How can World Sailing support smaller nations or regions like Ireland in developing a stronger international event portfolio? What do World Sailing think of the National Watersports campus plans for DL?

DG: The campus plans are great and will serve the sport very well for many years to come. World Sailing is committed to international development and can support smaller nations with its Emerging Nations Programme, its Inclusive Development Programme and many coaching and officiating training programmes available through World Sailing or Olympic Solidarity. Irish Sailing has taken the initiative and updated their pathway with new logbooks and a new syllabus delivered to clubs and training centres nationwide to help athletes progress and fulfil their potential.

Sailing is a sport for everyone and we’re very pleased with the outcomes of the programmes so far which have seen athletes from emerging nations reach the World Sailing Championships and even the Olympic Games.

Afloat: How does World Sailing measure the success of a host city beyond the water—what off-water factors make an event truly impactful?

DG: Feedback from delegates often highlights the venues and the accommodation as part of the conference, and the opportunities for onward international travel afterwards as many use the conference as an opportunity to go on to other destinations, especially if they are travelling a long distance to be with us. By being in an interesting city with great venues, a rich culture, a vibrant community and opportunities to explore, we know that the annual conference will be a success and the experience will live long in the memories of our guests.

The World Sailing Awards 2025 were held at the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire Photo: Lloyd Images

Afloat: In terms of global visibility and media reach, how does World Sailing help promote the host location before, during, and after the event?

DG: We worked closely with Irish Sailing and the city of Dun Laoghaire to deliver the event in partnership, this results in a lasting impact from the World Sailing Awards on social media, media engagement with the local media, and working with the local sailing federation to promote the sport. This year, this included a Q&A with young sailors where several of the Rolex World Sailor of the Year finalists were present and served as role models for the young athletes, and Dun Laoghaire was featured heavily in our awards presentation, welcome speeches and media releases around the conference activities.