About Micheala
Micheala McIlkenny is the Senior Hospitality Manager at Levy Ireland, based at The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD). She oversees hospitality operations at this world-class venue, ensuring exceptional service across large international conferences, exhibitions and banquets.
Micheala acts as You Matter Ambassador, supporting Levy’s Mental Health Awareness Programme as well as being an active member of our Social Media team and Social Committee. Micheala has a proven record of motivating teams and delivering high-quality guest experiences, exemplifying dynamic hospitality leadership. In 2023, she was recognised for her excellence in the industry and awarded Young Hospitality Manager of the Year by the Irish Hospitality Institute at the Hospitality Management Awards, celebrating her outstanding leadership and commitment to her team.
Known for her strong work ethic, operational excellence and attention to detail, she is often called upon to support other areas of the business, including Levy Ireland’s Horse Racing and Outdoor Division. However, until recently, Micheala had yet to experience the inner workings of Aviva Stadium. We asked her to write this blog to share her experiences and insights after stepping into our largest sporting venue, having spent her career in our largest conference venue.
The CCD to Aviva Stadium:
There are jobs that teach you attention to detail, fine-tuning and delivering exceptional service. Then there are jobs that teach you pace, pressure and how to smile through 51,700 voices roaring in unison. Working across two of Dublin’s most iconic venues, The CCD and Aviva Stadium, has been an experience shaped by contrast, culture and a fair amount of adrenaline.
I’ve been one of the lucky ones who got to bring my knowledge and experience that I have gained from working in The CCD for the last 13 years and adapt it to working in Aviva Stadium- both during The Lions game and the Dua Lipa concert.
The CCD:
Working at The CCD is like operating in a high-performance machine. Every element- from the lighting to the floor plans to the coffee break logistics- is finely tuned. On live event days, you're in at dawn, dressed sharply, game face on, ready to support one another and keep everything running seamlessly. It’s structured, sleek and efficient.
The guests you meet are usually international delegates, tech leaders, policymakers, academics- people who live in bullet points and schedules. There’s a quiet kind of intensity. Everything runs on time, and the expectations are sky-high.
Working at The CCD has taught me how essential teamwork and preparation are in delivering exceptional service to our guests - the importance of precision, professionalism and adaptability in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. The CCD has also strengthened my communication and problem-solving skills, as every day brings new challenges that require quick thinking and a calm, composed approach. Most importantly, it’s shown me how collaboration and preparation behind the scenes are essential to delivering a world-class experience for clients and delegates.
The CCD is essentially all I know as I’ve worked here for my entire career to date. Going to work in the stadium gave me mixed feelings of nervousness, but it also reminded me how adaptable we become when we work in an industry where collaboration and client satisfaction are at the heart of everything.
Aviva Stadium:
Then there’s Aviva Stadium, where high stakes meet high standards. Aviva Stadium sits nestled into Dublin’s residential neighbourhoods and is a completely different beast, especially on match days.
From the moment you step into the stadium on an event day, you feel it: the electricity, the noise and the excitement.
Behind the scenes, it’s a finely tuned operation. Despite the scale and intensity, everything runs with sharp precision. With 51,700 fans pouring through the gates, there’s no margin for error. Working here demands you to communicate clearly across all the different teams and make smart, split-second decisions. It’s fast-paced, high-pressure and exhilarating. There’s nothing quite like the buzz of it.
Working at Aviva Stadium was all about thriving under pressure, thinking on my feet and staying composed in high-energy, fast-moving environments. Working at the Lions match highlighted the importance of teamwork, clear communication and quick decision-making when dealing with large crowds and time-sensitive situations. Aviva Stadium taught me the value of remaining professional and approachable, even amidst the noise, excitement and unpredictability that come with major sporting and entertainment events.
The Big Difference: Energy and Execution
At The CCD, success is measured in seamless execution and quiet satisfaction. At Aviva Stadium, it’s louder, faster, and more visceral, but no less controlled. The satisfaction comes not in silence, but in the roar of the crowd, the smooth movement of thousands of fans, and knowing you helped make it happen.
Not many people get to experience both ends of Dublin’s professional and cultural spectrum in the same week- sometimes even in the same day. Whether it's a suit-and-lanyard conference or a scarf-and-national anthem, both The CCD and Aviva Stadium demand excellence, just in very different ways. Different vibes, same goal: unforgettable guest experiences, delivered flawlessly
Join Us at Levy Ireland
At Levy Ireland, we believe hospitality should never be one-dimensional. From world-class conference centres to iconic stadiums and thrilling outdoor events, we offer our people the opportunity to build varied, exciting careers that challenge and inspire them every day.
Working with us means gaining experience across some of Ireland’s most renowned venues, growing alongside talented teams, and developing skills that shape you into a dynamic hospitality professional. If you’re passionate about people, thrive on creating unforgettable guest experiences and want a career that keeps you learning and growing, there’s no better place to be.
Explore your future with Levy Ireland today.