Learning from the Best: Prime Arena at the EHC Business Forum in Belfast
Paula O'Donnell shares insights from Day2 of the European Hockey Club Business Forum
October 2025 - Paula O'Donnell, Business Project Manager of Prime Arena, had the opportunity to attend Day 2 of the European Hockey Club (EHC) Business Forum at the SSE Arena in Belfast. The experience proved to be both educational and inspiring as Prime Arena continues its journey toward launching the Republic of Ireland's first professional hockey team.
A Gathering of Hockey Industry Leaders
The forum brought together an impressive lineup of General Managers and Operations Team staff from European and North American hockey leagues. Paula attended alongside Steve Thornton, Sports Director of the Odyssey Trust, which owns the Belfast Giants and manages the SSE Arena. The caliber of attendees and speakers made for a truly captivating day of learning and networking. A special thanks goes to Caroline and her team from EHC for organising an exceptional agenda with world-class speakers who shared their knowledge and experience with attendees.
Inspiration from Vegas: Building Success from Scratch
One of the day's highlights was hearing from George McPhee, President of Hockey Operations for the Vegas Golden Knights. McPhee shared the remarkable story of building a team from the ground up and achieving what many thought impossible, winning the Stanley Cup in their inaugural season. For Prime Arena, currently embarking on the ambitious mission to establish professional hockey in Ireland, McPhee's insights into creating a winning franchise from scratch were particularly relevant and inspiring. His experience demonstrated that with the right vision, planning and execution, extraordinary success is achievable even for brand-new organisations.
Arena Management Insights from Belfast
Beyond the hockey operations discussions, Paula had the privilege of spending time with Claire Cosgrave, Associate Director of Experience at the Odyssey. Claire generously shared her expertise on the business of arena management, providing valuable insights that will inform Prime Arena's operations strategy. During a comprehensive tour of the facility, one feature particularly stood out: the arena's 'wall' of events, documenting 25 years of history. This impressive display showcased the incredible breadth of artists, shows, and Belfast Giants games that have filled the venue over the years, a powerful testament to the venue's versatility and community impact. At Prime Arena, we're designing our facility with state-of-the-art technology and maximum flexibility to host an even wider variety of events, from professional hockey to concerts, family shows, and corporate events.
Game Night: The Belfast Giants Experience
The day concluded in the best possible way, watching the Belfast Giants take on the Cardiff Devils in an Elite Hockey League match. The Giants secured the victory, much to the delight of their passionate home crowd. As one fellow attendee perfectly put it, "not a bad thing to be doing on a Wednesday night in October." The atmosphere was electric, offering a firsthand look at what makes ice-hockey such a compelling sport for fans and a valuable entertainment product for venues.
25 Years and Counting
The Belfast Giants are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, a remarkable milestone for any sports franchise. Outside the arena sits a giant puck with an inscription that captures the spirit of their journey: "they said it would never last."
That message resonates deeply with the Prime Arena team. As we work to bring professional ice-hockey to the Republic of Ireland for the first time, we're aware that ambitious ventures often face skepticism. The Giants' 25-year success story is proof that with commitment, quality and community support, what seems impossible can become not just possible, but enduring.
Looking Ahead
The insights gained from the EHC Business Forum, combined with the inspiration of seeing the Belfast Giants in action, have reinforced our excitement about Prime Arena's future. We're grateful to everyone who shared their knowledge and experience and we look forward to applying these lessons as we continue building Ireland's premier entertainment and sports venue.
Stay tuned for more updates on our journey.