Ireland Gateway To Europe, US Trade Mission 2022
As a proud partner of Ireland Gateway to Europe, FROSCH Ireland attended the largest private sector delegation “Ireland Gateway to Europe” in Chicago and Boston from the 5th- 8th of April.
IGTE is a not-for-profit annual trade mission made up of professional advisory firms who promote bilateral trade between Ireland and the US. It is now in its 10th year of US, UK and global trade missions. After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, a delegation of over 70 Irish business leaders and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, headed to Chicago and Boston, with the message that Ireland’s trade partnership with the US is stronger than ever. The group were accompanied by The Business Post and the team from The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk, who broadcast from our US events throughout the week.
The purpose of the international event in April was to give c-level decision makers all the information they would need when expanding into the EU, providing a secure resource network for business expansion, and access to an experienced, professional network of service providers.
Jackie Sheehan, Sales Director of FROSCH Ireland who attended the events throughout the US trip says “Connecting with our business peers in the US, facilitating conversations that can lead to bringing business directly to Ireland from various sectors is incredibly important. What is even more important is connecting with the IGTE delegates themselves. Our reservation team at FROSCH Ireland looked after all the travel for the group and we were the first point of contact for anyone needing assistance while on the trip. Foreign Direct Investment is huge contributor to the Irish economy, generating commercial activity, driving investment in areas such as research and innovation among others. These events assist US based companies establish or expand their operations here. It was an incredible experience to be part of the delegation, creating these opportunities”.
The IGTE delegation at Northwestern University
Events Highlights:
A series of events were held over the 4-day trade mission across Chicago and Boston, allowing for a deepening of connections and networking opportunities. These included:
Ireland Gateway To Europe Global Leadership Breakfast Special Session at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University with Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Illinois where he discussed his role in the Irish peace process and other peace processes since then. Speakers at the event included: Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Francesca Corrnelli, Dean, Kellogg School of Management, Robert MacGiolla Phádraig, CCO, Sigmar Recruitment.
The Boston College Ireland Business Council: The Boston College Ireland Business Council (BCIBC) was founded by the Global Leadership Institute (GLI) at Boston College and Ireland Gateway To Europe. Designed to enhance transatlantic trade between Boston and Ireland, the business council draws on the Boston College community and the Irish business community. BCIBC and the Boston College Chief Executives Club held an exclusive lunch, hosted in the offices of Silicon Valley Bank. The event featured a conversation between Rosaleen Blair CBE, Founder and Chair of Alexander Mann Solutions, and EY World Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 and Eric Mosley, CEO and co-founder of Workhuman. Themes covered included the role tech is playing in the current status of work and how it will help with talent retention.
They also hosted an evening dinner: Today’s Leadership for Tomorrow’s Work Boston College Club, Federal Street, Boston The Boston College Club welcomed 120 guests from Boston as well as a travelling delegation from Ireland to the BCIBC Global Investment Symposium dinner. Speakers at the event included: Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Rosaleen Blair CBE, Founder and Chair of Alexander Mann Solutions (AMS), Jason Robins, CEO, DraftKings, Bob Cahill, CEO, Globalization Partners, Neil Naughton, President, Glen Dimplex, Dr Robert Mauro, Director, Global Leadership Institute, Boston College, Robert MacGiolla Phádraig, CCO, Sigmar Recruitment.
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern being interviewed by Robert MacGiolla Phádraig (Sigmar Recruitment)
Transatlantic Tech Breakfast Drift, Boston.
Over 100 guests attended the offices of Drift, in Boston for a Transatlantic Tech Breakfast. Drift is a marketing platform designed to enhance the digital buying experience, which includes features like an AI-powered chatbot and customizable live chat widgets. Over 50,000 businesses use Drift web platform. The breakfast was a forum for US and Irish tech leaders to share insights around the opportunities and challenges to scale, on both sides of the Atlantic. The event comprised of a panel followed by round table discussions. Speakers at the event included: Alison Darcy, Founder and President, Woebot, Amy Spurling, Founder and CEO, Compt, Jim Kelliher, CFO, Drift, Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig, CCO, Sigmar Recruitment (Moderator).
Pictured (l-r): Alison Darcy (Woebot), Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig (Sigmar Recruitment), Jim Kelliher (Drift), Amy Spurling (Compt)
Pictured (l-r): Amy Spurling (Compt), Alison Darcy (Woebot), Bagpiper, Bertie Ahern, Jim Kelliher (Drift), Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig (Sigmar Recruitment)
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern & Jackie Sheehan, Sales Director, FROSCH Ireland
IGTE Trade Mission, Chicago & Boston, April 2022
The delegation attending the events included 70 c-level guests including former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern: Aramex, Bank of Ireland, BDO Ireland, Cork Chamber, CTM, DeCare, Digicom, DUAL Asset, Fine Grain Property, Fingal County Council, FKM. Fit Out. Knowledge. Management., Glandore, Globalization Fujitsu Partners, Grafter, Invesco Ltd, KMCS, Leman Solicitors, Linesight, Shannon Commercial Properties, Sigmar Recruitment, The HR Company, The Panel, Three Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Vhi, Savills Glen Dimplex FROSCH Ireland, Aer Lingus College Football Classic, Business Post
To read the full IGTE week in review click here.