Nov14Thu

Ireland North West Trade Mission to Philadelphia

On November 11th-12th, 2024, our Chamber had the pleasure of welcoming a trade mission from Ireland’s North West City Region, led by the Mayor of Derry, Lilian Seenoi-Barr, and the Cathaoirleach (Mayor) of Donegal County Council, Niamh Kennedy. Both mayors are newly elected in 2024. Notably in 2024, the government of Northern Ireland has been restored after a 2 year hiatus over concerns about post-Brexit trade arrangements.

Click HERE for our event photos.

Ireland’s North West City Region is the fourth-largest population hub on the island of Ireland, home to 350,000 residents, is uniquely positioned at the crossroads of the UK and EU markets. It is a cross-border collaboration between Donegal County Council (Ireland) and Derry City and Strabane District Council (Northern Ireland). The North West Strategic Growth Partnership, jointly led by both Councils, is responsible for driving forward the economic, environmental and social prosperity of the region.

The Partnership, comprising senior representatives across all Government departments from Ireland and Northern Ireland, is the first of its kind on the island and was set up with the aim of bringing about real and positive benefits for Ireland’s North West City Region. With a proven track record in attracting Foreign Direct Investment, the North West is already home to over 40 international businesses that leverage strategic advantages to serve global markets and provides seamless access to a combined market of 5.14 million people.

 

The first stop on the Ireland North West trade mission was a visit to the Irish Diaspora Center hosted by the Donegal Association of Philadelphia.

Our strategic partners across the Greater Philadelphia Region joined us in welcoming our delegation and showcasing this region as a destination for Irish companies and investment.

Thank you to a wonderful friend of our Chamber, Pierre-Olivier Lugez, Senior Director, International Business & Global Strategy, Department of Commerce, for hosting our Ireland North West trade mission at Philadelphia’s City Hall.

A very special part of our Ireland North West trade mission was our visit to Project HOME. Our delegation enjoyed sitting in on Project HOME’s weekly meeting with their staff and residents. Followed by the morning meeting, our delegation had a very unique opportunity to meet the new CEO & President of Project HOME, Donna Bullock,and learn about the variety of factors impacting homelessness in Philadelphia, as well as Project HOME’s vision, model, and available programs. Donna impressed our visitors by opening her remarks with Gaelic phrase meaning “to shorten the road”, a phrase that cuts to the heart of Project HOME’s incredible mission. Co-founder Sr. Mary Scullion, whose parents were born and raised in Co. Derry, also met with our group. Sister Mary and her co-founder, Joan Dawson McConnon, were the Chamber’s 2024 Taoiseach Award honoree. Before heading off to their next engagement, the delegation visited Project HOME’s Honickman Learning Center Comcast Technology Lab.
The next stop was a networking luncheon and Women in Leadership program co-hosted by Villanova University’s Center for Irish Studies. Our Mayor Seenoi-Barr and Cathaoirleach Niamh Kennedy joined Dr. Cera Murtagh in an engaging fire-side chat focused on Regional and Cross-Border Placemaking for Economic Development and Growth. The audience, made up of Chamber members and students, included guests from age 18 – 80+! 
The final stop on the schedule was a visit to University City Science Center, a Philadelphia nonprofit that helps startups grow and nurtures a diverse STEM workforce. We are very thankful for the hospitality and welcome for our visitors.

 

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