News Release -
New US Advisory Council to Help Boost Irish Business
Inaugural visit of the newly established North American Advisory Council
A new US based business group has pledged to act as business ambassadors for Ireland and the Shannon Region.
Members of the new North American Advisory Council (NAAC) established by Shannon Development, held their first meeting in Ireland today (Tuesday 25th May 2010) at Adare Manor Hotel, Co. Limerick.
The Council is a network of successful Irish people in North America with a strong business or family connection to the Shannon Region.
Commenting on the reason for establishing the Council, Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development said; “We wanted to establish a grouping of highly motivated people who would provide a sounding board for new ideas and initiatives, and assist Shannon Development in peer-to-peer marketing, and create authentic brand connections – both tourism and industry. The group will act as Ambassadors for Ireland and the Shannon Region.”
Among the NAAC members are: Niall O’Dowd, the proprietor of the Irish Voice newspaper and Irish Central.com; John Fitzpatrick, President of the North American Fitzpatrick Family Hotels Group; Declan Kelly, Senior Vice President of Sales/Marketing at GECAS; Al Nunan, Senior Vice President of Business Banking at Capital One Bank; Michael Brewster, Managing Director of Private Banking (US Division), Credit Suisse; and Sean O’Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Universal McCann.
The first meeting of the Advisory Council took place in the US in December 2009. The first Irish based meeting on the NAAC - held today in Adare Manor, in Co. Limerick - was attended by industry, tourism and education representatives from around the Shannon Region.
Speaking at the event Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Shannon Development CEO said; “We know by the high calibre and profile of the people who agreed to be members of the NAAC, that we can make a real impact on achieving our goals.”
Among those invited by Shannon Development to make presentations at the event were: Michael Vaughan representing the Irish Hotel Federation; Professor Jim Deegan from the University of Limerick; Bill Doherty representing the Mid West branch of the American Chamber of Commerce, and Isobel O’ Regan from Savills property consultants.
Among topics discussed at the meeting were – ‘The Role of the NAAC’, ‘Harnessing the Knowledge Economy’, and ‘Ways to Attract more North American Investment to Ireland’.
Commenting on the outcome of the first Irish meeting of the NAAC, Dr. Cunnane said, “We were pleased with the response from Shannon Region industry, and out of our discussions many strong points of reference have been identified for the NAAC and Shannon Development to follow up on and develop, over what will be a long and fruitful partnership between Shannon Development, the Advisory Council and the Region.”
Members of the NAAC spent three days in the Shannon Region and during that time Shannon Development organised a full programme of site visits and meetings with representatives from education, industry and tourism.
The North American Advisory Council, established by Shannon Development held its first Irish meeting at the Adare Manor Hotel, Co. Limerick. The new business group has pledged to act as business ambassadors for Ireland and the Shannon Region. Pictured from left: Dr. Vincent Cunnane, CEO, Shannon Development; John Fitzpatrick, President Fitzpatrick Family Hotels Group USA; Niall O'Dowd, Irish Voice newspaper; Michael Brewster, MD Private Banking (US Division) Credit Suisse; Declan Kelly, Senior VP GECAS; Al Nunan, Senior VP of Business Banking at Capital One Bank and Paul Mockler, Shannon Development.
Presentations
Isobel O'Regan - Presentation
Jim Deegan - Presentation
Michael Vaughan - Presentation
Bill Doherty - Presentation
End
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