New York Visit
The North Kildare Chamber of Commerce (NKCC) sent its President, Vivian Cummins, and CEO, Allan Shine to attend a series of events in New York between the 7th and 10th of October 2015. The main purpose of the visit was to explore options for a comprehensive trade mission by Co. Kildare stakeholders to New York on or around St. Patrick’s Day 2016.
During the visit the NKCC delegation were the guests of the Ireland Chamber of Commerce-USA (ICCUSA) at its 27th Annual American Celtic Ball, an awards banquet/dinner, attended by over three hundred business and government leaders from Ireland, the US and around the world at the Plaza Hotel, Central Park. They also had an opportunity on the eve of the Celtic Ball dinner to meet with recipients of the Sir Michael Smurfit Business Achievement Awards this year including William McMorrow (Chairman and CEO – Kennedy Wilson) and Kathleen A. Murphy (President Personal Investing – Fidelity Investments).
In addition the NKCC President and CEO held a series of meetings with Irish Government bodies operating in North America including IDA Ireland and Bord Bia at the offices of the Irish Consul in Ireland House on Park Avenue. They also met with Irish firms who had recently established in the U.S.A. including Brandon Global I.T. and Espion Group as well as more established Irish-American concerns such as Maguire Hegarty LLC.
The common message that came across loud and clear during the visit was that Irish workers, both here and in the U.S. are highly valued by American business. Over and over again the message was repeated that Irish workers are recognised as being well educated, hard working and dependable. It appears that the reputation of being “hard drinkers and great craic” has been replaced and this is now the greatest strength Ireland has in the global workplace.
This weekend the NKCC looks forward to welcoming members of the New York Co. Kildare Association to Naas for the unveiling of the John Devoy statue in Poplar Square on 25th October 2015.
The image is a reproduction of the NKCC page in the ICCUSA Celtic Ball Dinner Journal