A delegation of 20 people took part on a 5 day trade mission to Boston this month comprising of Kildare Business leaders, Local Government and Maynooth University. The trade mission organised by County Kildare Chamber was timed perfectly with the prospect of a no-deal Brexit looming.
Allan Shine, Chief Executive of the Chamber said, “Our trade mission to Boston was the first of a 5 year commitment of visiting Boston annually. The Trade Mission, is part of our ongoing efforts to raise Kildare’s profile internationally, to improve the already-strong bilateral trade and investment linkages with Boston, and to provide a forum for Kildare companies active in the Boston area to develop their relationships with customers, partners, and other stakeholders. The annual Trade Mission is also part of our business agenda to increase the export market penetration and diversification of Kildare companies post Brexit.
Maureen Bergin, President of the Chamber said “Our trade mission facilitated the introduction of high-level business contacts for Kildare suppliers spanning a number of key sectors. During the trade mission, our aim was to promote Kildare and its world-class companies during a series of high level business engagements with private and public organisations. We also undertook a series of engagements with representatives of the Irish business community in the region.
Meetings were held with:
Connelly Partners ( One of the world’s most foremost digital marketing agencies)
Boston Chamber
Northeastern University
City of Boston
Quincy Chamber
The Irish Consulate
The key event of the week was the hosting of the Inaugural County Kildare Diaspora Dinner which had 65 key stakeholders in attendance. Allan Shine said, “ This dinner gave the Chamber the opportunity to promote Kildare as the ideal location of choice for businesses in Boston to locate their European Headquarters in Kildare”. The dinner was in association with Kildare County Council and Chief Executive of the Council Peter Carey addressed the room and engaged the audience with the new and exciting developments that are underway across the county which was of particular interest to those that are Kildare natives working in Boston.
Business was completed on the trade mission and one of those, VEI Global are at contract stage for signing an alliance partnership with a major east coast telecoms provider to extend their services into Europe. VEI Global will be setting up a US base in Boston in the first 3 months of 2020 as a result of the trade mission.
Allan Shine commented, “ This is great news for VEI Global, we also expect several more announcements over the forthcoming weeks as businesses on the trip are engaging with Boston contacts now on a daily basis since our return. We are looking forward to hosting a trade delegation from Quincy Chamber to Kildare in March 2020 and will work alongside our partners LEO Kildare and Kildare County Council in ensuring they receive a Kildare welcome on their visit.
We return to Boston in March 2020 to start preparations for our next trade mission to the city which will be in October of next year”.