Appendix 1 Boston & Philadelphia Trade & Investment Mission and Golden bridges Conference 12-16 November 2018 1. Introduction As part of its Inward Investment and Business Support Programme DCSDC has been developing linkages and relationships in the State of Massachusetts, City of Boston, City of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania. This year s mission objectives were: To raise the profile of the Ireland NW region To target US companies operating in the financial and professional related services industry and industry influencers to promote the Ireland NW value propostions To support local export-ready companies in developing new markets and strategic alliances To build upon existing linkages with the NW Diaspora through the Golden Bridges Conference programme, engagement events and one-to-one meetings with key stakeholder groups To strengthen relationships of mutual benefit with key education, political and economic stakeholders in the NE USA 2. Preparation
a. Media campaign to recruit and select export-ready companies operating in NW for both Boston and Philadelphia b. Refreshed Ireland Northwest investment brochure and www.irelandnw.com updated for 2018 mission c. Mission delegate profiles brochure produced d. Pre-mission assistance programme: workshop, 1-1 business mentoring, in-market support providing facilitated introductions to potential partners/customer e. Detailed itinerary for both trade, investment and civic strands of the visit f. Media plan for Ireland NW mission and media profile for individual companies participating on the mission 3. Trade Mission A total of 7 companies participated (6 from DCSDC and 1 from DCC) on the Trade Mission which focused on Boston, Massachusetts. The companies were as follows: Joule Group ACS Ltd Bridie Mullin Linenwear Atlantic Hub Triona Designs NI Clinical research Services Baronscourt Brewing Company
PIC: Ireland NW 2018 mission companies. Represented in pic are Baronscourt Brewing Company, Joule Group, ACS Controls Ltd, NI Clinical Research Services and Bridie Mullin Linenwear 4. Mission Programme Monday 12th November Arrival in Philadelphia Hosted NW diaspora engagement in Philadelphia with members of the Derry Association Tyrone Association and Donegal Association led by Mayors
PIC: Ireland NW delegation with diaspora representatives from the Derry Association, Tyrone Association and the Donegal Association Tuesday 13 th November Ireland NW Investment Breakfast with 50 industry influencers from City of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania. The CEOs jointly delivered the Ireland NW investment proposition to an audience of selected industry influencers including attorney and accounting firms, industry representatives from financial and professional related service companies, economic development agencies including State of Irish American Business Chamber & Network, Philadelphia City Council, Chester County, State of Pennsylvania Economic Development Agency and Citizens Diplomacy International. Also in attendance was a representative from DuPont, Delaware, who provided an excellent insight to the region from an industry perspective.
Signing Ceremony of MoUs between NW Regional College and Philadelphia Community College and State of Pennsylvania attended by the Mayor of Philadelphia, Senator Jim Kenney PIC: Signing of MoUs with representatives of Ireland NW delegation, Philadelphia Community College and State of Pennsylvania PIC: Signing of MoU Ceremony, Ms Samantha Traynor, NWRC with Mayor of Philadelphia, Senator Jim Kenney, Mayor John Boyle and Cathaoirleach Seamus O Domhnaill. PM
Individual meetings with City of Philadelphia, Chester County s China Initiative Programme Manager and Philadelphia s Welcoming Centre which provides soft landing services and drives innovation collaborations partnering. Transfer to Boston Briefing meeting with mission companies, Boston agents and mission partners Wednesday 14 th November Business Leaders Breakfast hosted at UMass Club, Boston. Senior Executives from companies which have expressed an interest in collaborating with the Northwest. FDI meetings PIC: Ireland Northwest Business Leaders Breakfast, UMass Club, chaired by John Barros, Chief of Economic Development, City of Boston PIC: John Kelpie, CEO, Presenting to the Boston Business Leaders at UMass Club
Launch and Project Board meeting with Harvard graduate School of Design. The Atlas for a City-Region is a unique project which will investigate how this cross-border city-region can be shaped in light of the economic, political and social realities of Brexit. PIC: Project Board meeting Harvard Thursday 15th November Meeting with the senior leadership team of UMass College, Boston Meeting with Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mayors and CEOs meet with Mayor of Boston, Senator Marty Walsh PIC: Engagement with Mayor Walsh
Meeting with Boston City Council re MoU Golden Bridges reception hosted by Aoife Budd, Consulate General of Ireland in New England at the Irish Consulate with Ireland Northwest delegation and other selected invited guests PIC: Meeting with Boston City Council representatives Sarah Delude and John Barros Friday 16 th November Golden Bridges Conference. This year marked the 10 th Golden Bridges annual conference that focuses solely on the transatlantic bridges that have been built between Massachusetts and Ireland Northwest. The purpose of the event is to promote partnerships between the two regions but also to highlight business, education and community initiatives by bringing together leaders from Ireland Northwest and their counterparts in Boston and Massachusetts. Golden Bridges has built a credible reputation in Boston and Massachusetts and with an annual audience of 100 influencers is a fixed event in the Boston calendar. The conference was officially opened by the Mayor of Boston and the Mayors of DCSDC and Donegal County Council.
An overview of the NW was presented by the Chief Executives and themed panel discussions followed. These sessions provided a platform for the audience to receive key investment messages on the opportunities in the NW namely driving business success, talent, research, innovation and creativity, the tourism potential of the region and driving an agenda of transformation. Both Abbots and Allstate NI were involved on the panels providing industry insight Golden Bridges Awards Luncheon. The guest speaker was Senator Mike Rush. The 2018 honourees awarded included Abbots Ireland, Allstate, Dr Steve Spinelli (President Philadelphia University), Tim Murray (Worcester Chamber of Commerce) and Victoria Denoon. The luncheon was an excellent opportunity for the mission companies to network with key political and business leaders. I returned from Boston on Monday and have been busy following up on the many contacts I made there. Before closing my laptop tonight, I just wanted to thank you for the very supportive interest you took in my linen products. Your support was tremendous and in the right gathering. I have had many emails and business cards to follow up on and I do not intend to loose a day in the process. Strike while the iron is hot they say. I am indebted to you for your support and look forward to doing business in Boston Bridie Mullin www.bridiemullin.com PIC: Mayor presents Peter Barber, Allstate NI with Golden Bridges Award Depart Boston
5. Media 118 posts via twitter with a reach of 414.7k and 1.1k interactions 16 posts via facebook with a reach of 16.1k and 15 interaction AVE value of media broadcast was 37k Hashtags used #irelandnw18, #goldenbridges