Ireland Gateway to Europe – A Canada and US trade mission

Ireland Gateway To Europe is a not-for-profit collective of Irish service providers who showcase Ireland as a premier European investment location. Each year, they travel to America to meet with companies from both sides of the Atlantic looking to set up base in Ireland. This year, for the first time, the delegation also travelled to Canada. 

Paul McArdle (Joint Managing Partner) represented The Panel.

Here is how they got on.

Monday, 5^th of May – Toronto

The first port of call for the delegation was the IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland Briefing at the One King West Hotel. Where MC Matt Mohan, joined Deirdre Moran and Mark Short from IDA Ireland, and David McCaffrey from Enterprise Ireland, shared market outlooks and statistics for potential trade between Ireland and Canada.

The morning briefing was followed by lunch hosted by the Irish Ambassador to Canada, H.E. John Concannon. A full house saw over 150 guests listen to speakers Neil McLaughlin (Glen Dimplex) and Neil McLoughlin (RBC Wealth Management) in conversation with moderator Adie McGennis (Sigmar Recruitment).

Tom Kennedy from Prime Active Capital outlined his plans for launching a professional Irish ice hockey team in Cherrywood, Dublin.

The last event of the day was the McMillan reception and networking event, enabling attendees to meet and connect with businesspeople interested in working with businesses in Ireland. It also offered attendees a chance to listen to Bernard Dunne (former world boxing champion, Leadership & Performance Coach) sharing some career stories with Robert MacGiolla Phádraig, Co-Founder of IGTE.

Tuesday, 6^th of May – Toronto

Day 2 in Toronto began with a Business Summit & Networking lunch organised and hosted in partnership by the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce Toronto and Ireland Canada Business Association.

Opening remarks for The Ireland Canada Partnership networking event were made by Dr. Deirdre Giblin, Chair, Ireland Canada Business Association and Director of Development and External Engagement at the National College of Ireland.

Attendees then listened to two panel discussions:

• Opportunities for Growth: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Perspective – with Michael Barton, Regional Director Canada, Invest Northern Ireland – Americas, David McCaffrey, Country Manager and SVP Canada, Enterprise Ireland, Sandra Moffatt, Director, Canada – Tourism Ireland, Mark Shorten, VP Financial Services & Life Sciences, IDA Ireland. Moderator was Padraig Callaghan, Executive Vice President, Kainos.
• Navigating Growth Between Ireland & Canada Journeys and Strategic Moves in a Changing Global Landscape – John Clark, Founding Partner, P2 Capital, Robert Henley, Vice President, Sales, Fenergo, and Brent Reuter, Head of North America, Aryza. Moderator was Jess Kelly from Newstalk.

After the lunch, delegates had the opportunity to tour the legislative buildings in Toronto and meet with Hon Caroline Molroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs.

They also go to visit the MaRS Innovation District.

Wednesday, 7^th of May – Toronto and Boston

Day 3 started with a visit to the Ireland Park at Waterfront Toronto, with the highly knowledgeable William Peat of the Canada-Ireland Foundation. Many thanks for sharing all your knowledge, William.

After landing in Boston, delegates attended a baseball game at Fenway Park.

Thursday, 8th of May – Boston

Day 4 began with the CEO Club Lunch at Boston College. The event featured Robert B. Ford, Chairman & CEO of Abbott, in conversation with Dr. Kevin B. Churchwell, President & CEO of Boston Children’s Hospital.

In the evening, delegates attended the Boston College Ireland Business Council (BCIBC) bi-annual dinner. A fantastic evening with some inspirational and insightful discussions featuring Dan Faulkner (CEO, SmartBear), Lisa Considine (SVP HR, Boston Scientific), Dr. Nora Khaldi (CEO, Nuritas), and Joan Kehoe (CEO, Alchelyst). Moderatro was Robert Mac Giolla Phadraig.

Friday, 9^th of May – Boston

Day 5 included a visit to Boston College, which included a tour of the campus, the Burns and Bapst Libraries with Christian Dupont (Associate University Librarian for Scholarly Resources and Burns Librarian at Boston College) and the athletics quarters with Warren Zola (Executive Director of the Boston College Chief Executives Club), before delegates were able to enjoy the city.

Saturday, 10^th of May – Washington

Day 6 was a day of travel, and so delegates didn’t reconvene until the Clarke Hill Welcome Drinks to Select USA event.

Sunday, 11^th of May – Washington

Last day of the bi-lateral trade mission, delegates attended the World Trade Centre Lunch at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Centre. The event offered attendees the opportunity to network with high-profile business and policy leaders.

In the evening the delegation was invited to the Irish Embassy in Washington.

 

Summary:

This year’s Ireland Gateway to Europe saw a great lineup of speakers, and it was great to see the connection between Ireland and Canada also being as strong as ever. The visit to Washington was also a welcome new destination. Topics highlighted were AI, trade, tech, market turbulence, and lots of positive movements in bilateral trade.

Until next year!

Many thanks to Robert MacGiolla Phádraig, Adie McGennis, Claire Kelly, and Jamie Harnett for all their work in making this event come true and in a seamless fashion. Thanks to all the companies that hosted the delegates, the speakers, and our fellow participants for a great trip.

Special mention to Newstalk for their coverage of the trip. Well done, Kieran Cuddihy, Jess Kelly, and Claire Collins.

If you wish to find out more about Ireland Gateway to Europe, please feel free to contact Paul McArdle at paul@thepanel.com or visit: https://www.gatewaytoeurope.org/

Photo Gallery (Courtesy of IGTE and The Panel) 

*Click on the first image to view the carousel of all photos.

Toronto

Boston