Chicago AIF Welcomes Northern Ireland's First Ministers to Chicago
On Monday, March 15, Northern Ireland's First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness were welcomed to Chicago by the American Ireland Fund and Invest Northern Ireland. The Ministers were accompanied by Declan Kelly, US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland. The Ministers are on their US tour for the St Patrick's Day celebrations and were in Chicago to promote investment opportunities in Northern Ireland for US multinationals. In attendance at the event at the Ritz Carlton were numerous members of the Ireland Network who had an opportunity to chat with the Ministers about the current business climate in Northern Ireland.
Irish across the United States are now better connected, thanks to the work of the Irish Network USA (IN USA) which was launched on March 14, 2010 by An Taoiseach Brian Cowen in San Francisco. The event was attended by representatives from many US-based Irish Networking organizations including Helen Garrahy, President of The Ireland Network of Chicago.
IN USA is a forum through which individuals from any and all fields can connect through the common bonds of heritage and identity with modern Ireland. By harnessing the energy of its diverse membership, IN USA aims to strengthen the economic, social and cultural ties between the US and Ireland. Irish Networks (IN) are already enjoying success in Chicago, New York, San Francisco/Bay Area, San Diego and Washington DC. Each was formed with the aim of encouraging Irish networking in their local community; and IN USA takes that objective to the next level by allowing members of the INs to connect to the wider Irish community in the US through a website and national member database.
It allows members of the various INs to connect with their peers, develop relationships that will foster success in their business, economic and social ventures; and broaden their footprint in the US. IN USA will also be a resource to assist Irish, Irish Americans, and friends of Ireland in other cities to serve their community, and the national connection will allow for greater collaboration and success for all. Many prominent, influential and successful Irish people have shared their experiences and insights through the INs, and mentored other Irish people to succeed. Our website will launch on March 14, 2010.
Visit us at www.irishnetwork-usa.com (Website and design courtesy of Colin Byrne, Totem Visual Communications.) For additional comments or questions, please contact Aoife Butler, President of IN USA, at Paul Hastings LLP aoifebutler@paulhastings.com (212) 318-6229.
