SelectUSA Summit

Pictured above: Cathal McSweeney, International Relations Manager, Cork Chamber; John Falcicchio, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development; Paul Whitnell, BITA, President and Colm Lean, Group Finance Director and Company Secretary, Carbery Group.

The SelectUSA Summit was held in person for the first time in three years this June in Washington DC.

The SelectUSA Summit is the highest profile event in the US dedicated to promoting inward investment and the only event where representatives from all 50 States come together to showcase the benefits of expanding into their State.

Cork was well represented as part of the largest ever Irish delegation at the summit with International Relations Manager, Cathal McSweeney attending on behalf of Cork Chamber. The event presented the opportunity to catch-up with States that already have strong economic ties with Cork like New Jersey, New York and Illinois while making new connections and learning about the economic ecosystems of States such as Vermont, Indiana and Nebraska.

Each day of the summit was split in two. The morning plenary sessions offered the chance to hear the policy perspectives from Secretary Gina Raimondo or Secretary Marty Walsh, while President Joe Biden delivered a pre-recorded address. Common themes from across these speeches, and the State Governor panels, were how the tight labour market and access to workforce talent were affecting businesses and what was being done at a state and federal level, or by individual business, to tackle these issues.

In the afternoon delegates had the opportunity to meet the representatives from the individual states or take part in the breakout sessions. The interactive breakout sessions were led and by policy and industry experts, they focused on topics such as Market Entry and Site Selection. The lively discussions were designed to provide actionable information to companies about the practical elements of investing in the US from developing a workforce to understanding incentives. The exhibition hall accommodated the most important business of the summit. This was where delegates met state representatives to ask questions and learn more about the fit for their business. Each stand was teeming with conversation throughout the few days.

The Irish Ambassador to the United States, Dan Mulhall, generously hosted a reception for the Irish delegation one evening. He pressed the importance of Irish companies expanding into new markets, such as the US. Ambassador Mulhall gave a comprehensive overview of how economic relations between Ireland and the US have evolved over the past 150 years with investment now flowing both ways. At the event, the American Ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin addressed the attendees and spoke about Ireland’s unique position as both the gateway to the EU and the gateway to the USA. The opportunity to network to the many talented Irish delegates at different stages of their development in the US was one of the most beneficial elements of the summit.

Cork Chamber will continue to work with the SelectUSA Team in the United States Embassy Ireland and we hope that the representation from Cork will increase in size again at next year’s summit. If you are interested in entering the US market, growing your presence there or joining next year’s SelectUSA summit please contact cathal@corkchamber.ie