Building a brighter future was the resounding message at the Waterford Chamber Annual Dinner on Friday night last in the Tower Hotel.
United States Ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin, took to the podium in front of business leaders at the black tie event which was sponsored by RelateCare.
“Tonight, we are here in Ireland’s oldest city to celebrate the region’s business community - a region that is globally renowned for its creativity and innovation. Your companies, both large and small, play a critical role in enhancing the growing trade and investment linkages between Ireland and the United States”, said Ambassador Cronin.
Opening the event, Mayor of the City & County of Waterford, Cllr John O’Leary said: “Being able to showcase the existence and success of other global companies already in the region and the presence of established clusters in their sectors is a huge advantage in demonstrating to potential investors the confidence these companies have in what Waterford and the South East has to offer.
“There are 79 IDA Ireland client companies located in the South-East, with more than half of these located in Waterford, employing almost 9,000 people. Ireland’s South East is the fastest growing region in the fastest growing economy in Europe and the FDI Magazine recently recognised us as the number one “European Region of the Future” for our FDI strategy. Our competitive business environment and thriving sectoral ecosystems make the region an ideal location to grow or locate business.”
During his address, Waterford Chamber President Paul Nolan said: “I am optimistic about opportunities that exist for our companies to expand their footprint in the US market and about our capacity to continue to attract significant, high-quality investment from the United States. This will require a concerted effort on the part of our business community, supported by Government and our State Agencies and we at Waterford Chamber are only too willing to play our part.
“We are all here because we have all chosen to invest in Waterford. We are building a vibrant and sustainable city, strongly leading the South East, where there are over 30 companies with direct links to the US. We in Waterford are positioned to lead in terms of business development, economic growth and educational excellence. We have set an optimistic and ambitious vision for the future of Waterford.”
Speaking on behalf of sponsors RelateCare, Conor O’Byrne, CEO said: “RelateCare is very proud to sponsor the Waterford Chamber Annual Dinner, which once again has proved itself to be an invaluable occasion to not only celebrate Waterford business, but exchange ideas, aspirations and ambitions as part of increasing partnership and commerce across the region. The presence of US Ambassador to Ireland, Claire D. Cronin, is a compelling endorsement of the entrepreneurial and commercial potential of the south-east, and her advocacy for the continuation and strengthening of partnership in business, trade and investment between Ireland the United States is extremely well-received.”
The Annual Dinner was sponsored by RelateCare and the drinks reception was sponsored by RE/MAX Team Fogarty Auctioneers. For further details on this event and future Waterford Chamber events see www.waterfordchamber.ie.
