An NIABT delegation including six MLAs and nine business representatives took part in a week long educational programme during the first week of June this year. The programme started off in Washington DC where Norman Houston, Director at the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington, D.C. had arranged two days of intensive meetings and presentations. The first meeting was with David Slack, Vice President, Government Affairs Bombardier and Ashleigh de la Torre, Principal at The Bockorny Group and during the stay in Washington D.C., the group also met with Ambassador David O’Sullivan, Head of the Delegation of the European Union, Congressman Richard Neal and Gerri Fiala: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Employment and Training Administration, US Department of Labor.
The group then moved on to Baltimore for meetings with members of the Greater Baltimore Committee, Mike Gill, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and Mark Montgomery, President and CEO of Ports America.
The week ended with attendance at the two day New York New Belfast Conference where NIABT members were directly involved with a number of break out sessions on a variety of topics such as Transformational Projects in Cities on the Rise and How can Belfast make itself a must-visit destination for Irish Americans?
NIABT delegation pictured with Barbara Jones, Consul General of Ireland in New YorkNIABT delegation pictured with Norman Houston, Director at the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington, D.C.NIABT delegation pictured with Gizachew Andargeh, International Business Manager, Business Development and Strategy Division at the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development, District of Columbia GovernmentNIABT delegation pictured with Ambassador David O’Sullivan, Head of the Delegation of the European UnionNIABT pictured with Sean Heather, Vice President, Center for Global Regulatory Cooperation and Executive Director, International and Antitrust PolicyRobert Harkness and Wilfred Mitchell pictured with Sean Heather, Vice President, Center for Global Regulatory Cooperation and Executive Director, International and Antitrust PolicyChristine Watson and Nicola Bothwell pictured at the Capitol BuildingWilfred Mitchell and John Rooney pictured at the Capitol BuildingMichael Bell pictured at the Capitol BuildingNicola Bothwell and Christine Watson pictured with Chris Crosbie and Stewart Matthews from the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington, D.C.NIABT delegation pictured with Congressman Richard NealPhil Flanagan MLA, John McCallister MLA, Robin Swann MLA and Glyn Roberts pictured outside the Capitol BuildingNIABT delegation pictured with Susan Davis, Founder and Chairman of Susan Davis InternationalPhil Flanagan MLA, Colin Neil, Nicola Bothwell, Christine Watson, Robin Swann MLA and John McCallister MLA pictured outside the 9/11 Museum in New YorkPat Ramsey MLA pictured with Andrea Haughian, VP Development Invest NI USAPat Ramsey MLA, Robin Swann MLA and John McCallister MLA pictured with New York New Belfast Conference delegatesPat Ramsey MLA pictured with Ambassador David O’Sullivan, Head of the Delegation of the European UnionChristine Watson and Wilfred Mitchell pictured with James Bond at Living Classrooms, BaltimoreJudith Cochrane MLA chairs a New York New Belfast Conference session on Transformational Projects in Cities on the RiseJohn Rooney, Pat Ramsey MLA, Robin Swann MLA and Dr Joanne Stuart OBE pictured with David Slack, Vice President, Government Affairs Bombardier and Ashleigh de la Torre, Principal at The Bockorny Group
Ambassador of the United States of America to the Court of St James, Matthew W. Barzun, provided the keynote address at the annual President’s Dinner. Local journalist Colletta Smith interviewed the Ambassador on a number of business issues of interest to the special bond between Northern Ireland and America.
Colletta Smith with Ambassador Matthew W. BarzunSpeaker Mitchel McLaughlin, NIABT President greets Ambassador Matthew W. Barzun
On 28th April, the NIABT hosted a women in leadership event.
Minister Arlene Foster MLA, Eileen Mullan, Strictly Boardroom and Caitríona Ruane MLA spoke about different elements of women in leadership position from their own experiences.
On Tues 14th April, the NIABT briefing focused on the DEL Apprenticeship Scheme.
Minister Dr Stephen Farry MLA, Brian Doran, CEO of Southern Regional College and Michael O’Neill, Engineering Manager at Terex Dungannon presented at the event.
l-r Minister Dr Stephen Farry MLA, Brian Doran, Judith Cochrane MLA, NIABT Chair, Stephen Kelly, NIABT Board, Michael O’Neill
Dr Theresa Donaldson, CEO of Castlereagh and Lisburn Council and Suzanne Wylie, CEO of Belfast City Council presented a rural and urban perspective on how RPA will impact on businesses.
l-r, Dr Theresa Donaldson, Anna Lo MLA, Suzanne Wylie, Judith Cochrane MLA, NIABT Chair
On Friday 16th January, Joe McDonald, Corporate Affairs Manager, Asda NI welcomed Pam Cameron MLA, Trevor Clarke MLA, Paul Girvan MLA and Danny Kinahan MLA to the Antrim Asda store.
During the educational visit, the MLAs learned about the work done by Asda with the local community, their support for local businesses and producers and also the development opportunities for Asda staff.
Joe McDonald Asda, Trevor Clarke MLA, Pam Cameron MLA, Paul Girvan MLA and Brian Conway, AsdaMLAs pictured with the Asda team120 Paul Girvan MLA, Trevor Clarke MLA and Pam Cameron MLA checking out the Asda goods
Shane Logan, CEO of Ulster Rugby delivered a presentation to the NIABT on the development of Ulster Rugby over the past number of years. Shane talked about how Ulster Rugby took a business approach to the development of the new stadium, ensuring they created an excellent venue which would appeal to and be accessible to a diverse audience.
Shane then gave the NIABT delegation a behind the scenes tour of the stadium. The tour gave an excellent opportunity to hear about the technologies that have been embraced during this process.
Basil McCrea MLA, Sammy Douglas MLA, Stephen Kelly, Manufacturing NIStephen Kelly, Manufacturing NI with Sandra Overend MLA
Richard Hogg from the Precision Gear Company talks about their work in the wind industry and the importance of Mitchel McLaughlin MLA’s visit to the company.
Richard Hogg explains to Mitchel McLaughlin MLA some of the current projects being worked on at Precision Gear Company
