Shannon sells best of the west on Chicago mission

The West of Ireland’s appeal to one of its key markets, Chicago, for inward trade investment and tourism has been reinforced in a three-day visit by Shannon Group to the third most populous US city.

The delegation, which included Shannon Group Chairman Rose Hynes, CEO Neil Pakey and Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Murphy, had eight separate engagements with key stakeholders from the Chicago region, including with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

There was a particularly strong Galway reference to the delegation through the city’s twinning with Chicago – because also present on the trip was Chairman of the Galway Sisters City Committee and CEO of Galway Bay FM Keith Finnegan, who also broadcast his morning radio programme live three days running from Chicago.

“It really was a very positive, relationship building trip for Shannon but also for the West.  All the business links through 25 years of Galway’s relationship with Chicago were used to make the trip the success it was,” said Keith.

“It was a relentless three day trip, with meetings from early morning to late at night with key stakeholders.  Shannon Group did an excellent job selling the West coast of Ireland.  There was a major emphasis, of course, on access, on getting people in and out of our region.

“Statistics tell us that a very large percentage of people who visit Ireland arrive in the east coast and stay there when there is a unique offering here in the West. Shannon is our local international airport and for the future of tourism and access into the west, it is crucial.  coast and into Shannon is crucial.

“The level of engagement also impressed greatly.  United Airlines, which operates services between Chicago and Shannon, attend two separate events but the Mayor and Deputy Mayor also endorsed the efforts of the Shannon Group to grow trade and tourism between our regions.

“They want traffic going into West of Ireland and they also want traffic coming out of it. These are endorsements at the highest level in Chicago,” he added.

The three-day visit, which concluded at the weekend, saw the Shannon Group promote trade and tourism investment into the West of Ireland, and in particular through the Group’s assets such as Shannon Airport, the Shannon Free Zone and Shannon Heritage.