US network to act as ambassadors

A NEW US-based commercial group has agreed to act as business ambassadors for the mid-west.

Members of the new North American Advisory Council (NAAC) established by Shannon Development, met in Adare yesterday.

The council is a network of successful Irish people in the US with business or family connections to the mid-west.

Dr Vincent Cunnane, chief executive, Shannon Development, said: “We wanted to establish a grouping of highly motivated people who would provide a sounding board for new ideas and initiatives, and assist Shannon Development in peer-to-peer marketing, and create authentic brand connections – both in tourism and industry. The group will act as ambassadors for Ireland and the Shannon region.”

NAAC members include Niall O’Dowd, the proprietor of the Irish Voice newspaper and Irish Central.com; John Fitzpatrick, president of the North American Fitzpatrick Family Hotels Group; Declan Kelly, senior vice-president of sales/marketing at GECAS; Al Nunan, senior vice-president of business banking at Capital One Bank; Michael Brewster, managing director of Private Banking (US Division), Credit Suisse; and Sean O’Sullivan, senior vice-president of Universal McCann.

The first meeting of the advisory council took place in the US last December.

The first Irish-based meeting on the NAAC – held in Adare Manor, in Co Limerick – was attended by industry, tourism and education representatives from around the Shannon region.