Companies are being encouraged to explore opportunities in the US market at a free enterprise event in Derry that will be attended by a delegation from Ohio.

Led by Team NEO in partnership with AwakenHub/AwakenAngels, The Goals Beyond the Pitch event at Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday, September 18, will gives businesses the chance to hear directly from companies who've already made the leap into the US market.

Newly appointed US Consul General to NI Chris Rendo will address the event, which is also being attended by Derry native and Ireland’s Honorary Consul in Ohio, Mark Owens.

Representatives from AwakenHub and AwakenAngels, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Invest Northern Ireland, the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, NWRC, Ulster University and Manufacturing NI will also attend.

The former Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Ruairí McHugh (centre) with City of Mentor (Ohio, USA) delegation and guests in April. Pictured front (L to R), are Malachy O’Neill, Ulster University, Steven Lindsay, president, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, Mark Owens vice-president of marketing Team NEO and Honorary Consul General of Ireland to Ohio, and Clare McGee, CEO of Awaken Hub and Awaken Angels. Back L to R: Philip O’Doherty, founder E&I Engineering, Leo Young, North West Regional College, Kevin Malecek, Director of Economic Trade & International Trade, City of Mentor, and Ken Filipiak, City manager, Mentor, Ohio.

placeholder image — The former Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Ruairí McHugh (centre) with City of Mentor (Ohio, USA) delegation and guests in April. Pictured front (L to R), are Malachy O’Neill, Ulster University, Steven Lindsay, president, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, Mark Owens vice-president of marketing Team NEO and Honorary Consul General of Ireland to Ohio, and Clare McGee, CEO of Awaken Hub and Awaken Angels. Back L to R: Philip O’Doherty, founder E&I Engineering, Leo Young, North West Regional College, Kevin Malecek, Director of Economic Trade & International Trade, City of Mentor, and Ken Filipiak, City manager, Mentor, Ohio.

The US delegation's visit follows the first high-level Ohio trade mission to the city in April, which saw AwakenHub and AwakenAngels’ CEO Clare McGee host meetings between local stakeholders and economic development representatives in the US.

Ms. McGee said: “Through our US trade missions we have been working hard to build relationships with the people and organisations who can provide practical routes into the US market for businesses here. Our engagement with Northeast Ohio grew out of that work, and the first delegation visit to Derry in April gave companies here an opportunity to start making those connections directly.

“This return visit is about continuing that work and opening the opportunity to more businesses across NI. We would encourage any business to come along on Friday if the US is a market they are considering, even if that may be down the line. Our event is an invaluable opportunity to hear from companies with first-hand experience, ask practical questions and meet people on the ground in the US who can help them assess the opportunities for their business.”

Mr. Owens said: "Coming back to Derry with this delegation means picking up exactly where we left off in April, with real conversations and introductions and real momentum. What's happening between Derry and Northeast Ohio shows what's possible when people, not just policies, drive a relationship forward, and that's exactly what businesses will see at Friday's event."

Two panel discussions are planned.

Ms. McGee will moderate The Route to North America: Is the U.S. the Right Market?, featuring Moira Loughran, Head of Exports at Invest NI; Tim Dillon of OS Doors; Jim Nash of Wild Atlantic Distillery; and William McColgan of McColgan Foods.

A second panel, Making the Move: Resources, Relationships & Support, will include Ed Johnston (Partner, Clark Hill), Cormac Diamond (Bloc Blinds), Vicki Finlay (Menopal), Claire Nixon (Adepta Partners), and William McColgan (McColgan Foods), with Mr. Owens, moderating.

The Goals Beyond the Pitch takes place at the Brandywell on Friday, September 18, from 12pm to 2.30pm. Businesses can register at https://luma.com/ucjj7ky1 or email [email protected].

A NW delegation will travel to Ohio from September 26-30.

The visit will include engagements with Cleveland Clinic, the Cleveland Mayor’s Office, the Ohio Ireland Trade Commission, NASA, The Democracy Collaborative and attendance at VC Fest.

Ms. McGee added: “The next stage on our journey to build relationships and active trading between the NW and the US is to bring a local delegation to Ohio, where we will be giving businesses and organisations the opportunity to develop these relationships in-market.”