News

WTC Savannah Hosts Delegation from Ireland

Apr 26, 2017

SAVANNAH, GA, USA – On April 3, World Trade Center Savannah (WTCSav) in partnership with Georgia Power, welcomed a delegation from Ireland that included members of the Wexford County Council, the Wexford Chamber of Commerce, the John F. Kennedy Trust and Enterprise Ireland. The event, which coincided with the Savannah Music Festival, served as an opportunity to highlight the assets and business opportunities that exist in the Coastal Georgia region. 

Ireland and Savannah share more than just strong trade relations, they also have a deep history with one another. Dr. Howard Keeley, Director of the Center for Irish Research and Teaching at Georgia Southern University, explained to the delegation that perhaps the largest percentage of Savannah’s ancestry were immigrants from Wexford County. Dr. Keeley and his team of students have uncovered a trove of documents detailing the rich, economic and personal connections between Savannah and Wexford. One letter highlighted in their research was published in a Wexford newspaper in 1853 and offered a personal account of a visit to Savannah. The letter stated, “…labour of every kind is in better demand at much higher wages than are usually obtainable at New York.” The letter goes on to state, “This is the finest city I was ever in.” 

This sentiment lives on today as many local economic development authorities stepped in to showcase the benefits and opportunities of the region, detailing the accessibility, talent, reasonable cost of doing business, and the many industries and businesses already flourishing in Georgia’s trade climate. The delegation visited the internationally renowned university for creative careers, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Savannah College of Art and Design offers more degree programs and specializations than any other art and design university. Delegates also visited the Georgia Ports Authority, home to the Port of Savannah, the fourth largest and fastest-growing container port in North America. In addition, business-to-business matchmaking meetings were arranged for the participating delegates, as well as networking opportunities, allowing small and mid-sized businesses in Coastal Georgia to make lasting connections with the delegation. 

World Trade Center Savannah now begins work to partner with a business organization within a WTCSav target country to build a high quality business delegation for the 2018 Savannah Gateway Regional Showcase event and beyond. If your WTC is interested in partnership please contact us.

For additional information, please contact Kathleen Henry, Manager of Research and Trade Development at WTCSav, at khenry@wtcsavannah.org.

Pictured above (from left to right): Eamonn Hore, Brenda Kavanagh, Jason Coley, Justin Farquhar, Lourde Connick, Brynn Grant