I’ve often said that on a calendar full of networking events, the IABCN’s annual Ambassador Awards stands out. As close to clockwork as we can get in our busy lives, this event, which seems to get bigger each year, is always a welcome start to the St. Patrick’s season.
The venue is beautiful, the awardees are admirable, and no one is ever disappointed to hear from Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason. However, this event certainly isn’t the only one that combines those ingredients, so there has to be something more that truly sets it apart.
As I maneuvered through Friday afternoon Philadelphia traffic following this year’s successful celebration, I thought about what it was that really makes the event special. I began replaying some of the conversations I had, considering who I would be following up with in the near term to make sure that, as IABCN President Lisa Maloney so eloquently put it, “conversations become connections.”
It didn’t take long to realize that what truly sets the Ambassador Awards apart is the people. Not just who is in the room, but how seriously everyone in attendance takes the opportunity to genuinely get to know one another. In a crowd that I would guess numbered at least 500, this is no easy task, yet year after year, the IABCN manages to make it happen.
Before I even walked through the doors of the Union League, I bumped into Kevin Malecek, someone I’ve been proud to get to know through our shared efforts to attract economic development to our respective states. It is not uncommon for me to walk into a room in Ireland to speak with entrepreneurs and other stakeholders and hear that Kevin had just been by for a visit, or vice versa. Some have referred to him as “competition,” but I think of him as a friend and someone whose work ethic I greatly admire.
Seeing Kevin also reflected how much the IABCN’s reputation has grown. People now travel in from across the country to attend, from Ohio in Kevin’s case, or from Michigan in Joseph McGill’s case. Of course, Brian McGlinchey and Megan McGlinchey also made the drive up from Delaware.
Colin Deering recognized me immediately from photos online, which meant I finally got to put a face to the name of someone I had previously only met virtually. It was great to have a more in-depth conversation about his efforts, with the help of Paul Maguire and Liz Maguire, to grow into the U.S. market.
Within seconds of walking into the reception, Sean Flatley offered a warm greeting, with John O’Malley’s own welcome just moments behind. Together, along with other IABCN leaders like Kevin Kent and Edel Howlin, each had responsibilities welcoming the many guests who came through the doors. Yet all of them still took the time to ensure that new relationships were being formed. As always, behind it all is the incomparable Alanna Barry.
It was also a great pleasure to see the smile of Ann Doherty. Her leadership in my “other” home of Cork has helped lead an incredible transformation of a great city, and now, in her role at the Port of Cork, that important part of the region’s economic engine is humming like never before. It was wonderful to see her and to meet her colleague Brian Dooley.
I’m also grateful to Tom Griffith for extending the invitation to attend this year and to be a guest of lunch sponsors Liebherr. Many thanks as well to John Lavin and Ray Cronin for hosting me at their table. Domhnall Sheehy was proudly waving Net Feasa’s flag.
Team Ireland was out in force, as they always are. The work of the IDA, represented by David Jones and Karen Healy, and Enterprise Ireland, with both Aidan McKenna and Kevin Ryan present, is a big part of the reason Ireland continues to punch above its weight when it comes to attracting foreign direct investment and growing indigenous companies into overseas markets. I watch what they do with great respect.
Tourism is also such a vital part of Ireland’s economy, and while I didn’t get the chance to say hello, I know I spotted Tourism Ireland’s Alison Metcalfe in the room.
I could go on and on, sharing interactions with people like the great Noel Fleming and his colleague Kayce Petenko. But I’ll leave it there, and instead look forward to hearing the full review of the lunch on John Lee’s Irish Stew Podcast.
