As North Carolina continues to strengthen its position as a leading destination for business growth and international investment, NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido and Vice President of Government Affairs Jake Cashion recently traveled to Ireland and Northern Ireland to deepen relationships and advance strategic partnerships that benefit North Carolina businesses. 

The visit built on the NC Chamber’s growing international engagement efforts and reinforced the strong connections developing between North Carolina, Ireland, and Northern Ireland through business, trade, innovation, and economic development. 

Businesses and stakeholders interested in staying engaged with the work of the International Commerce Division, and receiving updates on international opportunities are encouraged to complete our brief survey here. 

Building Connections in Dublin 

The trip began aboard the new Aer Lingus nonstop flight connecting Raleigh and Dublin, a route the NC Chamber helped secure through advocacy and engagement efforts. Upon arrival, Gary and Jake met with Aer Lingus leadership. 

Jake and Gary also met with leaders from Manna Drone Delivery, an innovative technology company that delivers food and drink via drones.  The company is exploring growth opportunities in the United States, including North Carolina.  

Additional meetings included a discussion with Mary Rose Burke, President and CEO of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, where leaders exchanged ideas on shared economic opportunities and challenges facing both regions and highlighted the upcoming Aer Lingus College Football Classic featuring the University of North Carolina and Texas Christian University in Dublin. 

The visit to Dublin concluded with meetings at the U.S. Embassy, where conversation centered on ways North Carolina companies can leverage opportunities in Ireland and strengthen international business relationships. 

Strengthening Our Relationship in Northern Ireland 

The delegation then traveled to Belfast, where they met with Suzanne Wylie, President and CEO of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for a podcast conversation focused on the growing partnership between North Carolina and Northern Ireland. Stay tuned for the podcast release!  

The discussion highlighted how collaboration between the two regions is already creating value for businesses and explored opportunities to expand engagement in areas including trade, innovation, economic development, and workforce growth. 

While in Northern Ireland, Gary and Jake met with leadership from Galgorm Resort and toured Denroy, a globally recognized manufacturer of engineered polymer components. Discussions focused on the company’s presence in U.S. defense manufacturing and its interest in North Carolina’s First in Defense initiative. 

Sharing North Carolina’s Growth Story 

Gary and Jake also spoke at meeting of the Board of Directors of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss the future of the NC Chamber’s relationship with NI Chamber and to participate in the organization’s “Competing to Win” event. 

The conversations focused on North Carolina’s continued economic success and the factors driving growth across the state, including infrastructure investment, innovation, workforce development, cybersecurity, housing, trade, and long-term competitiveness. 

The exchange provided an opportunity for leaders from both regions to share lessons learned, while identifying areas where North Carolina and Northern Ireland can continue learning from one another. 

Throughout the visit, leaders repeatedly referenced the NC Chamber’s guiding motto, “If not us, if not you, then who?” This phrase resonated strongly with NI Chamber leaders and has become a symbol of the collaborative spirit driving the relationship forward. 

Looking Ahead 

The visit concluded with a meeting with a company actively evaluating North Carolina for a future North American headquarters expansion, emphasizing the practical economic development opportunities that emerge from strong international relationships. 

From aviation and advanced manufacturing to technology, trade, and investment, the trip reinforced the value of sustained engagement with international partners and highlighted the growing opportunities for collaboration between North Carolina and Northern Ireland. 

The NC Chamber looks forward to building on this momentum through future International Commerce Division engagements, business delegations, and continued collaboration with international partners.