AmCham’s West-North-West Conference and Dinner
Sponsored by:
Panel
Discussions
Panel One
Driving competitiveness to deliver investment and growth
This panel will explore how Ireland can strengthen its position as a leading destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), with a particular focus on unlocking further investment and growth in the West-North-West region.
Panellists will discuss the factors shaping investment decisions and the conditions needed to support the next wave of growth, including continued investment in infrastructure, targeted incentives, talent and capacity building. The discussion will also consider the opportunities presented by Budget 2027 and the role of Ireland's competitiveness agenda in creating the right environment for businesses to invest, expand and grow.
Ireland's regions continue to play a significant role in the country's FDI success. In 2024, 480 US multinationals were operating across Ireland's regions, spending €21 billion on payroll, capital expenditure, and goods and services.
AmCham's most recent FDI Insights Survey further highlights the opportunity to build on this success, with 70% of respondents reporting that their corporate headquarters plan to continue investing in Ireland over the next five years.
Panel Two
Leveraging AI and digital to deliver the next wave of FDI
AI, digitalisation and emerging technologies are reshaping how businesses operate, invest and grow. Ensuring Ireland has the skills, infrastructure and innovation ecosystem needed to enable their development and adoption will be critical to maintaining Ireland's position as a destination of choice for foreign direct investment (FDI).
AmCham's latest FDI Insights Survey found that 50% of respondents identified AI and emerging technologies as the greatest business opportunity for their organisation over the next five years.
For the West-North-West, with its strong clusters in MedTech, life sciences and advanced manufacturing, the adoption and scaling of new technologies presents a significant opportunity to strengthen the region's proposition for future investment.
This panel will explore how businesses are embracing AI and digital transformation, the barriers to greater adoption, and the long-term strategies needed to build the skills, infrastructure and innovation ecosystem that will enable companies to develop, adopt and scale new technologies, services and products from Ireland.
Keynote Address
Opportunities for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Maria Walsh MEP for the Midlands–North-West constituency will deliver a keynote address looking ahead to Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the opportunities it presents for Ireland and the wider EU.
Taking place at a pivotal time for Europe's economy, Ireland's Presidency will provide an important opportunity to help shape the EU's agenda and strengthen Europe's competitiveness and attractiveness as a destination for investment.
EU competitiveness is a key priority for AmCham members. In AmCham's most recent FDI Insights Survey, when asked what would represent the most successful outcome of Ireland's EU Presidency for their organisation, 36% of respondents identified greater EU competitiveness and productivity.