Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will be one of the keynote speakers when the local economic impact of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union will come under the microscope when the 2016 Northern Ireland Economic Conference comes to Derry next month.
Derry City and Strabane District Council are the chief sponsors of the Agenda NI hosted conference, widely regarded as the biggest economic analysis event on the local business calendar, where the performance and future of the regional and all island economy will be discussed at length.
The high profile line up of speakers for the event, being held in the City Hotel on Wednesday, 19 October, will also include Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Financial Times Economics Editor Chris Giles.
The Council’s Head of Business Kevin O’Connor is encouraging local business leaders to take advantage of a major economic summit on their doorstep.
“This is the first time in the 21 year history of the conference that it has come to the city and district and it represents a genuine coup for the local economy,” he said.
“It comes at a pivotal period for the North West region given our unique border location and Northern Ireland’s impending exit from the EU.
“The conference represents a ‘one stop shop’ for local business delegates to learn more about the economic challenges they face while also offering ample networking opportunities with key decision makers from the public and private sector.”
BBC Northern Ireland’s Economics and Business Editor John Campbell will chair the conference at Council Chief Executive John Kelpie will discuss ways to grow the local economy in the morning session.
Before lunch, the impact of key economic drivers will be discussed along with a workshop to explore the value of skills development before an afternoon session examines the future of the regional and all island economy.
Limited delegate places remain available for the conference.
Registration and pricing information as well as a full programme is available at www.agendani.com/events.
Pictured at the launch of the conference were, from left, Leo Murphy, North West College, Stephen Gillespie, Director of Business and Culture Derry City and Strabane District Council, John Kelpie, Chief Executive Derry City and Strabane District Council, Brian McGrath, Londonderry Port, Damien Gallagher, Seagate, Martin McGuinness MLA, Deputy First Minister, Hilary McClintock, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council and Lynda Millar, AgendaNI.
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