Regina Walsh (Bank of Ireland); Gavin Kennedy (Bank of Ireland UK); Sandra Scannell (NI Chamber) and John Hurley (Dublin Airport).

Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber) and Bank of Ireland UK will host a major cross-border networking event in Belfast later this month.

The event, which is expected to attract 200 businesses from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, also features a keynote speech from John Hurley, Head of B2B, Partner and Channel Marketing at Dublin Airport.

Dublin Airport is the key gateway to the island of Ireland, and a major economic engine supporting an estimated 97,400 jobs and contributing €6.9 billion to GDP. Last year, passenger numbers at Dublin Airport increased by 11 per cent to a record 27.9 million, which is more than four times the population of the island. Dublin was the fastest-growing major airport in Europe in 2016.

Commenting on the event, Sandra Scannell, Head of Business Services at NI Chamber, said: “Networking is one of the most important tools available to businesses and comes with a world of opportunity – if you’re prepared to get out there.  The Connecting for Growth cross-border networking event is expected to attract 200 delegates across a range of sectors from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and provides the perfect platform for cross-border relationships to be built.”

Speaking ahead of his keynote speech at the event, John Hurley, Head of B2B, Partner and Channel Marketing at Dublin Airport said:

“I am delighted to speak at the NI Chamber cross boarder networking event.  Great business is done by simply meeting and engaging with people and this is a fantastic opportunity to connect further with many businesses in the region.  Dublin Airport is the biggest economic engine in the country and Northern Ireland is an important market for us with 1.2 million residents using Dublin Airport in 2015, a 37% increase over the previous year.  We hope to grow that figure further as new routes and frequencies are added to our network together with the many unique services Dublin has to offer.”

The event part of NI Chamber’s Connecting for Growth programme, in partnership with Bank of Ireland UK, which is designed to facilitate increased business between companies from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Commenting on the Connecting for Growth initiative, Gavin Kennedy, Head of Business Banking NI at Bank of Ireland UK, said:

“With £5bn in all island cross border trade of goods and services Bank of Ireland UK believes its partnership with the chamber to deliver the Connecting for Growth programme is pivotal in building awareness, confidence and support for local businesses to achieve their growth ambition through expansion and diversification into non domestic markets.”

The event takes place on 15 March 2017 from 8.30am until noon at Titanic Belfast.

Businesses can register to attend at www.northernirelandchamber.com

The cross-border event  is one of eight elements that form part of NI Chamber’s new ‘Learn Grow Excel’ initiative – a dynamic and powerful new suite of business support initiatives led and resourced by the private sector.

Supported by its SME Partner Power NI, NI Chamber’s new range of services recognises the commitment from the private sector to assist local companies to scale-up and maximise business growth and export opportunities.