Global Business
Conference 2024
Panel Discussions
FIRESIDE CHAT ONE
The first fireside chat of the conference will feature discussion from Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney TD, AmCham 2024 President and Site Lead at Signify Health Ireland, Elaine Murphy and AmCham 2024 Vice President and Vice President at Google Ireland, Liz Cunningham.
Speakers
PANEL ONE
Ireland's Global Role in Supporting Business & FDI
Ireland has the potential to be a global leader in research and to remain a hotbed of innovation. By supporting the continued growth of MNCs here, ensuring Ireland continues to attract key talent, and by making significant, smart investment and policy decisions, Ireland can be a European champion for research – and the destination of choice within the EU for US MNCs to place integral research functions. This would ensure Ireland plays a critical role in global value chains and takes its place at the heart of the global economy.
Today, Ireland is home to 9 of the top 10 US technology companies, 9 of the top 10 pharma companies, and 14 of the top 15 MedTech companies. There are currently more than 950 US multinationals located in Ireland, employing more than 209,000 people directly and a further 167,000 people indirectly. The presence in Ireland of the EU or EMEA HQs for many US MNCs and of significant functions of US MNCs in digital, pharma, and MedTech signals the commitment of such industries to Ireland’s research and innovation ecosystem.
The recent increase in Ireland’s research and development (R&D) tax credit from 25 per cent to 30 per cent is a clear sign to industry of Ireland’s commitment to becoming a global centre of excellence in research, development and innovation (RD&I).
Speakers
PANEL TWO
The Climate Crisis and Ireland’s place in the global response
There is significant opportunity for Ireland to lead global efforts to address climate change. The Climate Action Plan 2024 provides a roadmap for taking decisive action to halve Ireland’s emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by no later than 2050.
It is important that Ireland’s ambitions acknowledge the capabilities which will come on-stream in the years ahead as we progress on the journey to a carbon neutral, sustainable and greener economy.
Speakers
PANEL THREE
Leading Global Teams from Ireland in a Hybrid World
Hybrid working offers different opportunities for employers in the areas of sustainability and regional development.
In a recent AmCham survey, talent attraction was ranked as the second greatest challenge, behind housing, for Ireland to overcome for their companies to continue to invest and expand in Ireland.
Another recent AmCham Quarterly FDI Insights Survey found that 97 percent of AmCham members gave their non-manufacturing the option to work remotely with 60 percent expecting the number of employees in the Irish operations of your organisation to increase over the next 12 months.
Speakers
Fireside Chat Two
The second fireside chat of the conference will feature a sit down discussion with James O’Connor, Vice President of Microsoft International Operations and Professor Eeva Leinonen President at Maynooth University.
Speakers
PANEL FOUR
Discussion on the Upcoming Elections in the US and Europe
This special segment of AmCham’s Global Business Conference will feature commentary on the upcoming elections in the US and in Europe in 2024 from Irish Times Washington Correspondent Martin Wall and Political Correspondent for RTÉ News Paul Cunningham.
SPEAKERS
PANEL FIVE
Ireland as a global centre for digital and AI excellence
Many US multinationals based in Ireland are engaged in AI research which will help improve insights into what these changes may look like.
A recent survey found that 69 per cent of AmCham members have been experiencing a skills gap in Ireland, with 40 per cent experiencing a skills gap in digital or AI-related fields.
In another AmCham survey 52 percent of respondents said they are currently undertaking one or more research projects in Ireland, with A.I. being the top research area among companies. Some 33 percent of respondents said their organisation is currently engaged in a research project centred around A.I.
SPEAKERS