IrelandWeek Set to Bring Ireland's Creativity and Innovation to the World

Inaugural IrelandWeek to be hosted in Los Angeles October 16-21, 2017
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announces IrelandWeek

IrelandWeek (www.IrelandWeek.com) is proud to announce the inaugural week-long conference and culture festivities from Oct. 16-21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.  In association with Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, The Irish Film Board, Culture Ireland, Creative Ireland, IDA Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, IrelandWeek’s focus is to bring Ireland to the world, and the world back to Ireland. Sponsors of the week include Aer Lingus, The Ireland Funds, The California Irish Legislative Caucus. Supporters of the project include Music From Ireland, Bord Bia, the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, The City of Los Angeles and many more. The official media partner of Ireland Week is Irish Times Abroad.

Launched by Irish Prime Minister (An Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar, along with the Deputy Prime Minister (An Tánaiste) Frances Fitzgerald and performer Panti Bliss, IrelandWeek will be a unique blend of conference styled breakout opportunities to learn about the international trade benefits of Ireland as well as live entertainment events that share the global talent of the Irish people. The week will see varied and compelling events with a full and comprehensive program rolling out around Los Angeles, encompassing the myriad of cultural layers that make up Ireland, past, present, and future. 

"The Irish Government is very happy to lend support to Ireland Week and the Connect 353 conference in Los Angeles this October. There is significant potential for growing trade & economic links between Ireland and Los Angeles. This initiative will help our agencies to promote Ireland as an attractive location for trade and investment. The strong focus throughout the program on culture and tourism is particularly welcome given that Ireland and LA are now benefitting from increased direct connectivity."

Leo Varadkar, Prime Minister (Taoiseach)

CONNECT353, the conference component of IrelandWeek, will take place Oct. 18 and 19 at LA Live Regal Theater and will have a series of panel discussions and keynote speeches ranging from film, TV, animation, technology, gaming, music, culture, arts, tourism, Brexit and the Silicon Docks Story. The rest of the week will host a series of events featuring arts and culture from Ireland such as famed drag queen & host Panti Bliss, Golden Globe-nominated Brian Byrne will present Goldenhair Live featuring special guests and Irish celebrity chef Donal Skehan.

Ireland has a thriving, highly globalized economy with a pro-business attitude enables companies to set up swiftly, with minimum red tape, in a connected environment. Ireland shipped US$128.1 billion worth of goods around the globe in 2016. From a continental perspective, 56.8% of Irish exports by value are delivered to other European countries while 27.9% are sold to North American importers. Ireland ships another 11.5% to Asian customers while 1.1% goes to customers in Africa. Leading industries are pharmaceuticals, organic chemicals, medical equipment, electrical machinery and cosmetics.  Over this extraordinary level of product export, is the export of services and intellectual, creative talent.

With enhanced connectivity between Los Angeles and Dublin, IrelandWeek aims to capitalize by creating a two-way international superhighway.  Ireland displays its talents abroad while encouraging inward investment, tourism, jobs and cultural awareness.

Aer Lingus offers non-stop flights from Dublin to Los Angeles and has provided discount code IRLLAX17 for people traveling to Los Angeles from Ireland to IrelandWeek.

To get tickets and updates on events please go to www.IrelandWeek.com 

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ABOUT THE O’NEILL GROUP

The O'Neill Group Inc. (ONG) is a full service Conference, Event and Meeting management company specializing in producing high quality world class events for corporations and nonprofits both in the US and internationally with a particular emphasis on Ireland operating since 1999.  For more information please visit www.the-oneillgroup.com  

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade focuses on serving the Irish public, both at home and abroad. We provide a range of services to Irish citizens and work hard to ensure the promotion and protection of Ireland’s interests in the world, contributing to international priorities such as peace, security and the eradication of poverty and hunger. For more information please visit www.dfa.ie

ABOUT THE IRISH FILM BOARD

The role of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) is the national development agency for Irish filmmaking and the Irish film, television and animation industry, investing in talent, creativity and enterprise. The agency supports writers, directors and production companies across these sectors by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects. For more information please visit www.irishfilmboard.ie    

ABOUT CULTURE IRELAND

Culture Ireland promotes Irish arts worldwide. We create and support opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. We develop platforms to present outstanding Irish work to international audiences, through showcases at key global arts events, including the Edinburgh Festivals and the Venice Biennales.  For more information please visit www.cultureireland.ie   

ABOUT CREATIVE IRELAND

Creative Ireland is a culture-based programme designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. The core proposition is that participation in cultural activity drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement. For more information please visit https://creative.ireland.ie   

ABOUT IDA IRELAND

Ireland's inward investment promotion agency, the IDA, is a non-commercial, semi-state body promoting Foreign Direct Investment into Ireland through a wide range of services. We partner with potential and existing investors to help them establish or expand their operations in Ireland.  For more information please visit www.idaireland.com  

ABOUT TOURISM IRELAND

Tourism Ireland is responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a holiday and business tourism destination.  We deliver world class marketing programmes in 23 markets across the world and reach a global audience up to 600 million each year. Targeted marketing activity includes advertising online, on TV and outdoor sites, in cinemas and in newspapers and magazines, eMarketing, overseas publicity, co-operative marketing with carriers and other partners and promotions to the travel trade and consumers.  For more information please visit www.tourismireland.com  

ABOUT ENTERPRISE IRELAND

Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. We work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. In this way, we support sustainable economic growth, regional development and secure employment. You can find detailed information on Enterprise Ireland's activities, strategy and performance in our Reports and Publications.  For more information please visit www.enterprise-ireland.com    

ABOUT MUSIC FROM IRELAND

Music From Ireland is the Irish music export office run by First Music Contact in partnership with Culture Ireland which funds and presents the Irish showcases at large international music conferences.  For more information please visit www.musicfromireland.org  

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Source: IrelandWeek