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MARCH 2012

SHANNON DEVELOPMENT TARGETS NORTH AMERICAN INVESTMENT

Shannon Development, in association with the North American Advisory Council (NAAC), recently held a number of influential networking events and one-to-one business meetings in New York targeted at securing North American investment in the Shannon Region.

A US based advisory group, the NAAC was initiated by Shannon Development in 2009 to assist the Company leverage more strategic investment for business and tourism in the Region. The group is comprised of high profile business people with Irish connections who have pledged to act as business ambassadors.

Speaking about the significance of the US promotional programme and the importance of the NAAC, Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development said: “Shannon Development are very grateful for the support and advice of the NAAC. Tourism continues to be one of the key economic drivers in the Shannon Region, employing more than 25,000 people in over 1,000 tourism businesses and attracting over 1.8 million visitors in 2011. One of the primary purposes of the U.S. visit was to promote the new Shannon Region Airline Route Support Fund, which will assist Shannon Airport compete more effectively for international air connectivity, and to stimulate demand for Shannon Airport routes for the benefit of both inbound tourism and businesses in the Region.”

“In addition, Shannon Development is seeking expressions of interest for a major new international visitor attraction on its 120 acre site next to the world famous Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in Co. Clare. Research carried out by Shannon Development identified a number of possible suitable projects for the site, among them a diaspora visitor centre and genealogy centre, and themed family adventure park. Having successfully developed and operated the existing attraction at Bunratty to a high standard over many years, Shannon Development believes that a significant opportunity exists to further develop the overall attraction by utilising the adjoining lands to develop complementary and sustainable visitor facilities and attractions, which are in keeping with the authenticity of the existing visitor attraction and surrounding area.”

One of the highlights of the visit was a very successful Shannon Region Information Evening held at the Residence of the Consul General of Ireland in New York and hosted by His Excellency, Mr. Noel Kilkenny. Speakers on the night included Niall O’Dowd, proprietor of the Irish Voice newspaper and Irish Central. com and Chairman of the NAAC; Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development; Paul Mockler, Shannon Development’s Tourism Marketing Executive for North America and Flan Quilligan,Tourism Product Development Manager, Shannon Development.

Speaking about the Shannon Region Information Evening, Flan Quilligan,Tourism Product Development Manager, Shannon Development said:  “Shannon Development was very pleased with the turnout for the event and the level of interest expressed in the 120 acre landbank site at Bunratty. The audience included major theme park operators, attractions developers,  representatives from the financial services and legal sectors, leading public relations firms and philanthropic associations with particular interest in Ireland.”

“Subsequent to the event, Shannon Development is in follow-up discussions with a number of key contacts with a view to securing good quality expressions of interest in developing the Bunratty site. Following consideration of the current situation and the timing of the investment promotional campaign, it has been decided to extend the deadline date for receipt of expressions of interest from end of March 2012 to end of May 2012”, Mr. Quilligan added.

The NAAC organised a second major showcase event at the Irish Consul’s Residence in New York targeted at influential tour operators, incentive agents, conference organisers, travel agents and media.  Speakers at this event included Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, Declan Power, Marketing Manager, Shannon Airport, Declan Kelly, Senior VP GECAS and NAAC member, and Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland.

Paul Mockler, Shannon Development’s Tourism Marketing Executive for North America said: “It was a significant coup for Shannon Development that a leading Irish American, Niall O’Dowd, agreed to become Chair of the NAAC. The calibre and expertise of all NAAC members has helped to focus the minds of American business leaders and tourists strongly on the Shannon Region. US Tour Operators and visitors want to use Shannon Airport as an access point into Ireland. It is vital that Shannon Development and the team at Shannon Airport continue to work closely together to enhance transatlantic services at the Airport.”

 March 2012