Irish American Business Chamber & Network board members, Theresa Flanagan Murtagh (far left) and John McLoughlin (far right), with Lee Ann Maginnis and her husband Jerry Maginnis, former Managing Partner of KPMG’s Philadelphia office and 2018 Taoiseach Award Honoree at the Irish Chamber’s Ambassador’s Award in Philadelphia on February 23.
By Irish Echo Staff
Small business owners are the very heartbeat of Irish American communities right across the U.S., but to date there hasn’t been a specific event to laud their achievements.
That will be put right in May when the pioneering Irish American Business Chamber and Network of Philadelphia joins forces with the Irish Echo to host the Irish Small Business 50 in the City of Brotherly Love.
Said Irish Echo publisher Connla McCann: "The Irish Small Business 50 will honor the entrepreneurs and business leaders who form the very backbone of the American economy: doers and risk-takers who have ensured that where businesses are being built and wealth created, there you will find the Irish. Our nominees will be individuals who have displayed entrepreneurial can-do to make their enterprises stand out in their field. While representing myriad sectors, they will all share a commitment to business excellence and a pride in their Irish heritage.”
Market Research Partners, the largest Irish-owned business in the Philadelphia Metro area, will headline sponsor the celebratory gala dinner in the prestigious Union League House.
“In this, our 90th year, the Irish Echo wanted to raise our flag in some of the great cities which have been built by the Irish and where Irish Americans still spearhead the local business sector,” added McCann.
“I can think of no better place to raise a glass to Irish American small businesses than in Philadelphia where the Irish influence permeates every strata of commerce.”
As an Irish-owned company, rooted in the Irish-American tradition of relentless endeavor and ambitious enterprise, we are delighted to partner with the Irish Echo’s first event in Philadelphia.
“MRP helps its customers make better predictions about who their next customer is and how to acquire them more efficiently. Through working with companies across the globe, we know all about the challenges facing emerging businesses and how important it is to celebrate those who have gained success in their chosen field” said Kevin Cunningham, MRP’s CEO and co-founder.
CFO, Jack Butler, added: “We are also pleased to be teaming up with the Irish American Business Chamber in this effort.
“The IABCN does tremendous work in connecting the Greater Philadelphia business community with the island of Ireland.
“In addition, both the IABCN and the Irish Echo have been great friends to us over the years and we are proud to join them in honoring this year’s listed companies.”
To find out more about the criteria for the Irish Small Business 50 and to make a nomination, go to www.irishecho.com
