Cities stand shoulder-to-shoulder to count cost of pandemic and plan for bright future: New York-New Belfast conference to take place virtually
The first opportunity to take stock of transatlantic relations since the Covid-19 storm hit will come next month at the — virtual — annual New York-New Belfast conference.
A who’s-who of leaders in business, politics and civic life from both cities will line out on June 12 to assess the horrific human cost of the crisis — especially in the Big Apple which has been pummeled by the coronavirus — and take the first tentative steps toward recovery.
Taking the theme of REBUILDING, the online summit will also feature video messages from Belfast ambassadors abroad and uplifting film shorts spotlighting the fightback against Covid-19.
Among those taking part will be New York Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, Michael Dowling, a Limerick native and honorary graduate of Queens University Belfast who is heading up Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Medical Response team, Alison Metcalfe who leads Tourism Ireland in the U.S., the Comptroller of New York State Tom DiNapoli, and Stormont Finance Minister Conor Murphy.
Among business partners at the half-day event will be KPMG, Belfast City Council, Belfast tech company Options, New York fintech firm Cboe Hanweck, Invest NI and the Irish Business Organisation of New York.
While registration is free, delegates are being urged to contribute to two pioneering funds set up to provide immediate support to healthcare workers – the Meitheal project in the greater New York City area and the Options Robin Hood Project.
“This will be our eleventh annual summit but it sure to be like no other,” said Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, director with the event organizers, Aisling Events.
“Irish America and Belfast have been separated by Covid-19 like never before but the work of rebuilding that crucial international bridge to the USA starts now with the New York-New Belfast conference.”
You can see the draft program for the New York-New Belfast Conference and book your place at www.aisling-events.com.
