AmCham’s Southern Conference and Dinner
In Partnership With:
Panel Discussions
Panel One
Driving Competitiveness to Deliver Investment and Growth in the Southern Region
This panel will explore the factors that are shaping investment decisions and the conditions needed to support the next wave of growth in the Southern region.
Panellists will discuss how Ireland can create the right environment for businesses to invest, expand and grow in the region, including through continued investment in infrastructure, targeted incentives, talent and capacity building. The discussion will also consider how Budget 2027 can support the Southern region's competitiveness and future growth.
Ireland's regions continue to play a significant role in the country's FDI success. In 2024, 480 US multinationals were operating across Ireland's regions, spending €21 billion on payroll, capital expenditure and goods and services.
AmCham's most recent FDI Insights Survey further highlights the opportunity to build on this success, with 70% of respondents reporting that their corporate headquarters plan to continue investing in Ireland over the next five years.
Fireside Chat
Opportunities for Ireland’s Southern Region in Budget 2027
In this fireside chat, attendees will hear from Aileen Daly, Partner at EY Ireland, who specialises in international tax advisory services for multinational groups.
Drawing on her expertise, Aileen will explore the opportunities presented by Budget 2027 and how Government policy can strengthen Ireland's competitiveness as a location for business, investment and talent, with a particular focus on how Budget 2027 can support investment and growth in the Southern region.
In its Budget 2027 Submission, AmCham identified six key priorities to strengthen Ireland's competitiveness, including the delivery of critical infrastructure, measures to address energy and housing challenges, investment in digital infrastructure and RD&I, talent development and targeted tax measures. These priorities are critical to supporting investment and growth nationally and across the Southern region.
Alongside these national priorities, AmCham has identified region-specific infrastructure projects that can further strengthen the Southern region's investment proposition, including the Cork Commuter Rail Programme, M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy motorway, Cork Northern Distributor Road and Luas Cork, as well as delivery on the commitment to relocate the Port of Cork to Ringaskiddy.
Panel Two
Leveraging AI and Digital to Deliver the Next Wave of FDI in the Southern Region
This panel will explore how businesses across the Southern region are embracing AI and digital transformation and how the adoption and scaling of emerging technologies can strengthen the region's proposition for the next wave of FDI.
AmCham's latest FDI Insights Survey found that 50% of respondents identified AI and emerging technologies as the greatest business opportunity for their organisation over the next five years.
With strong clusters in pharmaceuticals, medical technology, cybersecurity and renewable energy, the Southern region is well positioned to harness the adoption and scaling of new technologies to support future growth and investment.
Panellists will examine the barriers to greater adoption and the long-term strategies needed to build the skills, infrastructure and innovation ecosystem that enables companies to develop, adopt and scale new technologies, services and products from Ireland.
Corporate and Commercial Partner, RDJ