The Ireland visit followed Sanders’ attendance at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, with additional trade mission activities in Belgium also planned.
During the trip, Sanders met with Irish government officials, including “Taoiseach” Micheál Martin, a title bestowed to Ireland’s head of government, as well as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh. She also met with Ireland Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee, Minister of Enterprise Peter Burke and Chair of the Senate of Ireland Mark Daly.
Members of the Arkansas delegation included Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald, Arkansas Economic Development Commission Executive Director Clint O’Neal, Chief of Staff Gretchen Conger and Deputy Chief of Staff Judd Deere.
As part of the visit, Sanders toured the Kerry Global Innovation Center in Naas, where she met with company leaders and viewed demonstrations of the company’s food and beverage technology. She also visited the Kingspan IKON Innovation Centre, where she met with Kingspan Group Chief Executive Officer Gene Murtaugh to discuss the company’s operations.
The Arkansas delegation also participated in an American Chamber of Commerce Ireland roundtable with representatives from a number of international companies. The discussion focused on strengthening economic ties between Arkansas and Ireland while promoting the state as a destination for international investment.
Companies represented during the roundtable included Kerry Group, Glanbia, Jacobs Engineering, Smurfit Westrock, University College Dublin, James Hardie Industries, Trane Technologies, ServiceNow, Johnson Controls, Collins Aerospace and Stripe, among others.
During the roundtable, McDonald presented information highlighting Arkansas’ business climate and economic development opportunities available to companies considering investment in the state.
According to the governor’s office, the Ireland trade mission is part of the Sanders administration’s broader effort to recruit international companies, expand investment opportunities and strengthen Arkansas’ position in the global marketplace.