Goals Beyond The Pitch with Northeast Ohio Mayors & City Managers Delegation

​Get ready for an afternoon of great conversation, good food, and even better connections at Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, as we welcome the Northeast Ohio Mayors Delegation to Derry~Londonderry for Goals Beyond The Pitch. We're kicking things off with lunch at 12, followed by a warm welcome from US Consul General to NI, Chris Rendo, before diving into two panels packed with real talk about doing business across the Atlantic.

​First up, our panel on The Route to North America tackles the big question: is the US the right market for your business? Moira Loughran (Head of Exports, Invest Northern Ireland) joins Tim Dillon (OS Doors), Jim Nash (Wild Atlantic Distillery), and William McColgan (McColgan Foods) for a candid chat about what it actually takes to break into North America, the hurdles companies face along the way, and how economic development partners can help smooth the path. Clare McGee, CEO of AwakenHub/AwakenAngels, will be steering the conversation.

​Then we move into Making the Move: Resources, Relationships & Support, exploring that tricky in-between stage when a company has spotted an opportunity in North America but isn't quite ready to commit. Ed Johnston (Partner, Clark Hill), Cormac Diamond (Bloc Blinds), Vicki Finlay (Menopal), Claire Nixon (Adepta Partners), and William McColgan (McColgan Foods) will share their own experiences and practical advice, with Mark Owens moderating.

​Once the official programme wraps up at 2:30, stick around for some proper networking. This is your chance to work the room, meet key stakeholders and US contacts, pick up where the panel conversations left off, and maybe even spark a few new partnerships of your own. Whether you're actively exploring the North American market or just curious about what it takes, come along, grab a bite, and join the conversation.