February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Harry Keaney
There’s good news for investors in the Irish healthcare company Elan Corporation.
Elan’s chairman and chief executive, Donal Geaney, speaking at the company’s annual general meeting in Dublin Castle last Friday, said annual turnover will rise to $1 billion by the year’s end. He added that in the third quarter, Elan would apply to have its Alzheimers compound submitted for initial human trials. He said there was a $100 billion market in the U.S. for an Alzheimers treatment.
Ennis seeks ambassadors
Are you a high achiever who has a special affinity for County Clare or, perhaps, even Ennis in particular?
Ennis Tourism, a 5-year-old tourism development partnership of hotel, leisure and other private interests, in cooperation with Shannon Development and Ennis urban district council, is bringing its drive for tourism growth directly to the American market this weekend with a novel campaign to enlist Ennis "ambassadors," or "honorary overseas presidents," throughout the U.S.
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This Friday, Ennis Tourism Chief Executive Candace Ingram and board member Dominic Considine arrive in the U.S. on a 10-day mission to launch the campaign in New York, New Jersey and Boston. To extend the initiative throughout the U.S., Ennis Tourism is seeking local help in nominating other suitable candidates for the honorary overseas president positions.
Ambassadors should be leaders in the world of commerce, politics, academia or the arts who "have a genuine interest in Ennis and County Clare," according to Ingram.
The chairman of Ennis tourism development board, Michael Fitzpatrick, said that Ennis’ international folk music center will establish Ennis as "the capital of traditional and folk music in the country" and will put the town on the world map for cultural tourism, which is one of the growth areas in world tourism as well as one of the top three reasons for visitors coming to Ireland.
The names of Ennis ambassadors will be inscribed on a public roll of honor in Ennis. They will receive a parchment confirming their status, as well as a locally handcrafted coat of arms of Ennis Tourism, a suite of headed stationery, a bound volume of the history of Clare, an executive tie or scarf, a leather-bound folder, and a privilege card making the ambassadors special guests when they visit Ennis.
Details, call Ingram at 011-353-65-20166 or Michael Fitzpatrick at 011-353-61-361118.
IBO trade show
On this Wednesday evening, the roar of the Celtic Tigress will be loud and clear in New York when the Irish Business Organization hosts its fourth annual trade show. This year’s show celebrates Irish and Irish American women in business.
The event, at the 200 Fifth Avenue Club in the International Toy Center, starts at 4 p.m.
New York State’s lieutenant governor, Mary Donohue, will be the keynote speaker.
A black and white photo exhibition, entitled "A Prayer for My Daughter," will feature a time-line of milestones in Irish women’s work history in the U.S.
Also a panel discussion, "The Celtic Tigress," will profile remarkable Irish and Irish American businesswomen.
The Irish Echo Newspaper will be among those having a booth at the trade show.
Ireland among the best
Ireland, Britain and Germany have the most favorable business climates in Western Europe, according to a new survey of senior level U.S. and European corporate executives. The survey was released in Brussels, Belgium, last week by Development Counselors International, a New York firm.
Asked what criteria was used in the survey, Andy Levine of DCI said the 427 business executives who responded all had their own criteria in making their choices.
The respondents named Greece, France and Italy as among the countries having the least favorable business climates.
The UK was cited by 66 percent of the executives as having the most favorable business climate in Europe. Next was Ireland with 48 percent and Germany with 36 percent. Spain and the Netherlands rounded out the top five.
Details of the report, call DCI at (212) 725-0707 or e-mail alevine@dc-intl.com.
Buying in Oklahoma
Irish engineering group Unidare is to buy Oklahoma Rig & Supply Co., a wholesaler serving the industrial and oil field supplies distributors, for $35 million. Unidare recently warned that its second-half profits will not be up to expectations. Its first-half pre-tax profits showed an 18 percent drop to £3.04 million.
Travel tip
What CIE Tours International describes as "mature travelers" may save $110 per couple this summer on more than 40 escorted vacations departures to Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales by participating in the "55 & Smiling" discount program. Details, call a travel agent, (800) CIE-TOUR or log onto www.cietours.com.