Ireland's best Ambassadors are the Irish who are living and working abroad. There are numerous professional diaspora networks that support the Irish abroad and their members provide invaluable advice and support to Irish people who looking to grow their business internationally or get advice about relocating.

Connecting Cork has supported the conferences of two of the biggest international diaspora networks this year, acknowledging the great work that they do in promoting Ireland internationally and helping Irish organisations to grow their global networks. 

The Irish Network USA held their Annual conference in Chicago in September.  Speakers included Ambassador Dan Mulhall, Consul General Brian O'Brien and Senator Billy Lawless, who is the only Irish Senator appointed outside of Ireland. The conference heard some fascinating insights into a new study on today's 'Irish America'.       

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Irish International Business Network (IIBN) global conference was held in Dublin in November on the theme of Connectivity.   Keynote speakers included Minister for Foreign Affairs  and Trade Simon Coveney, Kingsley Aikins (CEO & Founder, Diaspora Matters) and Adrienne Harrington (CEO, Ludgate Hub).  

Both conferences addressed the issue of Brexit, and the challenges that it presents at both a personal and professional level for the global Irish.