THE CHIEF content officer of one of the largest media companies in the US said he had much listening and learning to do at an event held in Limerick this week.
A special Forbes Under 30 Forum was held this week in Limerick’s Strand Hotel, outcome of a controversial 2021 article, since withdrawn, which referenced Limerick as “Stab City”.
The Forbes Under 30 Forum, which had previously been postponed on account of the Covid-19 pandemic, was widely welcomed in the city, and attended by local entrepreneurs, business students, and Forbes 30 Under 30 honourees.
Held in The Strand Hotel across this past Monday, the event was a collaboration between Forbes and Limerick City and County Council.
Speaking ahead of the forum, Forbes Chief Content Officer Randall Lane said he was looking forward to sharing the story of Limerick’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem with Forbes’ global audience.
“The local leadership here spoke up, the people of Limerick spoke up, and we realised that the story did not meet our standards. We thought maybe we should apologise but those are just words and what really matters is action, so we made a promise that Forbes would come to Limerick,” Mr Lane said.
“It was a chance to write a new ending of the story together. I’m very excited to spend the rest of today listening, learning, and then sharing,” he said.
The forum saw a panel discussion, featuring University of Limerick’s Professor of Economics Stephen Kinsella, discuss Ireland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as innovation and opportunity in Ireland, and the country’s finance and investment landscape.
Welcoming the long-awaited event, Mayor Francis Foley said that Forbes had “made good” on their commitments to Limerick and “delivered an exceptionally positive event”.
“The Forbes Under 30 Forum shone an international spotlight on Irish innovation while also showcasing Limerick’s thriving business landscape. Limerick has a rich heritage, a vibrant city, and a rich pool of talented young people. It is a city and county that we can all be proud of.”
Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly, added: “In Limerick, we are a city fuelled by a unique kind of energy that stems from our thriving business landscape and the dedication of our young and talented professionals.”
“These individuals are not merely shaping the future of industry in Ireland, they are also creating a positive international spotlight that shines upon our beloved Limerick.
“Our vibrant economy thrives across a diverse range of sectors. Limerick presents itself as an attractive opportunity for businesses, providing a high standard of living at a relatively low cost compared to other major Irish cities,” Dr Daly concluded.
