MORE THAN 100 senior executives from US companies gather in Co Down this evening for the three-day US-Northern Ireland Investment Conference.
Their names will not be revealed until the welcoming ceremony this evening in Cultra, hosted by Minister for the Economy Nigel Dodds and US ambassador Paula Dobriansky.
A representative from Mr Dodds's department said the names of the US delegates and the 80 or so corporations they represent, in carefully targeted sectors, were being withheld on the grounds of market sensitivity.
Attendance has far exceeded expectations of the Minister's department and Invest Northern Ireland, the development agency.
Mr Dodds said: "When Invest NI first started planning for the conference, we had hoped to attract 30 to 40 senior executives from major US corporations operating in those market sectors where we see the best opportunities for future inward investment."
Of those attending now confirmed, more than 40 will be visiting Northern Ireland for the first time and the rest will be representatives linked to current investments, he added.
The Stormont Executive along with the development agency insist this conference provides an ideal opportunity to showcase "the new Northern Ireland, which is open for business" and which coincides with the first anniversary of the powersharing deal between Sinn Féin and the DUP.
Welcoming members of the US delegation to Belfast last night, First Minister the Rev Ian Paisley said: "Over the next three days . . . I am confident that when we place our many attributes on the table we can make a case that these potential investors will find difficult to resist." He said it was "fitting" that this conference should coincide with the first anniversary of the restoration of devolution.
"I believe that the political progress over the last year can be an example as we seek to achieve an economic transformation which will benefit all our people." Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "As joint leader of the Executive it gives me great pleasure to see this hugely important conference begin. Over the last 12 months we have found that from the White House to Wall Street every door has been opened to us.
"That engagement has already reaped rewards with the likes of the recent announcement of a $150 million (€96,500,000) investment by the New York Comptroller Office. I believe that this conference will prove a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of our society."
Looking to tonight's opening ceremony Mr Dodds said: "Myself and ambassador Dobriansky will host a reception for our visiting delegates, existing investors, Northern Ireland business and the many stakeholders who have a vital role to play in driving our economy to the next level."
Tomorrow morning delegates will hear accounts from established US concerns in Northern Ireland. Confirmed speakers will include: Mike Zafirovski, chief executive of Nortel; Jim Foster of Citi; John Spangler, managing director of Seagate; Brian Goggin, group chief executive of the Bank of Ireland; and Bill Rohner, vice-president of Caterpillar's Electric Power division. Delegates will also hear from Sir Reg Empey on his Department for Employment and Learning's commitment to providing training tailored to employers' needs.
Mr Dodds added: "At lunchtime, the conference will move to [Stormont] Parliament Buildings, where the guests will be hosted by the First and Deputy First Minister.
There, the US delegation will enjoy lunch and listen to speeches by the ministers, as well as Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York and Sir Anthony O'Reilly."
This event will also be attended by Brian Cowen in one of his first engagements since becoming Taoiseach, and by prime minister Gordon Brown.
The visitors and representatives from Northern Ireland business will later move to Hillsborough Castle for a gala dinner, where key dignitaries will address the audience.