From May 4th to 7th, IATA organized and led the first coordinated inbound Irish business delegation to Alberta. Five senior Irish business leaders arrived in Calgary for an intensive week of government engagement, sector roundtables, bilateral meetings and site visits.

Alberta and Ireland are both outperforming expectations in 2026

Alberta and Ireland occupy different corners of the global aerospace and defence ecosystem — but the gap between them is closing fast, and the opportunity in the middle is larger than most decision-makers have recognized.

Alberta and Ireland are both outperforming expectations in 2026

In 2026, the Alberta–Ireland trade relationship enters a pivotal phase, marked by high-level visits, business delegations and new engagement opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic. From the launch of the Beyond Barriers report to upcoming inbound and outbound missions, this year signals growing momentum — and meaningful opportunities — for companies, investors and sector leaders looking to deepen connections between Alberta and Ireland.

It was a full and productive week in Dublin for the Ireland–Alberta Trade Association, marked by meetings, events and conversations that underscored the deepening relationship between Ireland and Alberta across multiple sectors. From technology and education to clean energy and agri-food, discussions throughout the week revealed a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and partnership. While the schedule included formal meetings, it also extended to major networking