What an amazing experience the Nato Summit has been for Wales and Newport in particular.

It has provided a terrific chance for us to take a turn on the world stage and didn’t we do well? Even the weather was on our side.

I will always remember some of the memorable snapshots of Newport and Wales which will become associated with the summit - Cardiff Castle looking resplendent in the splendid shot of world leaders all standing in front of the Norman keep with the First Minister, Secretary of State for Wales and Prime Minister all present.

The President’s visit to Mount Pleasant Primary School in Rogerstone is another snapshot and will forever stand out as a highlight for those lucky children, I’m sure.

It was also great to hear about our world leaders' debating challenges around the table at the impressive Celtic Manor, of course.

Newport really put its best foot forward and the security services over the two days and in the days leading up to the big event were exemplary and did an amazing job throughout – I’ll always remember that as a big part of the momentous occasion too.

I’ll personally never forget the opportunity to attend a reception held by the Prince of Wales in a marquee with a 7-iron’s range of The Celtic Manor’s Twenty Ten Clubhouse.

The mayors of Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Cardiff were all present and it was like being live at Madame Tussauds with all the recognisable faces there and the opportunity to meet heads of state and cabinet ministers from both Westminster and Wales as well as cabinet ministers from the rest of the world.

One of the most memorable experiences of that event for me was the chance to say speak to and to shake the hand of Mr President.

It was certainly an evening I will never forget and I’m sure that the delegates will remember fondly their time here and will encourage their compatriots to visit Wales and businesses to invest here. The summit was our chance to shine and I think we dazzled.