Cork Businesses Go International at Local Enterprise Showcase

Client companies from Local Enterprise Offices in Cork City, South Cork and Cork North & West took part in the Local Enterprise Showcase as part of Showcase 2019 at the RDS in Dublin this week where they got the opportunity to meet buyers from all over the world.

LEO Cork City client, Alex Chernenko of Kauza.  www.kauzadecor.com exhibited at the Local Enterprise Showcase which took place from Sunday 20th to Wednesday 23rd January.  One of Kauza’s products – a light box – was selected for the display at the Home & Gift Edit.

The Local Enterprise Showcase was opened on Sunday by Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation who met many of the businesses involved at the event.  Minster Humphreys T.D., said; “The quality of the work on display at Showcase is a testament to the vibrancy and diversity of the design and craft sector which makes an immense contribution to Ireland’s economy and culture and provides vital sustainable jobs in every region of the country. Export diversification is essential for the design and crafts sectors to build resilience. This annual fair offers ambitious Irish designers and makers eager to break into the export market or expand their existing international presence an unparalleled opportunity to connect with buyers from around the world and secure orders for the coming year, maximising the potential for future growth and job creation. I wish both exhibitors and buyers a very productive show and every success throughout 2019.

Designers and makers of home / gift / crafts represented Cork LEOs following an application and selection process.  By exhibiting at Local Enterprise Showcase, these businesses had to opportunity to meet over 2,500 buyer companies from 26 countries across the world.  The businesses worked closely with the Cork LEOs ahead of the event on selling techniques, stand preparation and marketing themselves at the event.     

Head of Enterprise at LEO Cork City “The Local Enterprise Showcase is a unique opportunity for our clients to expand their businesses.  An event like this can help set a company up for a year with the right sales and can also help them expand into new markets.  We work very closely with our businesses to ensure there are well prepared for Local Enterprise Showcase to ensure they make the most of this opportunity.  The design and crafts sector is something that is inherently Irish and we work very hard to ensure we provide the support that is needed to all our clients in that area, whether it’s mentoring, business planning, financial assistance or export planning, we have the expertise to help them grow.”

Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland, said: “Showcase is central to the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s strategy of supporting client companies in the domestic market and building the international reputation and commercial potential of the Irish design and craft sector. Each year the show provides a unique platform for hundreds of designers and makers from across Ireland to meet and do business with domestic and international buyers, enabling them to potentially grow and scale up to extend their market reach. We are delighted to work in partnership with the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices in supporting and guiding client companies in their commercial development. Working together, our aim is to ensure our clients continue to grow, innovate and successfully compete at home and abroad and to support them in addressing the challenges and opportunities arising from Brexit while uncertainty continues in the marketplace.”

As part of the Showcase Best Products Awards several Local Enterprise Office client companies received recognition with the awards presented by Kieran Comerford, Chair of the Enterprise Exhibitions Committee and LEO Carlow and Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland. 

Coolree Design, supported by Local Enterprise Office Kildare, were awarded the top prize in the Best Product Awards for the Local Enterprise Showcase section.  Berina Kelly Jewellery, supported by Local Enterprise Office Galway, and Circle Vivendi, supported by Local Enterprise Office South Dublin, were also highly commended for their products by the judges.  Lou Brennan from Local Enterprise Office Mayo was highly commended in the overall Fashion Category for the Best Product Awards at Showcase 2019.

For more information on Local Enterprise Showcase 2019 and supports available to those operating in the design and crafts sector, log on to www.LocalEnterprise.ie and for more information on Showcase 2019, log on to www.ShowcaseIreland.com