17/01/2024
An initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, the Local Enterprise Showcase, is a special area at Showcase that houses a range of Ireland’s newest design talent, including the following LEO Cork City’s clients this year:
The event, which is a pinnacle event in the global design and crafts calendar, will open its doors to thousands of buyers from across the world, including Ireland, the UK, USA, mainland Europe, Asia and Africa, generating millions of euros of sales orders during the show.
Showcase is presented on behalf of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally through their network of offices overseas, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide.
In 2023 there were thousands of national and international buyers in attendance at the event in the RDS and it is expected this will increase again in 2024.
Local Enterprise Office, Cork City has been working with its three clients in preparation for Showcase, covering merchandising for their stands, marketing, and sales techniques to ensure they maximise opportunities at the three-day event.
Dr. Niall O’Keeffe, LEO Cork City believes this is an opportunity like no other for up-and-coming craft and design clients looking to make that international breakthrough. “To be exposed to this many high-quality buyers in one place is an incredible opportunity for any business starting out. If things go well at this event, a business could fill their book for the year and may well establish a partnership that could extend longer than that and help them grow. While that won’t happen for every business, just to be here, see other exhibitors, get new ideas and develop their skills in marketing and sales will stand by them going forward.”
This year Local Enterprise Showcase clients had the opportunity to enter the inaugural Business of Craft Awards. This is the first year of the Awards that celebrate the business behind the amazing craft and design products that are created across the country.
The awards have three categories - Best Newcomer for the best craft and design business who is exhibiting for the first time, One to Watch for the best craft and design business who has excellent export and international potential and finally Sustainability Champion for the best craft and design business who is excelling in sustainability.
The shortlisted finalists for the inaugural awards are, in the Best Newcomer category, Sully & Juno supported by LEO Wexford, Pawpear supported by LEO Waterford and Kyna Maree supported by LEO Meath.
In the One to Watch category the finalists are Bex Shelford Prints supported by LEO Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown, Hanna’s Bees supported by LEO South Cork and Sketchico supported by LEO Galway.
And in the Sustainability Champion category the finalists are Irish Socksciety supported by LEO Galway, Palm Free Irish Soap supported by LEO Clare and Conscious Convert supported by LEO Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown.
The Awards will take place Monday, 22nd January at Showcase in the RDS as part of the overall event.
