Local Enterprise Office Clients Prepare For Global Showcase

The trade event gives small designers and craftspeople the unique opportunity to meet over 5,000 buyers from all over the world opening new doors for them to global markets.  

Over 80 Local Enterprise Office clients will exhibit their products at the event and this will include Local Enterprise Clare clients:
Sallyann’s Handmade Bags – design and manufacture of bespoke handbags made from showerproof outer fabrics and recycled materials www.sallyannsbags.ie
Galanta Jewellery – Beadwork jewellery with a celtic theme www.galantajewellery.com
Airmid Natural Irish Skincare – skincare products and soaps produced in the Burren using homegrown herbs and pure essential oils www.airmidsoap.com

Showcase gives Local Enterprise Office clients from every corner of the country, who are primarily from the design and craft sector, the chance to exhibit at the event, which hosts 5,000 buyers from over 20 different countries.  Taking place from the 20th – 23rd January, Showcase is presented by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland and is supported by Enterprise Ireland and country’s network of Local Enterprise Offices.    

Some of those who started their journey at Local Enterprise Showcase include the likes of fashion designers Jennifer Rothwell and Emma Manley, jewellery designer Blaithín Ennis and artisan homeware slate brand, Slated.

The plans for Local Enterprise Showcase were launched at Borris House in Carlow with some of those Local Enterprise Office clients taking part including; Coolree Furniture Design (Kildare), Machado Men’s Grooming (Laois), K Kajoux Jewellery (Kilkenny), Love Mo Chuisle (Wicklow) tweed clothing, KT Metal Design (Kildare), ANU natural skincare (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown), Feltastik (Cork North & West) hand felted creations and fairies, and Jo Browne (Carlow) solid perfume and skincare.

Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise at LEO Clare, said; “Local Enterprise Showcase is potentially a business changing opportunity for these Local Enterprise Office clients.  They have the chance to meet with buyers specific to their market from countries all over the world opening doors to new export opportunities that they simply would not get anywhere else.  

“Each of these clients has worked closely with their Local Enterprise Office to ensure they are in the best possible position to sell their products to national and international buyers.  This event shows the value of partnership with the Local Enterprise Offices, the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland partnering to give these wonderfully talented designers and craftspeople the opportunity to bring their products to the world stage,” added Mr. McElwee.

Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland, said: “The work of the Network of Local Enterprise Offices is invaluable to micro and small enterprises exhibiting at Showcase – Ireland’s International Creative Expo, mentoring and supporting them in launching their latest innovative products at the trade fair. We are delighted to partner with the Local Enterprise Offices in highlighting the wealth of talent amongst emerging creative businesses across the country, and in supporting their commercial potential through the Local Enterprise Showcase. This dedicated area of the show plays a critical role in connecting up-and-coming Irish entrepreneurs with international trade buyers, enabling them to develop their business and expand their client base.”

The Local Enterprise Showcase is housed on the balcony area of the RDS Main Hall during Showcase and is open to trade buyers from all over the world from Sunday 20th January to Wednesday 23rd January.  

Further details on the supports available to small design and crafts businesses in Clare are available from www.LocalEnterprise.ie/clare or by contacting Local Enterprise Office Clare at 065-6821616 or by email to localenterprise@leo.clarecoco.ie .For more information on Showcase 2019 log on to www.showcaseireland.com.

Page last reviewed: 29/11/18

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