Cork County Council’s Local Enterprise Offices Support Craft & Design Businesses at Showcase 2024
Some of Cork County’s best up and coming craft and design businesses will join over 100 companies from across Ireland for the chance to meet with buyers from all over the world as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase at ‘Showcase 2024’, taking place in the RDS from the 21st to the 23rd of January.
The leading trade show event in the Irish and International design and crafts calendar, ‘Showcase’ 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.
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. In preparation for the annual event, Cork County Council’s Local Enterprise Offices have been supporting clients on merchandising for their stands, marketing, and sales techniques to ensure they maximise opportunities at the three-day event.
Local Enterprise Office South Cork has been working with Louise Moran of ‘Flourish Emporium’, a Midleton based home fragrance brand creating luxury candles, reed diffusers and diffuser oils, Hanna Backmo of ‘Hanna’s Bees’ creating sustainable and luxury honeybee products, Reileen Bn Ui Dhuinnin of ‘Duil Ireland’, an exciting new jewellery brand based in Clondrohid and Mary O’ Donnell of MOD ART Studios, a contemporary Irish Artist with a passion for art and photography.
‘Hanna’s Bees’ has also been announced as one of the three finalists in the “One to Watch” category at Showcase 2024, recognized by peer and industry experts as a business with quality products and huge potential.
Representing Local Enterprise Office North and West Cork are Tracy McCarthy of ‘Naturally Balanced’, a new collection of facial, body and lip oils based in Kinsale, Claire O'Sullivan of WASI in Bantry a seaweed skincare collection inspired by the ‘Wild Atlantic Seaweed of Ireland’ and Paula McGovern of ‘Wizard and Grace’ in Kinsale, a natural handmade candle alternative with 100% plant ingredients and essential oils.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Frank O’Flynn believes this is an opportunity like no other for up-and-coming craft and design companies looking to make that break through on to the national and international marketplace,
Mayor
We have a wealth of creative enterprises from Cork County working in the gift, craft and design sector. The Showcase trade show is a unique opportunity to meet quality trade buyers in one place. With Irish and international retailers buying, a business could potentially get orders for the year ahead. While that won’t happen for every business, the market research, PR leads, product development and networking opportunities will help grow their brand and develop their skills in marketing and sales into the future.
‘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.
Local Enterprise Showcase is one of several enterprise initiatives run by the Local Enterprise Offices across the year to foster entrepreneurship and help small businesses to start and grow. Other events include Local Enterprise Week, National Women’s Enterprise Day, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme and the Local Enterprise Village as part of the National Ploughing Championships. For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices and the supports they can provide, please visit www.LocalEnterprise.ie.