5,000 international buyers expected at trade show

More than €20 million in sales orders are expected at the Showcase creative expo which takes in the RDS this week.

Over four days, 430 Irish designers, manufacturers and craft makers will present their products to more than 5,000 buyers at the trade show.

This year Showcase is predicting a 10 per cent increase in international buyers driven by a new direct marketing effort in partnership with Enterprise Ireland offices abroad. Buyers are expected from 26 countries worldwide.

Trade links
"Showcase is a significant opportunity for designer makers working in craft to do business internationally and offers valuable trade links for those working in the creative sector and the Irish economy as a whole," Crafts Council of Ireland chief executive Karen Hennessy said. More than 90 small Irish craft businesses will exhibit their products to international buyers within the enterprise zone at this year's event. Since 2010, the number of micro-enterprises exhibiting in the zone has almost tripled from 35 to a record breaking 93 businesses in 2014.

"This record number of craft and design companies, from every corner of Ireland, can potentially break into new markets both at home and abroad, securing valuable orders and creating new jobs locally," Georgina Sweetnam from the County and City Enterprise Boards said.

Boryan glass art, Allua furniture design, Mianra artisan soaps, Stable Door pottery, Homeland candles, Irish Baubles and Meli Bondre knitwear will be among the companies exhibiting in the enterprise zone this year.