Wicklow businesses get chance to shine at international trade fair
COUNTY Wicklow companies will get a shot at international success as part of the Showcase Ireland Virtual Rooms.
The international trade fair will take place in a virtual format between January 25 and 29.
Three local companies that are hoping to make a big impression on retail buyers later this month are Copperfish based in Rathnew, Alanna Plekkenpol based in Bray, and Mookie and Boo based in Greystones.
Copperfish, founded by Eoin Shanley and his wife Yvonne Shanley, design and make lamps and lights out of traditional and salvaged materials. Alanna Plekkenpol designs and makes hand-printed illustrated tiled wall art. Inspired by her dual Dutch/Irish heritage, Alanna’s designs combine elements of traditional Dutch Delft blue and her own signature style of illustration. Mookie and Boo, founded in 2015 by Suzie Beggan, is a luxury lifestyle brand designed to enhance well-being.
‘ Thanks to this year’s Virtual Showrooms at Showcase, Local Enterprise Office clients can launch new collections and arrange meetings with buyers from around the globe, direct from their studio or workshop,’ said Vibeke Delahunt, head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Wicklow.
Showcase Ireland is organised by Showcase Ireland Crafts and Design Fair CLG, a subsidiary of Design and Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI). It is supported by DCCI, Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs, including LEO Wicklow.
Showcase is one of the industry’s largest international trade fairs where designers and craft makers provide a choice of contemporary and heritage collections, offering innovation, quality, sustainability and a distinctive point of difference to retail buyers from across the globe.
Ms Delahunt said: “Pivoting to virtual showrooms in virtual marketplaces has become an essential part of doing business in the last year, especially for small businesses who would have relied heavily on large-scale trade and consumer events for sales. Thanks to this year’s Virtual Showrooms at Showcase, Local Enterprise Office clients can launch new collections and arrange meetings with buyers from around the globe, direct from their studio or workshop.’
She added: ‘We will continue to work closely with local companies, like Copperfish, Alanna Plekkenpol and Mookie and Boo, to help them make the most from virtual marketplace opportunities throughout 2021.’
Chair of Showcase Ireland, Eddie Shanahan said; ‘Ireland boasts a wealth of talent and creativity and while the pandemic prevents the physical event from taking place, we are delighted to continue to provide a platform for Ireland’s creators and makers to showcase their products to Irish and international buyers. Though this year’s event will look different, we are confident that we will demonstrate the vitality of the Irish craft and design sector to both new and returning buyers.
‘We will also relaunch our Showcase website as a source guide, with over 200 designers and makers offering B2B facilities, for Irish and international buyers.’
Showcase Ireland 2021 Virtual Showrooms will be delivered on a secure platform that will facilitate virtual meetings by appointment. It will allow international and Irish buyers to explore the creativity and craftsmanship of the exhibitors, like they would at the RDS each year. The platform will feature exhibitors’ and buyers’ profiles, website links, product imagery and video links that will be accessible to participants at the event.
Exhibitors have been fully equipped via a specially developed masterclass in virtual trading, including how to set up a visually appealing online showroom, managing a virtual meeting, storytelling and how to trade effectively in a virtual setting.
Rosemary Steen, chief executive of DCCI, said: ‘ The Showcase Virtual Showrooms will be invaluable in helping to maintain key relationships between Showcase, key buyers around the world and producers in Ireland. While the digital space will never replace the value of a physical sales meeting, we believe that more and more exporting will be transacted online in the future. I want to thank Eddie Shanahan as chair of Showcase Design and Crafts Fair CLG, together with his board colleagues, for their hard work and guidance in delivering this exciting, new event for the design and craft sector. I would also like to thank Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices for their continued strong commitment to Showcase and our industry overall.’
‘Showcase was founded by Design and Crafts Council Ireland 45 years ago and 2021 will be the first year that our clients will not be able to meet their trade buyers face to face. During 2020 we have been placing huge emphasis on developing the digital capabilities of our client companies and we are hopeful that Showcase 2021 will keep sales moving until the pandemic recedes, protecting jobs and livelihoods,’ she added.
Sean Davis, regional director, North America at Enterprise Ireland, said: ‘Now in its 45th year, Showcase curates an inspirational display of consumer and lifestyle products that reflects Ireland’s distinguished global reputation for excellence in design and creativity. Internationally recognised Irish brands alongside upcoming designers and makers from Ireland are exhibiting on our virtual platform this year. They are already attracting new and returning buyers looking for the next big trend, innovative design and quality products using traditional skills.’