CRAFT COMPANIES SHOW OFF THEIR PRODUCTS
CREATIVE entrepreneurs from County Wicklow were in the spotlight last week as they promoted local craft and design to an estimated 5,000 national and international buyers at Showcase in Dublin, Ireland’s International Creative Expo.
Working in partnership with the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, the 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) around the country set up a dedicated area within Showcase, which enabled over 100 designers, manufacturers and craftspeople to sell directly to international buyers.
Among them were local companies that have been supported by their Local Enterprise Office Wicklow, such as Holly Somerville, Botanical Artist, Aoife Mullane from amullanedesign, David McGlynn of Fine Art Bronzes both from Bray and Suzie Beggan of Mookie and Boo from Greystones. The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, paid a visit to the LEO showcase to meet the start-ups and first-time exhibitors.
The Minister was joined by Sheelagh Daly of the Local Enterprise Offices, Karen Hennessey of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, Stephen Hughes of Enterprise Ireland and Anna-Marie Delaney of the CCMA Economic, Enterprise, Community and Culture Committee.
Sheelagh Daly Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Wicklow said: ‘At international trade fairs like Showcase, making the right first impression on buyers is key, especially if you’re a new start-up or first-time exhibitor.
‘As part of the supports provided by the LEOs, companies were given expert advice and training around on-stand selling have shared in a prize fund of €50,000 to date and Regional winners Kate and Maurice now have the opportunity to add to that by competing for a slice of the €100,000 prize fund available at the National finals which will take place on March 4 in Google Headquarters in Dublin.
Sheelagh Daly, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Wicklow, congratulated the winners on their success.
She said: ‘ The IBYE initiative plays a key role in helping young entrepreneurs move their business to the next level. The programme is about nurturing entrepreneurs through bootcamps, training, networking and mentoring, with the added bonus of a national €2 million investment and presentation skills. With over 5,000 buyers expected, Showcase is the ideal platform for micro enterprises and smaller businesses to attract trade customers from more than 20 countries.’
Further details about the Showcase Creative Expo are available from www.showcaseireland.com and details about the supports available to local design and craft companies are available from www.localenterprise.ie. fund shared between runners up and winners at county and national level.
‘ The winners represent the wealth of young talent that exists throughout the county which the LEO are committed to supporting in order to bring new and exciting business ideas to fruition. We wish Kate and Maurice continued success as they progress in the competition.’
The aim of the IBYE initiative, which is delivered nationally through the Local Enterprise Offices, is to encourage the establishment and development of new innovative businesses by Ireland’s young entrepreneurs. Two thirds of all new jobs are generated by businesses in the first five years of existence.