Showcase 2024 - Ireland's Creative Expo Opens On Sunday 21st January

Wednesday, 10^th January, 2024: Today, Showcase – Ireland’s International Creative Expo® launched at The Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (‘Society House’). With a proven track record, almost five decades, Showcase 2024 returns to the RDS, Dublin, from Sunday, 21st January to Tuesday 23rd January, 2024. Blending time-honoured craft with innovative design, Showcase 2024 is set to be bigger and better. Almost 400 exhibitors and more than 4,000 visitors from Ireland and overseas are expected to attend the three-day show.

One of Ireland’s largest trade shows, Showcase is a key destination for domestic and international buyers. This year, Showcase will put a keen focus on the buyer encouraging them to choose Irish products for their craftsmanship, connection to the maker, and provenance. The 400 exhibitors will exhibit their latest collections across four product categories – home and gift, wellbeing, fashion, and jewellery. Sustainability, responsible retail, independent retailers, and sector development are also significant pillars of this year’s event. A key draw, especially for international retailers, is that at Showcase, the makers behind the products are usually those behind the stands. This gives rise to stories and insights that translate into consumer marketing and selling, as well as benefiting from the charm of being in Ireland.

Showcase was founded in 1976 by Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) and is delivered with support from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Enterprise Ireland, and the Local Enterprise Offices. In 2023, Showcase generated over €25 million in sales order during the show for the 400 exhibitors who unveiled their latest collections. Almost 4,000 buyers from 24 countries across four continents attended in person, and many more visited through the digital platform Showcase Connect.

Showcase 2024 will see a continuation of successful features from previous years including a dynamic event that will fuse dance, music and products to convey the heritage and craftsmanship of Irish craft and design. Sectoral development presentations and panel discussions will take place on the Inspiration Stage ranging across topics from insights into aspects of Irish craft and design to retail trends and AI.  The annual Showcase Awards will take place on Sunday 21^st January, and The Edit, a curated exhibition of products from the show will be displayed throughout the venue. Preparing for and attending Showcase will be made more convenient through the Showcase digital platform and app. On it, buyers can search and browse exhibitors and products by categories and location, create wish lists and set up meetings. The introduction of an interactive floor plan on the app will significantly enhance navigation around the tradeshow.

Each year a selection of Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople unveil their new season collections from fashion and wellbeing to jewellery and home and gifting. Showcase makes sustainable and conscientious buying accessible, and the trade fair itself has implemented a number of sustainable measures such as hydration stations. Showcase is the home of discovery for new and emerging brands to highlight their unique qualities and stories but also a continued road to growth for existing Irish businesses. Trade buyers can register to attend this boutique design and craft expo at showcaseireland.com.

Launching Showcase 2024, Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Trade Promotion and Digital Transformation commented, “I am delighted to launch Showcase 2024. This trade fair welcomes national and international buyers to give them an opportunity to take their retail offering to the next level with pieces from heritage brands and family businesses. Showcase provides a unique opportunity for Irish businesses to increase their sales and exposure to markets across the globe. Last year’s Showcase saw orders of over €25 million, a superb investment into the Irish design and craft sector. We look forward to this year’s Showcase and we are confident that it will bring continued growth and expansion to the sector.”

Rosemary Steen, CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland said, “For almost five decades, Showcase has offered a unique opportunity for designers and craftspeople across Ireland. Under one roof, the show provides an opportunity to meet and build relationships with buyers from all around the world. Each year, Showcase has grown, developed and expanded.”

“2024 marks a significant year for us. The future of Showcase is set up towards advancing the sector. We have made substantial investments in enhancing the visitor experience and fostering sector development for consumers. This will lead to a more exciting and impactful Showcase for years to come. KPMG have reviewed the economic impact of similar events elsewhere. When applying to Showcase, the total economic value may have stood at up to €40 million in 2023, based on sales over €25 million generated at the show. We take pride in championing the brave innovative craft businesses on a global stage and we promise to deliver a strong Showcase 2024.”

Teri Smith, Manager – Retail Consumer & Online (Technology & Services Division) at Enterprise Ireland stated, “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to partner with the Design & Crafts Council Ireland on Showcase, a key event in the Consumer Retail calendar. Our network of international offices has engaged key buyers from markets all over the world to source quality Irish knitwear, textiles, craft, jewellery and giftware.

“The consumer products sector is highly export focused and has shown impressive double digit growth in recent years. Showcase 2024 provides an important platform for Irish companies to highlight this success and to strengthen new and current opportunities with global buyers. Enterprise Ireland are seeing growing demand for innovative, sustainable and quality products from Irish companies and we look forward to delivering international market success for Irish businesses at Showcase.”

Tom Rooney, Head of Craft & Design, Local Enterprise Offices, said; “For our craft and design businesses, this is the ideal way to kick off the year. A significant opportunity for them to meet with buyers from across Ireland and the world that may end up changing their businesses forever.  We will have over 100 Local Enterprise Office supported clients there across the three days and have been working closely with them to help ensure they maximise their attendance at Showcase 2024.  There’s no doubt it will be another fantastic event that will help highlight the amazing talent that Irish craft and design has to offer.”

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