One of Ireland’s largest international trade shows returns to Dublin from 22 – 24 January 2023
Today Wednesday 31st August Design & Crafts Council Ireland announces the return of Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo® to the RDS Dublin from Sunday, 22nd January to Tuesday, 24th January 2023. One of Ireland’s largest international trade shows, Showcase offers manufacturers, designers and craft makers the opportunity to exhibit their new collections.
Showcase was founded in 1976 by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and is the largest inter-agency tradeshow of the year for the craft and design sector, presented by Design & Crafts Council Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices and supported by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Showcase Ireland is a unique and ‘must attend’ show in buyers’ diaries. For further details on the event or to pre-register to attend, please visit www.showcaseireland.com.
At Showcase 2022 318 Irish designers, manufacturers, and craftspeople from all over Ireland unveiled their latest collections, while thousands of buyers from 25 countries across four continents attended in person, and many more who visited through the digital platform Showcase Connect. 2023 will see a continuation of successful features launched at Showcase 2022 including the Makers’ Studio where exhibitors demonstrated the crafts at the heart of their products; Talks Stage hosting industry talks and panel discussions and The Edit, a curated selection of exquisite products exhibited at the show. Showcase Connect, the online platform listing exhibitors and products enabling buyers to browse, connect and book meetings with exhibitors online or at the show will launch in advance of the event.
Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, said: “I am delighted to announce the return of Showcase to the RDS in 2023, which is now a ‘must attend’ event in the business calendar for retail buyers from Ireland and across the globe. Showcase emphasises the importance of the craft and design intensive sector in Ireland – our eight largest for employment, having generated €2.9 billion in Gross Value Added economic activity in 2019. Through the work of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, Showcase provides an opportunity for Irish businesses to maximise the potential for increased sales and exposure to export markets.”
Rosemary Steen, CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland commented: “Now in its 47th year, Design & Crafts Council Ireland is delighted to announce the return of Showcase in 2023 at the RDS. Showcase gives designers and makers the opportunity to meet and do business with buyers from Ireland, the UK, USA, Mainland Europe, Asia and Africa. It also offers them the chance to come together to celebrate the creativity, the impact and the importance of the heritage of the Irish craft and design sector globally. We are greatly encouraged by the high numbers of makers seeking to return to Showcase this year, which is a vote of confidence in the future of the fair. I am sure this strong participation will attract even more national and international buyers this year.”
Mary Palmer, Chair of Showcase 2023 said: “Showcase® marks one of the most important events in the design and crafts sector’s calendar. We were delighted to see so many businesses and buyers attend the RDS for Showcase last year and we look forward to even more again this year as restrictions have (further) lifted. The feedback from last year’s exhibitors was fantastic with 84% positive satisfaction ratings, from quality sales; new client development; collaborations, and simply being back in the company and energy of other makers and businesses.”
Anna-Marie Turley, Department Manager – Retail Consumer & Online at Enterprise Ireland added: “Irish businesses have gained a reputation world-wide for their individuality, quality and creativity and consistently compete and win on the world stage. We’re delighted to collaborate once again on this significant annual event which presents Irish designers, craftspeople and manufacturers with a valuable opportunity to meet with a significant number of international buyers from across the world and showcase their unique skills and talents.”
Adding to this, Breda Fox, Head of Craft & Design, Local Enterprise Offices, said; “The return of Showcase to a physical event in 2022 after two challenging years was a huge boost to the sector. The energy and excitement at Local Enterprise Showcase in the new Local Enterprise Area was amazing. The opportunity for these small businesses to be exposed to buyers from not just Ireland but around the world cannot be understated. Many will secure significant deals, while for others they may begin partnerships that will secure their businesses for years to come. We’re looking forward to working with them all over the coming months to put them in the best possible position to maximise their exhibits at Showcase 2023.”
Michele Griffin, Deputy Chief Executive – Commercial, of the RDS, said: “Showcase is an integral event in the business calendar, and a fantastic platform to attract national and international buyers. We are looking forward to welcoming makers yet again to the RDS to demonstrate the importance of craft and design in Ireland.”
Showcase is organised 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. Showcase 2023 is for trade attendance only and will take place from Sunday, 22nd January until Tuesday, 24th January 2023 in the RDS Dublin.
For further details on the event or to pre-register to attend, please visit www.showcaseireland.com
About Showcase
Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo® is one of the country’s largest international trade shows. The annual event is attended by 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. 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. More than 300 Irish brands are exhibited at the fair, including emerging Irish businesses supported by their Local Enterprise Offices. Showcase is for trade attendance only.
For further information, please contact [email protected]
