Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) is hosting its AGM in Cork for the first time, on Thursday 16th June in the Glucksman Gallery, UCC.
In a video address by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D., he congratulates DCCI on an inspiring year including highlights such as the return of Showcase tradeshow and the publication of the Irish Craft Heroes book.
Key speakers on the day include Irish Craft Hero and Lifetime Achievement Award winner, basket-maker, Joe Hogan; Annemarie Reinhold; jewellery designer; and Fiona Kearney, founding director of the Glucksman Gallery, alongside DCCI speakers, Toby Scott, board director and Rosemary Steen, CEO.
The theme is new horizons informed by lessons learned through innovation and resilience over the last year. The new DCCI strategy harnesses that which is around us – inherent sustainability, regional spread and re-energised public support.
At the AGM Rosemary Steen, DCCI CEO, outlined the key findings of DCCI’s Annual Client Economic Survey:
- Revenue per full-time employee increasing 6% since 2020
- Exports as % of total sales up from 34% to 39% in the same period
- EU, UK, North America are the top export markets
- Direct sales to customers (vs indirect) up from 43% to 56%
- 62% have implemented sustainable practices in their business, with a further 27% intending to do so.
‘This survey of over 500 of our clients shows that they are ambitious for growth, sustainability focused and have pivoted to digital and D2C channels during the pandemic,’ said CEO Rosemary Steen. ‘The craft and design sector makers rallied, innovated and overcame tough trading conditions and are now well positioned and supported by the DCCI’s new strategy and focus on support, regions, craft, design and sustainability.’
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