Sales orders worth €22m expected during Showcase 2011

ORGANISERS of the country’s largest international trade fair say sales orders worth in excess of €22m are expected over the duration of the event.

Showcase 2011, which was launched yesterday, takes place at the RDS in Dublin from January 23 to 26 and will provide a platform for 350 of the country’s designers, manufacturers and craftspeople to sell their wares to an estimated 5,500 retail buyers from home and abroad.

Visitors are expected from Europe, North America and Japan and will be looking at new product ranges in fashion, jewellery and interiors.

The organisers of Showcase 2011, the Crafts Council of Ireland, said they expect in the region of €22m of orders to be made during the event, with the body’s head of market development, Brian McGee, claiming that the event was hugely important for the Irish economy.

“We have a wealth of creative talent in this country and Showcase is where it is presented to the world,” he said. “Despite the recession, Ireland is definitely open for business.

“There is always huge excitement at this show. Buyers are keen to see the newest innovations and the craftspeople see it as their main chance to secure contracts for the coming year.

“This year exporting is even more important to everyone,” he said.

As well as showcasing established brands such as Tipperary Crystal, Belleek and Avoca, the event will also be an opportunity for up- and-coming designers to showcase their work, including milliner Wendy Louise Knight and knitwear by Lisa Shawgi, originally from Sudan but now living in Dublin.

* www.showcaseireland.com