LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE CARLOW CLIENT PREPARE FOR GLOBAL SHOWCASE

Showcase 2019

Joanne Browne will represent Local Enterprise Office Carlow in the Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2019 in January. The trade event gives small designers and craftspeople the unique opportunity to meet over 5,000 buyers from all over the world opening new doors for them to global markets.

The Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2019 takes place at the RDS in Dublin from the 20th to 23rd January 2019 and will feature over 80 Local Enterprise Office clients from all across the country.

Over 80 Local Enterprise Office clients will exhibit their products at the event and this will include Local Enterprise Carlow client Joanne Browne. Established in 2016, Jo Browne is the brand-name behind natural solid perfume, cologne and now skincare ranges since 2018. Her products, which are a travel-friendly alternative to perfume and cologne, are hand-made with organic beeswax in Ireland.

Showcase gives Local Enterprise Office clients from every corner of the country, who are primarily from the design and craft sector, the chance to exhibit at the event, which hosts 5,000 buyers from over 20 different countries.  Taking place from the 20th – 23rd January, Showcase is presented by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland and supported by Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices.    

Some of those who started their journey at Local Enterprise Showcase include the likes of fashion designers Jennifer Rothwell and Emma Manley, jewellery designer Blaithín Ennis and artisan homeware slate brand, Slated. 

The plans for Local Enterprise Showcase were launched at Borris House in Carlow with some of those Local Enterprise Office clients taking part including; Coolree Furniture Design (Kildare), Machado Men’s Grooming (Laois), K Kajoux Jewellery (Kilkenny), Love Mo Chuisle (Wicklow) tweed clothing, KT Metal Design (Kildare), ANU natural skincare (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown), Feltastik (Cork North & West) hand felted creations and fairies, and Jo Browne (Carlow) solid perfume and skincare.

Kieran Comerford Head of Enterprise said; “Local Enterprise Showcase is potentially a business changing opportunity for these Local Enterprise Office clients.  They have the chance to meet with buyers specific to their market from countries all over the world opening doors to new export opportunities that they simply would not get anywhere else. 

“Each of these clients has worked closely with their Local Enterprise Office to ensure they are in the best possible position to sell their products to national and international buyers.  This event shows the value of partnership with the Local Enterprise Offices, the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland partnering to give these wonderfully talented designers and craftspeople the opportunity to bring their products to the world stage.”

Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland, said: “The work of the Network of Local Enterprise Offices is invaluable to micro and small enterprises exhibiting at Showcase – Ireland’s International Creative Expo, mentoring and supporting them in launching their latest innovative products at the trade fair. We are delighted to partner with the Local Enterprise Offices in highlighting the wealth of talent amongst emerging creative businesses across the country, and in supporting their commercial potential through the Local Enterprise Showcase. This dedicated area of the show plays a critical role in connecting up-and-coming Irish entrepreneurs with international trade buyers, enabling them to develop their business and expand their client base.”

The Local Enterprise Showcase is housed on the balcony area of the RDS Main Hall during Showcase and is open to trade buyers from all over the world from Sunday 20th January to Wednesday 23rd January. 

Further details on the supports available to small design and crafts businesses in Carlow are available from www.LocalEnterprise.ie/carlow or by contacting Local Enterprise Office Carlow at 059 9129783 or by email to enterprise@carlowcoco.ie  For more information on Showcase 2019 log on to www.showcaseireland.com

 

ENDS