City City business “Mr. Kite Designs” was one of over 100 small craft and design businesses who had the opportunity to meet buyers from all over the world as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2023 in the RDS in Dublin.
Jade Hogan and Jo Slevin of Mr. Kite Designs www.mrkitedesigns.com exhibited at the event that saw over 4,000 buyers from retailers across the globe attend the three-day event in Dublin looking to secure new sales and partners for the year ahead. Upwards of €20 million in business was expected to have been transacted across the three-day event.
Jade Hogan said: “This was our first year at Local Enterprise Showcase and it was a great experience, meeting lots of new customers and strengthening connections with existing ones. The mentoring offered by LEO Cork City to prepare us was a huge help and we look forward to taking part again in the future as we continue to grow our business.”
Speaking on behalf of LEO Cork City, Dr. Niall O’Keeffe, Head of Enterprise: “Local Enterprise Showcase is a great opportunity for promotion and sales for small businesses in the design/craft sector. We were pleased to work
closely with Mr. Kite Designs in recent months in the areas of sales technique, marketing, stand design etc. to ensure they were in the best possible position to maximise their appearance at this international event.”
Dara Calleary, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment officially opened Showcase 2023 at the RDS. The show, which marked its 47th edition this year and ran until Tuesday 24th January, is one of Ireland’s largest and most important international trade fairs. Showcase is presented on behalf of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide.
Minister Calleary said: “It’s great to be here and see some of the incredible products on display. Ireland is globally renowned for its craft and design, and Showcase is the international launchpad for so many Irish makers to achieve this recognition. Craft plays an integral part in Ireland’s economy, and I wish each maker the best of luck during Showcase.”
It was another strong year for Local Enterprise Showcase exhibitors as part of the Showcase Awards with several Local Enterprise Office client companies securing awards and recognition through the Showcase awards programme including the top award for 2023 for Tom King of An Gobha, supported by LEO Meath.
Winner of Overall Best Product Award – Iron St. Brigid’s Cross by Tom King of An Gobha Iron Works and Experience. An Gobha offers immersive and interactive experiences of traditional iron age metal forging delivered with theatre, stories, myths, and legends in Bohermeen, Co Meath. An Gobha also manufactures and sells handcrafted metal decorative objects based on ancient Celtic symbols and artefacts of the Boyne Valley, Ancient East. Tom has created the St. Brigid’s Cross as a work of art based around the traditional cross, with depth and with colour, to mark the new national holiday celebrating our female Patron Saint, St. Brigid.
ENDS
Additional information:
For more information on Local Enterprise Showcase 2023 and supports available to those operating in the design and crafts sector, log on to www.LocalEnterprise.ie and for more information on Showcase 2023, log on to www.ShowcaseIreland.com
Local Enterprise Office, Cork City
Cork City Council
City Hall
Cork
www.localenterprise.ie/corkcity
