The Local Enterprise Offices in Corks' 12 talented crafts and gifts people are ready for SHOWCASE IRELAND 2016.

The small craft and design businesses, representing 22 counties in Ireland, have all been supported by their Local Enterprise Office, making it possible for them to sell to international retail buyers from more than twenty countries such as the US, France, Japan, China and Italy.

Showcase at the RDS runs from January 24^th to 27^th and is the first major trade event of the year, organised by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland and promoted internationally by Enterprise Ireland. The dedicated Enterprise Zone in the balcony area, co-ordinated by the Local Enterprise Offices, has become known as the home for emerging designers and craftspeople in recent years.

A wide range of creative sectors will be represented by the Enterprise Zone this month, such as ceramics, knitwear, jewellery, interiors, skincare and giftware. Announcing the plans for 2016, Kieran Comerford, Chair of Local Enterprise Offices in the Local Authorities Network said: “Many of the 97 small businesses within the Enterprise Zone are new start-ups or first-time exhibitors, making their debut in 2016. Thanks to practical business support through the Local Enterprise Offices, these companies are well-placed to secure substantial international orders during Showcase, helping to grow their order books, their export markets and their job creation prospects.”

According to figures from Indecon*, well over 5,000 people work in the craft sector in Ireland with plenty of opportunities for small companies to grow and for new enterprises to start-up.

Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be working once again with the Local Enterprise Offices in introducing Irish and international buyers to the latest exciting products from emerging Irish designers and makers at Showcase.  This annual trade show, which is now in its 40th year, is active in promoting Ireland’s well-recognised strengths for design and creativity to buyers from Ireland and over 20 countries around the world.  I would like to commend and thank the Local Enterprise Offices for supporting small craft and design businesses in participating in the Enterprise Zone at Showcase.  The exhibiting companies represent the wealth of creative talent in Ireland today and this dedicated area at Showcase plays a critical role in helping emerging Irish entrepreneurs develop their business and expand their client base.”

Kieran Comerford of the Local Enterprise Offices also highlighted the year-round supports that are available to design-focussed businesses, helping them to grow and expand. He said: “As well as making it possible for designers and craftspeople to exhibit at trade events, such as Showcase, there are lots of other supports available to the craft and design sector locally. These include financial assistance, MicroFinance loans, Trading Online Vouchers, mentoring, business advice clinics and training programmes, which are all available through the Local Enterprise Offices.”

The Enterprise Zone is located in the Balcony Area of the RDS Main Hall at Showcase, which is open to trade buyers from Sunday, January 24^th to Wednesday, January 27^th. Further information around the Enterprise Zone at Showcase is available here and through www.showcaseireland.com.

Designers and Makers Exhibiting within the Enterprise Zone at Showcase in the RDS (Jan 24^th – 27^th  2016) from the County of Cork