OFFALY’S BEST CRAFT & DESIGN BUSINESSES SET FOR SHOWCASE 2024

Some of Offaly’s best up and coming craft and design businesses will be part of over 100 companies from across Ireland who will get a chance to meet with buyers from all over the world as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase at the 2024 Showcase event in the RDS, running from the 21^st -23^rd January. 

An initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, the Local Enterprise Showcase, is a special area at Showcase that houses a range of Ireland’s newest design talent. From Offaly, Flying Fig Studio (Designs and illustrates gifts and homewares; mugs, bags, cards) and Heart On My Sleeve Greetings (Irish brand of thoughtful greeting cards and gifts created for occasions in life when words don’t come easy) will attend Showcase 2024.

The event, which is a pinnacle event in the global design and crafts calendar, will open its doors to thousands of buyers from across the world, including Ireland, the UK, USA, mainland Europe, Asia and Africa, generating millions of euros of sales orders during the show.

Showcase is presented on behalf of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally through their network of offices overseas, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide.

Recent participants from Offaly include the likes of Millbee Studio and Heart On My Sleeve Greetings.

In 2023 there were thousands of national and international buyers in attendance at the event in the RDS and it is expected this will increase again in 2024.

Local Enterprise Office Offaly has been working with Flying Fig Studio and Heart On My Sleeve Greetings on merchandising for their stands, marketing, and sales techniques to ensure they maximise opportunities at the three-day event.   

Orla Martin, Head of Enterprise, LEO Offaly believes this is an opportunity like no other for up-and-coming craft and design clients looking to make that break through. “To be exposed to this many high-quality buyers in one place is an incredible opportunity for any business starting out. If things go well at this event, a business could fill their book for the year and may well establish a partnership that could extend longer than that and help them grow. While that won’t happen for every business, just to be here, see other clients, get new ideas and develop their skills in marketing and sales will stand by them going forward.”

Local Enterprise Showcase is one of several enterprise initiatives run by the Local Enterprise Offices across the year to foster entrepreneurship and help small businesses to start and grow. Other events include Local Enterprise Week, National Women’s Enterprise Day, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme and the Local Enterprise Village as part of the National Ploughing Championships. For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices and the supports they can provide, please visit www.LocalEnterprise.ie/offaly  

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For further information, please contact:

Local Enterprise Office Offaly

057 9357480

info@leo.offalycoco.ie