Several of Westmeath’s most talented designers and craftmakers are gearing up to take part in Showcase, Ireland’s creative expo, which takes place in the RDS from January 24 to 27.
The local designers and craftmakers participating in Showcase are: Serano jewellery, Athlone; Mullingar Pewter, Mullingar; Meab Enamels, Multifarnham; La Tene jewellery designs, Killucan; Genesis Fine Arts, Mullingar; Celtic Roots Studio, Ballinahown; Azara Jewellery in Athlone; and Ann Marie Griffin Knitwear, Moate.
Westmeath County Enterprise Board will also participate in Showcase by taking a stand to highlight several first-time exhibitors, allowing buyers to spot the future in craft design while the Crafts Council of Ireland will host a special education, training, and development stand.
In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever to highlight entrepreneurship and demonstrate excellence in innovation and new product development. To this end, Showcase will feature Creative Island, an exclusive new hotspot of beautifully crafted products imagined, designed and made in Ireland. The 58 designers and makers in Creative Island were successfully selected by an independent retail jury for their creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship and include Celtic Roots Studio.
Showcase is acknowledged as the most important sales event of the year for Irish designers and craftmakers who will have the opportunity to meet with and sell their products to more than 5,000 buyers from the domestic and overseas markets, including North America, continental Europe, and Japan. The four-day event is organised on behalf of the the Crafts Council of Ireland and promoted internationally by Enterprise Ireland.
The Showcase awards will take place on the second day of Showcase, Monday January 25, with honours given to the best new products at the four-day event including an inaugural Exporter of the Year Award to recognise excellence in customer service from Irish companies trading overseas.
Showcase will also provide a special seminar programme offering presentations and free clinics by a panel of senior retail executives in, amongst others, branding, business development, merchandising and trends forecasting.
For more information log on to www.showcaseireland.com
