Press release
Showcase - Ireland’s Creative Expo 2022 dates announced
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
Design & Crafts Council Ireland has today announced the return of Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo® to Dublin from 23 - 26 January 2022. Showcase is one of country’s largest international trade shows and post-pandemic will once again take place in the RDS Dublin. Showcase was founded in 1976 by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and is delivered with support from Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices.
Showcase offers manufacturers, designers, and craft makers the opportunity to exhibit their new collections. In January 2020, the last Showcase before the pandemic, retail buyers from over 26 countries attended the fair in pursuit of innovation, quality, sustainability and a distinctive point of difference.
Following on from a successful virtual Showcase 2021, this year’s event returns as a hybrid model in line with international trade show trends, with a digital element added to the physical fair in the RDS.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD said:
"This is fantastic news for all creators and makers around the country. The return of the exhibition to the RDS is a real boost and gives us all something to look forward to next January. Ireland’s Creative Expo is always an opportunity to celebrate the contribution our craftspeople make to our economy and Irish society and never has it been more important after the last 18 months. I wish all those planning to take part the very best of luck with the preparations."
Speaking at the launch of Showcase 2022, Rosemary Steen, CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland said:
"The Design and Crafts Council is delighted to announce the return of our international trade fair, Showcase, in 2022 at the RDS. The last 18 months have been very challenging for the craft and design industry. We hope this announcement will bring a welcome boost to makers and designers as we welcome back overseas buyers to Showcase in Dublin. We are relaunching Showcase with exciting new experiences for visitors and exhibitors. We will also be growing the very successful digital aspect of the fair launched last year. Showcase 2022 will be a celebration of the creativity and resilience of our communities."
Ross O’Colmáin, Enterprise Ireland commented:
"Showcase is a hugely important date in the calendar for our high-profile international buyers and is a significant annual event for Enterprise Ireland as it creates real export opportunities for our client companies. These Irish businesses continue to grow and prove that Irish products consistently compete and win on the world stage."
Breda Fox, Head of Craft & Design, Local Enterprise Offices, said:
"It’s been a challenging 18 months for many businesses, particularly small producers in the design and craft sector. But now it is extremely exciting that we can look forward to having a physical promotional event for our up and coming craft producers. Many in the sector have innovated, pivoted and found new markets online. To have the Local Enterprise Showcase back at Showcase 2022 will be a huge and much-needed boost for the sector.
"Showcase provides a springboard early in each New Year for many of those businesses. In many cases it may be their first exhibition so buyers have an opportunity to see something new and unique. Some of Ireland’s best craft and design talent have been innovating over the past 2 years. They now have a great opportunity to promote their new lines at this international exhibition to visiting trade buyers. I have no doubt that the Local Enterprise Showcase will be full of the best upcoming talent in the sector."
Showcase is organised 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.
Showcase 2022 is for trade attendance only and will take place from Sunday 23 January until Wednesday 26 January 2022 in the RDS Dublin. The event will also have the exciting addition of a conference focused on sector development. Details will be published in due course.
For further details on the event or to pre-register to attend, please visit www.showcaseireland.com.
For further media information:
Claire Rowley / Máire McGrath
Drury Communications
087 269 5014 (CR) / 085 365 9047 (MMG)
Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo® is one of the country’s largest international trade shows. The annual event attracts the buying teams from over 2,760 retailers from across the world, including Ireland, the UK, USA, Mainland Europe and the Far East, generating sales orders of over €20 million during the four days of 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. More than 400 Irish brands are exhibited at the fair, including emerging Irish businesses supported by their Local Enterprise Offices. Showcase is for trade attendance only. www.showcaseireland.com
Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) is the national agency for the commercial development of Irish designers and makers, stimulating innovation, championing design thinking and informing government policy. DCCI's activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 66-member organisations and over 3,300 registered clients. Design & Crafts Council Ireland | @DCCIreland
Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. We work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. In this way, we support sustainable economic growth, regional development and secure employment. www.enterprise-ireland.com
The 31 Local Enterprise Offices located in the local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide. Since their establishment in 2014 they have been for the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses and providing a range of supports including financial, mentoring, training and sector specific expertise to help guide businesses at any stage of their development. For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie