One of Ireland’s largest international trade show returns to Dublin from 23 – 26 January 2022
Wednesday 15 September 2021: Design & Crafts Council Ireland has today announced the return of Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo® to Dublin from the 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 & 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 information, please contact [email protected]
