SHOWCASE – Ireland’s Creative Expo at the RDS
Dr. Orlagh Quinn, Secretary General at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation officially opened Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo at the RDS, Dublin today. The show, which marks its 44th edition this year and runs until Wednesday 22 January, is one of Ireland’s largest and most important international trade fairs. Showcase is presented on behalf of Design and Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide.
Over 400 creative brands, including more than 59 who are exhibiting at Showcase for the first time, are presenting their very latest collections across fashion, jewellery and home & giftware. Orders generated over the four days of the 2019 show were €25.1M (+4.6% on 2018), equating to an annualised sales level of €159.2M (+4.4% on 2018), and another strong heat is expected for 2020.
Showcase will welcome buying teams over 2,760 retail business across the world who are travelling to the RDS to discover unique, authentic, contemporary products designed and made in Ireland, many of which are exclusive to the show. The main international markets for this trade – only show are the UK, USA, mainland Europe and the Far East. In 2019, Showcase partnered with Enterprise Ireland to run promotional events in Japan and New York and a direct marketing campaign in Germany. Indications are there will be strong growth from these markets in 2020.
