Local Awards to be Held for Design Businesses
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, announced details of the “Local Enterprise Showcase Awards” on Monday. The awards are run by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and open to their local craft and design businesses taking part in Showcase – Ireland’s International Creative Expo, which is being held in the RDS, Dublin from January 22nd to 25th 2017.
The new awards will recognise excellence and innovation amongst the 112 LEO-supported craft makers and designers taking part. “Local Enterprise Showcase” this year replaces the Enterprise Zone as the destination for LEO-supported companies and the number of exhibitors in this area has risen from 97 in 2016 to 112 in 2017.
The announcement comes in the wake of the publication on Friday of Irish Design 2015 – Making Design Matter by Irish Design 2015 (ID2015). The report offers an examination of the Year of Irish Design, a major Government-backed initiative that explored, promoted and celebrated Irish design through events and activities on the island of Ireland and in renowned international capitals of design and commerce.
The awards carry a first prize of a week’s product display in the Kilkenny Shop on Nassau Street, Dublin, and an opportunity to pitch their product to Kilkenny Shop buyers.
Speaking at the launch of the awards, Mitchell O’Connor said: “The LEOs have been a huge support for start-ups and small businesses in the blossoming design and craft sector. Supporting this creative sector will enable further job creation right across the country and I am delighted that these awards will recognise our incredible talent.
“There is a strong appetite internationally for the work of Irish designers and makers, and the Local Enterprise Showcase is a great opportunity for craft makers to grow and develop. Our design and craft sector is contributing to jobs, exports, and tourism.”
Kieran Comerford of the Local Enterprise Offices, said: “We want the Local Enterprise Showcase to become the new destination for buyers to discover design and craft talent at Showcase 2017. Many of the 112 small businesses taking part in the Local Enterprise Showcase are new start-ups or first-time exhibitors. Their presence will give them a unique opportunity to secure substantial international orders and therefore grow their export markets and their job creation prospects.”
The Local Enterprise Showcase is located along the Balcony Area of the RDS Main Hall at Showcase , which is open to trade buyers from Sunday, January 22nd to Wednesday, January 25th 2017.
