news & reviews
SHOWCASE 2010
- A REVIEW
Showcase 2010: Ireland’s Creative Expo was opened by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan. The show which ran from the 24th to the 27th January at the RDS generated an estimated €20 million in sales orders over the four days and attracted more than 5,000 buyers from the domestic and 27 overseas markets, including North America, continental Europe and Japan. Despite the current economic challenges Showcase 2010 was an exciting and invigorating display of Irish Creativity at its best. Recognised as the most important event in the year for the crafts sector, this year’s show included 400 exhibitors of which 163 were craftspeople. And the good news is that for the first time in several years, buyer attendance figures were up 30% on the 2009 show. Furthermore, 88% of buyers confirmed that orders were or would be placed as a result of a visit to
the show: 45% of total orders placed are destined for Ireland, followed by the US at 14% and the UK at 12%. “The team worked very hard to modernise the image of Showcase to make it more attractive and desirable to buyers. A new website, a new brand identity, a new ezine programme and a strong collaboration with our partners Expo and Enterprise Ireland all contributed to a strong increase in web registrations in advance of
the show.” said Brian McGee, Head of Market Development for the Crafts Council of Ireland. As part of its three year strategy, the Crafts Council of Ireland has been transforming Showcase to make it ‘the show’ to do business and buy quality Irish craft gifts. Below are some of the key initiatives and highlights of the 2010 Show.
CREATIVE ISLAND A big draw for buyers to this year’s show was ‘Creative Island’ an exclusive new hotspot, located at the main entrance to the show. Creative Island featured an impressive range of quality crafted products – all ‘Imagined. Designed. Made. With Passion in Ireland.’ by the 58 participating designers and makers. Selection for Creative Island was by an independent retail panel, who rewarded creativity, innovation and craftsmanship. Creative Island is part of a bigger campaign spearheaded by the Crafts Council of Ireland to create more awareness and appreciation of contemporary Irish craft amongst consumers. To complement the area, a stunning book was produced which was made available to buyers at the show. The Creative Island book gives the location and details of each of the participating Irish craftmakers and tells their unique story. Creative Island will also shortly be accessible online. Hard copies of Creative Island are available to craft retailers. Contact Gillian O’Callaghan (see details on page 30).
“Great layout on Creative Island. Buyers very relaxed with it.”
Creative Island received a very favourable response from both buyers and exhibitors. According to show figures 43% of overseas buyers purchased from Creative Island exhibitors, with 62% of all craft orders at Showcase placed with exhibitors in this area. Feedback from overseas buyers confirms that they consider Irish crafts to be of excellent quality. “It was clear from buyers at this year’s show that stocking a selection of contemporary Irish craft is back in vogue with 87% of buyers acknowledging that country of origin is important to their customers. In today’s
Donal Sweeney, Rathlin Knitwear
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competitive environment buyers areonly too aware of the increasing importance of having something different to offer to today’s new conscientious consumer and Ireland’s designers and makers offer a wonderful range of quality, authentic products at a variety of price points”, said Úna Parsons, CEO, Crafts Council of Ireland.