Showcase at the RDS & Designer Dublin for PLATO
Dublin craftspeople are hoping to make a big impact on international buyers at this month’s Showcase event in the RDS and PLATO is recruiting designer-makers for the 2012 Designer Dublin PLATO programme.
Many of the Dublin craft enterprises at Showcase will be first-time exhibitors and are being supported by Dublin City Enterprise Board, to help them secure sales and export orders for 2012.
Craft enterprises exhibiting at Showcase include: Project51, Fashion Hothouse, Made in Ireland, JLB Jewellery, BuyIreland.com, Primula Handmade Natural Skincare, The Printing Rooms and Karl Sweeny Design.
Showcase, which is organised by the Crafts Council of Ireland every year, is seen by industry experts as one of the most important trade events for the craft sector and runs from Sunday, January 22nd to Wednesday, January 25th.
The County and City Enterprise Boards are providing specialist supports to small businesses this year, to enable more of them to break into the export market. Fifty-two craftspeople, designers and artists in total from around the country, are being supported by their local Enterprise Boards.
Situated at the new “Enterprise Zone” along the balcony area of the RDS Main Hall, the Enterprise Boards are hoping to attract up to 5,500 retail buyers, who are expected to attend Showcase from over seventeen countries.
For more information about Showcase, please visit www.showcaseireland.com.
Designer Dublin PLATO Programme
Staying with the design and craft theme, PLATO is recruiting designer-makers for the 2012 Designer Dublin PLATO programme.
The twelve month programme will facilitate designer-makers to develop and grow their enterprise or label through tailored monthly meetings, workshops, one-to-one mentoring and networking events.
Workshops to include:
- Message to the media: A workshop that will elucidate to owner/managers how to present the brand or label to the media.
- Ecommerce Without the Waffle: A workshop that will develop the most beneficial ecommerce direction for each business or label, presented by a facilitator with ecommerce experience.
- Funds for Designer-Makers: A workshop describing available grant and funding assistance and support and how to apply for these.
- Burning Issue: The opportunity to discuss with the group the challenges and opportunities that owner/managers face in their business.
- Sales: Workshops and tailored advice focusing on increasing domestic and export sales for the label or brand.
The group will have less than twenty members and will set its own agenda. It will be directed by two experienced facilitators, at least one of whom will possess a relevant designer-maker background. Meetings will be held in a central Dublin location.
Applications are invited from designer-makers who are:
- At least eighteen months in business
- Are based in Dublin city or county
- Work full-time in fashion/ceramics/jewellery/accessories/furniture and have their brand or label as their primary source of income
- Interested in working with other designer-makers to grow their brand or label
For more information on this Designer Dublin PLATO programme for designer-makers, please email networking@plato.ie before January 9th 2012.