Local craftspeople do well at RDS

Talented craftspeople from Meath "performed strongly" at an international buyers' event in Dublin, according to the Meath County Enterprise Board. The Meath County Enterprise Board praised the efforts of Donagh Quigley and Gemma McGowan from The Handmade Soap Company in Kells, Kim Grant from Kimmy Crafts in Trim (which makes literary cards) and Neil McShane from Black and White in Navan (photography landscapes), who represented Meath at Showcase event in the RDS. Some 5,000 buyers from Japan, Norway, America and Europe got the opportunity to see the work of the Meath craftspeople and to meet them face-to-face. The Meath County Enterprise Board supported local craftspeople in a very practical way at Showcase, including subsidising the cost of exhibition stands and providing marketing literature to help attract the attention of international buyers. The network of County and City Enterprise Boards also sponsored the seminar programme for exhibitors at Showcase, which included merchandising tips for craftspeople, top trends for 2010 and advice around selling online. Over 450 exhibitors took part altogether in Showcase, which ran in the RDS until last Wednesday. The event is organised on behalf of the Crafts Council of Ireland every year by Expo Events and is promoted internationally by Enterprise Ireland. Further information about the supports available to small businesses in Meath is available by visiting the Meath County Enterprise Board website at www.meath.com