Selling Opportunity at Bloom 2011

This information just came in from the Crafts Council of Ireland about a selling opportunity at Bloom 2011.

Bloom 2011 is the fifth year of Bord Bía’s very successful garden show, celebrating garden life. The consumer show takes place from Thursday the 2nd to Monday the 6th of June 2011 in Phoenix Park, Dublin. Opening hours are from 10am to 6pm.

Celebrating Year of Craft, the crafts presence at Bloom 2011 will be stronger than ever – with a craft-inspired garden, retail, demonstration and workshop space.  Bloom represents opportunities for craft makers to promote and sell to this very large audience. In 2010 Bloom achieved pheonomenal success by attracting over 60,000 visitors.

The Crafts Council of Ireland’s objective is to raise the awareness of craft by offering consumers the chance to see it, feel it, engage with it and purchase it – and hopefully develop a life long affinity for craft in all its forms. The Crafts Council of Ireland area brings all of the craft activities into one key location – focused around an interactive garden that highlights 'growing your garden with craft'.

The Craft Avenue will be situated at the heart of the craft area. It will encompass approximately 20 – 25 craft stands (depending on demand and the sizes of stands required) – in outdoor, all-weather/weatherproof and lockable stalls. Please note – the stands are not in the usual marquee format.

This area will be promoted to visitors in advance of the show and will feature prominently in the Bloom website. In addition it will be highlighted in the Bloom catalogue and on signage throughout the show.

Selection Process
In order to ensure quality and consistency, all craft exhibitors must pass an independent selection process – organised / administered by the Crafts Council of Ireland. Applicants must be registered with the Crafts Council of Ireland.

Successful applicants will then be contacted by the Bloom sales team by the third week in May, regarding confirming and booking stands. 

The decision of the selection panel is final. All those selected will be offered a space at Bloom at the discounted rate of €800 for a 2x2m stall excluding VAT. Double stands are available. Successful applicants must ensure that their stand is staffed for the duration of the show.

Applicants who do not pass selection may be offered space in the Grand Pavillion, at the standard rate of €242psm (including shell).

Selection Fee
A processing fee of €25 will apply to all applications, so you need to post this fee to the Crafts Council. This fee is non-refundable and will entitle successful applicants to a listing in the CCoI information brochure at Bloom.

Deadline for completed applications is Tuesday, 10 May 2011.

Purls has further information and the application form, but you can also contact Nicola at the Crafts Council of Ireland directly at nicola@ccoi.ie