Media Release - 28 August 2023
One of Westmeath’s best small businesses will get a chance to exhibit their business to almost 300,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships next month as part of the Local Enterprise Village.
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— Westmeath County Council (@westmeathcoco) August 29, 2023
One of Westmeath’s best small businesses will get a chance to exhibit their business to almost 300,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships next month as part of the Local Enterprise… pic.twitter.com/vGNO6GiOBo
Klaas Kickz Ltd who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Westmeath are an innovative company selling colour coded football boots, that come with online training videos, to help children learn football through colours and become more confident.
The initiative of the local enterprise offices (LEOs) will see over 30 small businesses from across the Country take a stand in the Local Enterprise Village in the heart of the Ploughing Championships, opening their businesses up to almost 300,000 prospective customers across the 3 days of the event.
The initiative of the local enterprise offices was launched by Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond T.D. and will be open as part of the Ploughing Championships taking place in Ratheniska, County Laois, from 19 to 21 September this year.
Christine Charlton, Head of Enterprise Westmeath said, “The National Ploughing Championship is one of the biggest occasions on the Irish calendar and there are very few events that draw a crowd as large as this over 3 days. For our small businesses this is a huge opportunity to engage with thousands of prospective customers every day and this could have a significant impact on their business.
“We have been working with Klaas Kickz, c/o Mark Connaughton, Athlone on their marketing and merchandising for the event so they can maximise this amazing opportunity. There’s something for everyone in the Local Enterprise Village.”
Some of the clients involved this year cover areas such as kids clothing & games, agtech products, luxury bathing and skincare products, artisan food and drink producers, sustainable clothing and beauty products and range of innovative products from Ireland’s best small businesses. Year on year the Local Enterprise Village proves to be one of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Ploughing Championships.
Neale Richmond, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, said; “The Local Enterprise Village is a fantastic initiative from the Local Enterprise Offices. For these small businesses, many only in their early years, to get a chance to have a stand at the Ploughing Championships is a significant milestone for them. The opportunity to meet with thousands of people at the Local Enterprise Village, which is one of the popular stands at the Ploughing is going to be great boost to their business. I’m looking forward to getting down to the Village myself next month and meeting them all in person and sampling all the great products and services on show.”
NPA President James Sutton said “It is marvellous to see that so many diverse and impressive businesses will be partaking in this year’s ‘Local Enterprise Village’ at the National Ploughing Championships taking place in Ratheniska, Co Laois from 19 to 21 September. This is a wonderful opportunity for these small businesses to showcase their products & wares to the large number of visitors that the Ploughing attracts.”
The Local Enterprise Village is just one of a number of initiatives that the local enterprise offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the Country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day, and Local Enterprise Showcase. The local enterprise offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland.
Established in 2014, the local enterprise offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception eight years ago, the local enterprise offices have helped create over 25,000 jobs across the Country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice, and financial supports to small businesses. For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie
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For further information:
Local Enterprise Office Westmeath.
Áras an Chontae, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 FH4N
044 9338945
Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 29/08/2023
