Emo Court and Parklands will host a major new one-day business and sporting event this May, which is expected to attract up to 5,000 visitors to the iconic Laois landmark.
Shine 2022 is a one-day extravaganza that will allow “Laois businesses to showcase their products and services in a tradeshow style event” while simultaneously hosting a gruelling ‘Fittest Club in Ireland’ competition comprised of 32 sports clubs from around the country.
Organisers have said that it’s “a unique event with a perfect blend of business, sport and tourism in attracting people to Laois”.
The event will take place in Emo Court on Saturday, May 21, and was officially launched in the Heritage Hotel in Killenard this evening.
Preliminary plans had been in place to run this event in 2020 though they had to be shelved at the time because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It has now been revived and it is hoped that it will become an annual event that can be expanded in the coming years.
The event will be free to attend with exhibitors paying a fee to have a stand and teams paying €750 to take part in the ‘Fittest Club in Ireland’ competition which will have a €10,000 prize fund.
The tradeshow will be set up in such a way that the ‘Fittest Club’ competition, which will begin with the prelimary rounds at 9am, will be in an arena in the centre and will culminate with the Grand Finale at 4.30pm.
The location of the site on Emo Court will be to the front of the main house just to the right of Wellingtonia Avenue.
Martin Crowley, the first president of the relaunched Laois Chamber of Commerce, is chairing the organising committee and the event is being organised by the Chamber, the Office of Public Works, who run Emo Court, and Emo GAA club.
It is also being supported by Laois Tourism and Laois County Council with local business Finline Furniture as the main sponsors. Event sponsors include Powerpoint Engineering, Midland Legal Solicitors, Alpha Wireless and Clement Herron Auctioneers.
“Shine 2022 will offer a massive platform for Laois businesses to showcase their products and services in a trade show style event in the magnificent Emo Court Estate,” said chairman Martin Crowley at the launch.
“It will also offer sports clubs the chance to compete against each other in a way that will test the athletes both physically and mentally while showing the power of teamwork that’s required to become Ireland’s Fittest Club.
“Thanks to the amazing financial help of our sponsors, this event will be free admission on the day which promises to be a great family day out for everyone.”
The 32 participating clubs will come from a range of sporting backgrounds including soccer, GAA, basketball, athletics, swimming and boxing.
Caragh Burns-Sharma, Chairperson of Laois Tourism, added: “We are delighted that another exciting festival is joining the calendar of events in Laois.
“Shine will be a great event, in a stunning setting, with something for everyone. Congratulations to the organisers for their foresight and hard work and we are really looking forward to the inaugural Shine festival.”
Caroline Hofman, CEO of Laois Chamber, highlighted: “Shine is sure to be a well-supported and competitive event, attracting a huge number of visitors on the day so it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your Laois-based business, products and services in an outdoor, trade show style event with the scenic backdrop of Emo Court House.
“Laois Chamber are looking forward to welcoming our members and the wider Laois business community to this trade show style event which will be taking place in tandem with Shine, ensuring a terrific opportunity for businesses to showcase what they offer.
“Well done to everyone involved in making Shine 2022 happen.”
Alison Browne, President of Laois Chamber, also added: “A great new event, in a beautiful location, Shine will showcase Laois for fun and for business.
“Well done to Emo GAA for their fabulous foresight in creating this new event which will grow from strength to strength. Laois Chamber are delighted to be part of this exciting event. Mark it in your diary, Saturday 21st May, an event not to be missed.”
If you are interested in getting involved on the day by entering a team or showcasing your business on the day against the beautiful backdrop of Emo Court and Parklands, please visit www.shineinemo.ie
For any sports teams or business enquiries, please contact Martin Crowley on 087 8181444.
For anyone interested in exhibiting their Laois business or services on the day, please contact Alison Browne on 087 2617467.
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