Young Entrepreneurs show their skills at Trade Fair

 Young people from Newry, Crossmaglen, Dundalk and Armagh were out in force at the Young Enterprise NI’s annual Trade Fair at Rushmere Shopping Centre last week.

Young Enterprise NI – the leading business education charity – helps bring business to life for young people with its annual calendar of Trade Fairs held at shopping centres across Northern Ireland.

The trade fair gives the students’ companies the opportunity to showcase their products, bring them to market and test their sales skills by trading with the general public.

Rushmere Shopping Centre Manager, Martin Walsh said “We’re delighted to continue to champion this important initiative designed to support and inspire our young entrepreneurs by learning how to make a dent in a highly competitive retail environment.

“Northern Ireland is overflowing with young, innovative talent. It is vital that we provide them with an outlet to showcase their talents and assist them in building upon their knowledge in how to succeed in our current economic climate. Each year the standard gets better and better and at Rushmere Shopping Centre, we are proud to provide a platform to present their efforts.”

Speaking about the trade fair, Carol Fitzsimons MBE, CEO of Young Enterprise said “At each of the trade fairs, the students not only have to impress customers, but also a panel of judges, with a variety of awards up for grabs, including a Social Media award, Best Salesperson and of course Best Overall Company.

“As the trade fairs are taking place across centres in Northern Ireland over the coming weeks, we are extending the invitation to friends and relatives of these young entrepreneurs to come along and support their local Young Enterprise initiative. Each year the standard at the trade fairs improves and we are looking forward to seeing what the student groups have come up with.”

Young Enterprise is a charity, supported by the Department of Education and local businesses.  This year’s prizes included support from the Department for Communities, to encourage student companies demonstrating commitment to social innovation across Northern Ireland.

Over 500 young people will be selling their very own products and offering shoppers something different to traditional retailers at various shopping centres across Northern Ireland as part of the Trade Fair tour.

For more information, visit YENI.co.uk to see how you can get involved with Young Enterprise through volunteering and fundraising opportunities.