A major showcase event, aimed at promoting Orkney’s food, drink and creative sectors, is set to take place in the islands next week.
The two-day long initiative - organised jointly by Creative Orkney (formerly Orkney Crafts Association) and Orkney Food and Drink and funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Orkney Islands Council through the Orkney Marketing programme – will give key industry and media contacts the opportunity to meet with local producers and manufacturers.
Twenty-four delegates from throughout the UK are expected to take part in the showcase, which gets underway on Tuesday (11 September).
The showcase event will also mark the launch of the rebranded Orkney Crafts Association, which has formally changed its name to Creative Orkney, complete with a new logo and refreshed website.
Edgar Balfour, project manager for Orkney food, drink and crafts, said: “It was felt that the name Creative Orkney better represented the diversity and quality of the work being produced by the members of the former Orkney Crafts Association. However, the aims of the organisation remain the same - to represent and help promote Orkney’s incredibly talented creative businesses.”
Visits to local food, drink and creative businesses are planned over the two day showcase event, along with tours of local attractions, and a special Orkney dinner event.
Mr Balfour explained: “Our aim is to give buyers, industry contacts and trade journalists the chance to come to Orkney and see first-hand what we’re doing here.
"Whilst many of our local food, drink and creative businesses regularly attend trade fairs and events on the mainland, this is an opportunity for some of their best contacts and customers to experience everything we offer in Orkney, at source."
He added: “We hope that this exposure to our way of life, our beautiful islands and our approach to business, with its commitment to quality and cooperative ethos, will enhance the important relationships our local firms rely on, and create important new industry connections.”
The Digital Orkney project has been part financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Orkney LEADER 2014-2020 Programme.