The Republic's economic success has created more consumers needing professional financial services. This demand is being addressed by "Money 2000", an exhibition to be held at the RDS this May.

A range of financial service providers - banks, building societies, independent financial advisers, mortgage brokers, stockbrokers, estate agents, property companies, pension providers and investment funds - will display investment opportunities.

Products and services on display will include mortgages, pensions, savings, loans, credit card services, equities and equity-linked investments, tax-based schemes, Irish and overseas property.

"Never has the timing been so right to stage such an exhibition," says Ms Maura Byrne, managing director of Money 2000 Exhibition. "With a GDP growth rate of 8.5 per cent over a five-year period, and share ownership increasing from 3 to 4 per cent in the early 1990s to over 20 per cent in 1999, today's consumers are actively looking for ways to better manage and invest their money."

The exhibition gives consumers the opportunity to meet financial services providers and to evaluate their products. Exhibitors expected to participate include forestry funds, regulatory and industry bodies and venture capitalists.

Displays include a simulated share dealing room where visitors will be given a notional £1 million and 15 minutes to test their dealing and investment skills by competing against 19 other investors on dealing screens.

Some 15,000 people are expected to attend the exhibition. The event is a joint venture between two management companies, Ms Maura Byrne and CPG Ltd. The Irish Times is acting as media sponsor.