The 96^th edition of the exhibition, which ended on the past 18^th of January, received 3500 buyers, 70% of which came from abroad, enabling them to close strategic partnerships with the 430 exhibitors showcasing their collections. New  exhibition formats and digitization characterized its organization, which saw the implementation of Digital Connection, a digital platform based on an efficient Artificial Intelligence system, and the activation of hybrid exhibition solutions that allowed companies unable to attend in-person to display their samples and manage business negotiations remotely.

According to the organization, “the confirmation of this event despite the complexities experienced during this period has been a strong message for the whole Footwear and Accessories sector. The positive response from the operators that took part in this winter Edition has also been  an indicator that the Industry is motivated and ready for the restart, encouraged by a firm safety protocol that allows them to experience the Exhibition more comfortably”.

Future Fashion start-up was the winner of the anticipated first edition of Innovation Village Retail, the project implemented with the coordination of Alberto Mattiello, a member of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags’ Scientific Committee, which aims at identifying the best start-ups to be encouraged, incubated and accelerated.  

“The debut of Innovation Village brought together start-ups, fast and innovative by definition, with more traditional fashion and footwear companies. For us, this new initiative proved an excellent opportunity to make ourselves known, to gain validation for our innovative idea and its usefulness for the sector by talking directly to exhibitors and buyers. Many showed interest in our activity and gave us the opportunity to consider useful ideas for improving our product”, commented Andrea Carpineti, CEO & Co-founder of Future Fashion.

Another highlight was the presentation of the contest “Design Kind Leather”, organized in cooperation with the Brazilian group JBS Couros and the magazine Foto Shoe 30, intended at the sector’s professional designers, to promote values such as sustainability, the recycling of materials and better resource management. Registration for the competition, which will be held annually, is expected to  open in the next few days. Candidates will be selected by a jury of experts and the projects of the three winners will be exhibited at the next edition of the show, scheduled from the 11^th to the 14^th of June 2022.