Expo Riva is offering all companies and professionals working within the footwear, leather-goods and accessories sectors a live talk aimed at providing a time and space to reflect and compare views on the strategies adopted by the market to respond to the current Coronavirus health emergency. Open for all and due to be streamed live, the event should attract the interest of exhibitors, visitors, consortia, institutional organisations, journalists and bloggers.

“Encouraging innovation and the sector’s network: these are the objectives we have set ourselves to follow in the coming months to enable a rapid evolution of our Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags events. In this project, the #PLAYfashion live talks fit in perfectly, designed to be real platforms for discussion and information, where data and the latest market news become accessible to everyone thanks to the talks provided by leading players in the worldwide footwear sector. The appointment on the 22^nd of July will undoubtedly be of interest due to the prestige of its speakers, followed by that of the 29^th of September on the theme of retail and then one on the 10^th of November focused on international fashion trends”, commented Alessandra Albarelli, Managing Director of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi.

Providing a clear snapshot of the sector and discussing consumer trends, future predictions and potential ways of supporting the relaunch of the supply chain, transforming the crisis into an opportunity, will be Joao Maia – Managing Director of Apiccaps (Portugal), Leticia Sperb Masselli – Managing Director of the Brazilian Footwear Project (Abicalçados - Brazil), Aqeel Ahmed Panaruna – Chairman of CLE (Council for Leather Exports - India) and Li Yuzhong – Chairman of CLIA (Chinese Leather Industry Association) representing the various trade associations. Representing the exhibiting companies’ and buyers’ points of view, on the other hand, will be Elvio Silvagni – Chairman of Goldstar – Valleverde, Claudio Alessi – President of Bata Europe and Stephan Krug – Chairman of SABU Schuh Marketing Gmbh, who will be invited to provide an analysis of the interaction between supply and demand over the past few months and suggest unprecedented interpretations on new purchasing behaviours and expectations regarding the various sales channels. Claudia Schulz, freelance journalist and spokesperson for the German Association of the Footwear and Leather Goods Industry, and Matteo Pasca, Managing Director of AF Editions, will moderate and stimulate the discussions.

“The Covid Storm: From Difficulties To Relaunch,” the first live talk of the #PLAYfashion initiative, promoted by Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags, is due to take place on Wednesday 22^nd of July at 14:00 (Italian time). Speakers, details and registration all available at exporivaschuh.it