Riva del Garda was host to the centenary edition of Expo Riva Schuh from the 13th to the 16th of January. In a commemorative edition, the figures are also celebratory. According to the organisers, 9,000 buyers attended the trade fair (80% from Europe and 20% from the rest of the world), exceeding all expectations, especially in a context facing very challenging circumstances. "There was a notable surge in participation from Italy, the UK and Poland. Visitor numbers from Germany and France were down somewhat, indicative of the relative decline in these countries’ respective economies”, said a statement from the organisation.
The composition of buyers was also quite interesting: 30.4% were from the retail sector, 19.3% from distribution and 5.2% from e-commerce and 15.5% from manufacturers. Of the buyers, 58.9% played a decision-making role, either as a company owner or head buyer.
While the 100 candles took centre stage at the January edition, offering a preview of the upcoming autumn/winter 2024–25 collections, other figures confirm the event’s strength. There were 1,300 exhibitors, including companies and brands from 39 countries (+15% compared to the January 2023 edition).
"The January 2024 edition will long be remembered not only for its impressive statistics but also its Celebration Night festivities”, says the organisation. "A memorable and extraordinary moment”, commented Paolo Villa, President of ASSOPROV, "that recreated the atmosphere and spirit of the early days, when people would meet on the shores of Lake Garda to do business and forge relationships”.
"We focused on getting to know more about exhibitors’ production and the market dynamics our visitors face. We have cultivated important relationships with institutions and trade associations to facilitate the exchange of valuable information and collaborate on projects that offer tangible benefits to the industry”, stated Alessandra Albarelli, General Manager of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi.
A trade fair which surpassed all expectations
Portugal was represented by 25 companies at one of the most important international footwear fairs. And the balance seems to be very positive among the exhibitors.
For Pedro Alves, this edition of Riva "was the best in the last four years”. The Cool Gray head is very positive about his company’s participation and believes that "it was a step forward for the company and also for the sector”. "The market has changed a lot in recent years, especially since the pandemic, and it’s unlikely we will see editions like this again, but it was an extremely positive one, especially due to the quality of the visitors”.
Pedro Carlos felt the same way. "This fair has exceeded all expectations by a hundred times”. Plumex’s strongman admits that "although we don't know what will happen in the future, what was sown at this fair was very good”.
The most positive aspect for both companies was the contact with new customers. "It was an important event, mainly to contact new customers, which for us is the most important aspect of attending a trade fair. It’s up to us to follow up these contacts”. Although he believes that the trade fair model should be adapted to modern times – less time, lower costs, more concentrated – these events are, according to Pedro, "irreplaceable”. "Trade fairs are a meeting place with existing customers, but above all with new ones. The pandemic has shown us how relevant online can be, but it’s no substitute for meeting someone unexpectedly at a trade fair. This new potential customer is almost unreachable online, we never have the same tools as we have in a face-to-face meeting”. For Pedro Carlos, most of the contacts made were with "new visitors, from new countries”.
A commemorative edition
"An increasingly united community dedicated to strengthening the international footwear and bag business”. The celebrations of the exhibition’s 50-year history brought together 16 trade associations representing all the main producing countries in Riva del Garda.
A path that is already being paved, given the presence at the fair of key international players and representatives of the most influential associations and the most important global events. "It was crucial for us to convey our vision of the industry’s future to them”, concluded Albarelli. "This 100th edition serves as confirmation that the innovations implemented in recent years, including new digital, business and marketing services, are genuinely enhancing the value of the event format”.
The beginning dates to 1974 when the founders of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags first conceived the idea of creating an event dedicated to international buyers, films and books ended with the phrase "The End”. This is no longer the case, and today the 100th edition of the Riva del Garda exhibition does not end with the word "end”.
On the contrary, the celebration of the 50 years of history of one of the world’s most important footwear, handbag and accessories fairs will continue with the next event, which will take place from the 15th to the 18th of June.
The composition of buyers was also quite interesting: 30.4% were from the retail sector, 19.3% from distribution and 5.2% from e-commerce and 15.5% from manufacturers. Of the buyers, 58.9% played a decision-making role, either as a company owner or head buyer.
While the 100 candles took centre stage at the January edition, offering a preview of the upcoming autumn/winter 2024–25 collections, other figures confirm the event’s strength. There were 1,300 exhibitors, including companies and brands from 39 countries (+15% compared to the January 2023 edition).
"The January 2024 edition will long be remembered not only for its impressive statistics but also its Celebration Night festivities”, says the organisation. "A memorable and extraordinary moment”, commented Paolo Villa, President of ASSOPROV, "that recreated the atmosphere and spirit of the early days, when people would meet on the shores of Lake Garda to do business and forge relationships”.
"We focused on getting to know more about exhibitors’ production and the market dynamics our visitors face. We have cultivated important relationships with institutions and trade associations to facilitate the exchange of valuable information and collaborate on projects that offer tangible benefits to the industry”, stated Alessandra Albarelli, General Manager of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi.
A trade fair which surpassed all expectations
Portugal was represented by 25 companies at one of the most important international footwear fairs. And the balance seems to be very positive among the exhibitors.
For Pedro Alves, this edition of Riva "was the best in the last four years”. The Cool Gray head is very positive about his company’s participation and believes that "it was a step forward for the company and also for the sector”. "The market has changed a lot in recent years, especially since the pandemic, and it’s unlikely we will see editions like this again, but it was an extremely positive one, especially due to the quality of the visitors”.
Pedro Carlos felt the same way. "This fair has exceeded all expectations by a hundred times”. Plumex’s strongman admits that "although we don't know what will happen in the future, what was sown at this fair was very good”.
The most positive aspect for both companies was the contact with new customers. "It was an important event, mainly to contact new customers, which for us is the most important aspect of attending a trade fair. It’s up to us to follow up these contacts”. Although he believes that the trade fair model should be adapted to modern times – less time, lower costs, more concentrated – these events are, according to Pedro, "irreplaceable”. "Trade fairs are a meeting place with existing customers, but above all with new ones. The pandemic has shown us how relevant online can be, but it’s no substitute for meeting someone unexpectedly at a trade fair. This new potential customer is almost unreachable online, we never have the same tools as we have in a face-to-face meeting”. For Pedro Carlos, most of the contacts made were with "new visitors, from new countries”.
A commemorative edition
"An increasingly united community dedicated to strengthening the international footwear and bag business”. The celebrations of the exhibition’s 50-year history brought together 16 trade associations representing all the main producing countries in Riva del Garda.
A path that is already being paved, given the presence at the fair of key international players and representatives of the most influential associations and the most important global events. "It was crucial for us to convey our vision of the industry’s future to them”, concluded Albarelli. "This 100th edition serves as confirmation that the innovations implemented in recent years, including new digital, business and marketing services, are genuinely enhancing the value of the event format”.
The beginning dates to 1974 when the founders of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags first conceived the idea of creating an event dedicated to international buyers, films and books ended with the phrase "The End”. This is no longer the case, and today the 100th edition of the Riva del Garda exhibition does not end with the word "end”.
On the contrary, the celebration of the 50 years of history of one of the world’s most important footwear, handbag and accessories fairs will continue with the next event, which will take place from the 15th to the 18th of June.