European expansion for US footwear show

摘要

In a further indication of the growing demand for new innovations in footwear, the Materials Show, held four times each year in the US, has come to Europe. Organised and owned by American Events, the fair specialises in footwear for the sports and outdoor sectors, and showcases a range of dedicated materials, including components and fabrics. It has a Northwest Show which has been running for 25 years in Portland, Oregon, and a Northeast Show, which has been going for 15 years in Wilmington, near Boston in Massachusetts. Each edition is held every six months. The event organisers have now launched a European fair called the EU Materials Show, with the first edition held at the Old Truman Brewery in London on 1-2 May. Hisham Muhareb, the founder and show manager of American Events, told Twist that the decision to bring the fair to Europe, and the UK in particular, was made in response to requests from some major sports shoe labels to provide a showcase for materials suppliers here. "Brands reached out to us asking if we can bring suppliers to the UK, and we've been looking into it since then," he said. The first edition featured around 60 exhibitors and attracted more than 300 pre-registered visitors from labels such as Burberry, New Balance, Pentland, Clarks, Vans and Decathlon.