The most recent international events dedicated to footwear technology — from the UITIC Congress in Shanghai to the Italian trade fairs attended by the Scientific Committee of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags — have clearly revealed a phase of profound transformation. These innovations are not confined to research laboratories; they will find concrete expression at Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags, organized by Riva del Garda Fierecongressi from 10 to 13 January 2026.
As the first international trade fairs of the Autumn/Winter 2026–2027 season, the Riva del Garda exhibitions represent a crucial meeting point for the entire supply chain. Buyers and distributors will witness how new technologies are being integrated into collections aimed at both large-scale production and premium markets.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEW INDUSTRIAL MODELS
The UITIC Congress highlighted the central role of AI as a real “nervous system” linking design, production, and logistics. AI enables forecasting, resource optimization, waste reduction, and faster development — while human input remains essential. Clear governance rules are needed to guide its use.
This approach aligns perfectly with Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags’ Innovation Village Retail, where startups like Sangrove, IFReturns, and ACBC demonstrate how data and algorithms enhance sustainability and competitiveness through smarter planning, returns management, and material selection.
LIGHTWEIGHT AND CIRCULAR SOLE MATERIALS
Material innovation is at the core of product transformation. Recent developments in sole production target performance, sustainability, and safety while complying with tighter regulations. New gas-based expansion techniques make PU, EVA, and even TPU lighter, fostering strategic collaborations between machinery and chemical suppliers. Automation is accelerating due to labor shortages in high-risk environments, while co-moulding technologies reduce adhesives and chemicals, improving safety and efficiency.
Circularity is also key: replacing thermosetting with thermoplastic materials enables easier recycling, from mechanical and chemical processes to advanced pyrolysis methods — provided materials are correctly collected and separated.
AN ECOSYSTEM OF INNOVATION
The concept of an “innovation ecosystem” — cooperation between companies, research centers, and academia — is a defining theme of both UITIC and Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags. Within Innovation Village Retail, collaborations turn into tangible solutions: virtual fitting rooms, predictive supply-chain planning, repair services, and material reuse platforms.
“Our fairs are not just showcases but spaces for dialogue on the forces reshaping the market,” says Alessandra Albarelli, General Manager of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. “The innovations seen in Shanghai show that the future of footwear and accessories will be shaped by technologies bridging luxury and mass production. Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags is where these transformations become real business opportunities.”
FROM INNOVATION TO MARKET
In a world marked by fragmented supply chains and new trade barriers, innovation is the key competitive lever. At Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags 2026, companies will explore how ideas evolve into tangible collections — lighter, sustainable, and AI-driven.
The direction is clear: the footwear industry is moving towards smarter, more sustainable, and more integrated production models. Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags remains the global bridge connecting innovation with the market.
