The 101st edition of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags opened this weekend (15 June), with some 1,300 exhibitors, brands and companies representing 40 nations filling 11 fully occupied exhibition halls covering more than 50,000sqm.
The area dedicated to bags, luggage and accessories hosts 47 companies from Bangladesh, China, Germany, India, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey. And a whole host of various events are taking place, with market focuses, fashion and trend talks, appointments with innovation and celebrations for the 101st edition.
Visitors at the show will enjoy the usual variety of offerings in terms of both product types and manufacturers with either their own brands or open to private labelling. The price ranges are also varied, spanning from €8 to €60, with a solid representation reaching up to €100 and above.
Sustainability is also a key focus: 18 per cent of exhibitors offer certified products. In addition, soft mobility, recyclable carpeting and ever-greener stands are just some of the initiatives put in place in favour of the environment.
The opening of the show’s 101st edition featured the presentation of “A step in history, 50 years of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags. 1974-2024, 100 successful editions” (produced by Foto Shoe 30, with graphic design by Edizioni AF), a monograph celebrating 50 years of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags (50 years because the show takes place twice a year!).
A book commemorating the birth and evolution of the first 100 editions of the event, spanning from 1974 to 2024; a retrospective aimed at creating momentum and directing our focus towards the future.
Celebrations for the milestone of these 101 editions involved the entire community; on Saturday, Sunday and Monday evening just gone, Olivi beach opened its doors for three evenings of music dedicated to the footwear community, but also to citizens and tourists.
“These initiatives underscore the team’s ability to innovate and the international stature of this trade fair,” said Roberto Pellegrini, President of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. “So much so that by year’s end, Riva del Garda Fierecongressi will invest €25 million to expand the exhibition centre, which needs to grow to accommodate the many new exhibitors who want to join the event.”
Looking at the event more generally, and revealing the secret to the success of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags, Mr Pellegrini added: “It all comes down to the vision of those who believed they could do business in a beautiful and relaxing location, and in recent years, the expansion towards international markets and the consistent effort to involve all major manufacturing countries worldwide.”
Alessandra Albarelli, Director of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, reiterated the same concept: “Thanks to our close cooperation with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), we have welcomed 150 new hosted buyers and journalists from 43 countries to the fair today.
“But we are not just focused on numbers; we are committed to being careful custodians of our community. To this end, we have developed demand and supply matching services such as the Market Focuses, Business Scout and an Artificial Intelligence-assisted Digital Platform. All tools that make it easier for buyers to find the products they are looking for by identifying their type, price range and style.”
The Summer edition of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags concludes tomorrow (18 June). Then, the show returns on 11-14 January 2025.
