The Hong Kong-based leather trade fair expects to welcome over 20 global leather associations and more than 800 exhibitorsin the edition which marks the fair’s return home– it was absent for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic and then, it was held in Dubai for another two.

From the 19 thto the 21 stof March, visitors will be able to attend at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre the three co-located events, APLF Leather & Materials+ and Fashion Access, for the much-anticipated networking opportunities, new insights and to devise plans for the year ahead. After the move home, all eyes will be on the attendance of APAC and Chinese buyers.

Another highlight will be the 4thedition of the Global Footwear Executive Summit, which will bring together experts and decision-makers from various segments of the footwear industry on the afternoon of the 20 thof March. The aim is to address the industry’s key challenges and opportunities in terms of innovation in footwear production, materials, and brand strategy.

The organisation has now updated its programme( see the previous article) and the first session, which will focus on exploring solutions for the “current scenario, where the demand for footwear is significantly lower than the available supply”, will be moderated by William Hongfrom the Hong Kong Footwear Association, with c ontributions of Benjamin I, partner at Materialise China, Lazaro Rogerio da Silva, Director Footwear Technician Design at Gap, and Rosy Wang, Category Director of Footwear at Gemo Buying Office.

For more information about the APLF 2024 and the Global Footwear Executive Summit, visit the following website.