Middle East edition of Expo Riva Schuh to be launched in 2008

Expo Centre Sharjah, the exhibitions wing of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), and Riva del Garda FiereCongressi, the main exhibition and conference centre in Italy's Trentino province for over ten years, have entered in to a strategic partnership to jointly organise the first international trade event dedicated to footwear and leather goods for the Middle East market. An agreement to this effect was signed between Riva del Garda FiereCongressi President Mr. Mauro Malfer and SCCI Chairman Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa at the Millenium Hotel in Sharjah on Tuesday, March 6, 2007. Expo Riva Schuh Middle East will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from February 10 -12, 2008. This was announced at a media briefing at the same venue following the signing of the agreement.

The media briefing was also attended by Mr. Giovanni Laezza, Director General, Riva del Garda - Fierecongressi, Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah, Ms. Brigitta Bancher, Internationalization Manager, Riva del Garda - Fierecongressi.

Expo Riva Schuh is an international bi-annual trade show dedicated to the footwear industry and is hosted by Riva del Garda FiereCongressi in Riva del Garda, located in the Trentino province of Italy . The event represents one of the major international crossroads in footwear business for volume product in the medium-price bracket, with a retail sale price of between 75 and 100 euros.

The 67th edition of the show, which was held from January 13 - 16, 2007, featured over 1,100 exhibitors of which 731 were from 35 countries. It displayed the 2007/2008 collections for autumn and winter. The event registered record participation of footwear manufacturers and attendance of trade buyers from across the globe.

"Expo Riva Schuh is the world's most important volume footwear trade show," said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of SCCI, at the media briefing.

"The show, given the profile, attracts key decision makers and professionals from across the global shoe industry and is an ideal networking opportunity," he added.

Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa further said: "Currently there are no specialised trade events for the footwear industry in the Middle East. Our need for partnership with an organiser of international repute like Riva del Garda FiereCongressi that specialises in footwear, arises out of this fact. Expo Riva Schuh is an established international trade show that focuses specifically on the footwear industry and we are confident that by hosting its Middle East edition, the vacuum that currently exists in the region as a result of the absence of an exclusive show for the sector, will be filled."

Expo Riva Schuh Middle East, besides footwear, will also be featuring leather accessories.

"This partnership with Expo Centre Sharjah is important because it is the first agreement of its kind in the Middle East, with a foreign fair dedicated exclusively to the world of leather," said Mr. Mauro Malfer, president of Riva del Garda FiereCongressi.

"Expo Riva Schuh, which is one of the major international trade events for the volume production footwear business, through this initiative intends to present itself in new markets and put its trade fair know-how at the disposal of local buyers. The Middle East, in particular, represents a very interesting trade frontier for the market of footwear and accessories in leather," he added.

Providing details about the profile of Expo Riva Schuh, Mr. Malfer said:"Global thinking and local action have always been part of the DNA of our event held against the magnificent background of Riva del Garda. Every year we attract over 1000 exhibitors, of whom 70% are foreigners. The very high percentage (99.5%) of confirmations from one edition to another is confirmation of our competence and credibility, not only in the Italian market, but across the globe. This is why we have high expectations from this new initiative."

According to the organisers of Expo Riva Schuh Middle East, the debut edition of the event will occupy a surface area of more than 2500 m² net, and will host around 200 exhibitors including leading manufacturers in the global footwear and leather accessories industry.

Commenting on the suitablity of hosting an event of Expo Riva Schuh's stature in the region, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa said: "The Middle East region is currently booming and one of the fastest growth areas in the world. Consumer demand and consumption is at an all time high. Within the region, the UAE has been at the forefront in terms of political and economic reforms. It is my belief that the UAE, particularly Sharjah, with its strategic geographic location and impressive infrastructure, is ideal for hosting an event like Expo Riva Schuh."

The hosting of Expo Riva Schuh will be another addition to Expo Centre Sharjah's bouquet of highly successful trade shows. Expo Centre Sharjah, which has been a pioneer in the exhibitions industry in the region since 1977, is today considered to be the Middle East's most integrated exhibitions hub. Currently, it organises more than 20 B2B, B2C, and solo country shows in a year.

"Expo Riva Schuh Middle East will attract key decision makers and professionals from across the global footwear industry and will be an ideal networking avenue for those who are eyeing the lucrative Middle East market," said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa.

In his concluding remarks on the new partnership, Mr. Malfer said: "With this new international appointment, Expo Riva Schuh intends to further enhance its position as the world's leading organiser for medium-volume footwear trade shows and also extend the fair's popularity in other markets and become a tool par excellence for penetration into new markets."