Waitlist for Expo Riva Schuh crosses the 300-mark

The announcement from its organisers came immediately after the conclusion of this year's event, which showcased 1,106 exhibitors in 31,554 square metres of exhibition space and attracted nearly 11,000 trade visitors.

Following the successful wrapping up of Expo Riva Schuh on June 17, the waitlist for exhibitors seeking to buy space at the next edition of the show in June 2009 has exceeded 300 and the organisers are planning anexpansion to accommodate some of them, announced Riva del Garda Fiere Congressi.

There are two waiting lists now - one for existing exhibitors seeking additional space and the second one for new exhibitors, it said.

Of the 1,106 exhibitors who took part in the just-concluded show that ran from June 14 to 17 at Riva del Garda in Italy, 730 were foreigners from 33 countries, showcasing their goods to buyers and representatives from large-scale distribution entities.

"Ours is a strongly business-oriented fair," said Giovanni Laezza, Director of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. "We have two waiting lists,
one for traditional exhibitors asking for more space and the other for new companies."

"We are also planning to expand our exhibition space which will allow us to increase the size of the fair," Laezza added.

The show has also acquired a glocal (global plus local) image, that manages to attract the whole world to Riva del Garda, while at the same time travelling the world with its own special features. "We have now reached a decisive moment," said Brigitta Bancher, the event manager.

"We had the presence of leading companies for different product types, which acted as a catalyst for great purchasing groups, chain stores and large-scale distribution operators."

In search of new trade channels and new strategic alliances, the Italian exhibition organiser is focusing on ties with emerging markets such as the UAE, Brazil, China and India. This has led to Riva del Garda Fierecongressi tying up with Expo Centre Sharjah to replicate its world-renowned footwear show in Sharjah.

Exporivaschuh Middle East will leverage on the global success and the winning formula of the show in Italy. The Middle East edition of the
exhibition will also accommodate those companies that could not exhibit in the Italian show.

Exporivaschuh Middle East will be hosted by Expo Centre Sharjah from February 9 to 11, 2009. The press conference to announce the second edition of the show was attended by Giovanni Laezza, Director of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, Brigitta Bancher, Manager of Expo Riva Schuh, Mr Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre of Sharjah, and Mr Fasahat Ali Khan, Advisor to the Chairman and Board of Directors of Expo Centre Sharjah.

In association with Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, Expo Centre Sharjah will reproduce the huge success of the Italian show here in the Middle East. The expertise of the Italian group in volume footwear and the strategic location and reach of Expo Centre Sharjah will combine to make the event a massive success.

The first edition of the show held earlier this year hosted 250 companies and brands and was attended by over 1,000 trade visitors mainly from the GCC countries. "The exhibition is an exclusive sourcing platform in the region for footwear, leather goods and leather accessories. It aims to cater to the growing needs of distribution and
retail chain outlets," said Mr Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre of Sharjah.

The February edition of the exhibition showcased high-volume, low-to-medium and medium-to-high-priced footwear collection, leather products, travelware, handbags and fashion accessories at all the four halls of Expo Centre Sharjah.

"Going by the response from exhibitors and visitors to the first edition of Exporivaschuh Middle East, the next edition of the show is all set to become the largest and the best showcase of footwear and leather products," said Mr Fasahat Ali Khan, Advisor to the Chairman and Board of Directors of Expo Centre Sharjah.

Footwear and leather products that will be on display include shoes, boots, slippers, sandals, wallets, briefcases, travel-ware, gloves, shoe
uppers, footwear components, shoe making components and materials, metal accessories for leather goods and shoes, part-processed and finished leather, miscellaneous leather products, pvc-coated synthetic leather, ladies bags, portfolio bags and pouches.

Exporivaschuh Middle East 2009 will be held in association with Riva del Garda Fierecongressi of Italy, and with the support of the Sharjah
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.