The World Footwear Congress started this year based in Istanbul, Türkiye. In the organization where international speakers from the sector and the world’s leading company owners took part as speakers, innovations, the future of the sector and most importantly sustainability were highlighted, highlighting the green reform.
The 7th World Footwear Congress was hosted by Turkey. “If the world had a capital, it would be Istanbul.” as Napoleon said, it was organized in Istanbul. Speakers and visitors from many countries of the world attended the congress.
The opening speeches of the 7th World Footwear Congress, jointly organized by the European Footwear Confederation (CEC) and the Turkish Footwear Manufacturers Association (TASD), were made by host country TASD president Berke ICTEN and congress partner CEC and APICCAPS president Luis ONOFRE. And then, Istanbul Chamber of Industry president Şekib AVDAGIC, Istanbul governor Davut GUL opened the protocol and CEC president Luis ONOFRE and TASD president Berke ICTEN presented a plaque to Istanbul governor Davut GUL and the protocol was opened. He facilitated B2B meetings in the organization attended by many sector representatives from Turkey.
After breakfast and opening speeches, the Congress was held in four sessions over two days.
Matthew GRIFFIN, one of the world’s most famous futurists who regularly appears in the global media, discussed sustainability, circular economy, recycling, bio solutions, innovation and artificial intelligence and technology informative topics in the space age, in her presentation under 7 main headings.
Moderator, economics professor Erhan ASLANOGU hosted the speakers throughout the congress. In the first session, ECOALF Shoes and Accessories Director Miguel POMARES explained the processes of pioneering the transition to zero emissions in his speech on the theme of Sustainability.
The second speaker of the first session, Francesco CARPINETI, who virtualizes the collections of fashion brands in 3D and is the founder of Future Fashion, gave information about the detailing of the art community and her artificial intelligence-fashion adventure.
The third speaker of the first session, Yuxiang YANG, Li-Ning Brand Shoe innovator in the sports shoe industry, gave detailed information about product research, development, commercialization and production with her Engineering background.
The fourth speaker of the first session, LC WAIKIKI Deputy CEO, Tahsin AKAR, touched on globalization issues.
The fifth speaker of the first session, Alibaba.com Business Development expert Kubilay GENCKAN, explained the tricks of being successful in the e-commerce network.
The second session was moderated by Erkan ZANDAR, President of the Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association, who touched upon Brand development strategies and the Global Production market.
The first speaker of the second session, CLARKS CEO Jon RAM, talked about global targets with a focus on Sustainability.
The second speaker of the second session, Julia PEREZ DE TUDELA NAVARRO, a visionary of the Spanish PIKOLINOS brand Kaizen, continuous improvement and efficiency, talked about industry 5.0 and shared anecdotes including innovative solutions.
The third speaker of the second session, Manfred KRONEDER, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the world-famous German brand DEICHMANN, touched upon the fact that customer focus is a global powerhouse and the details of its sustainability targets.
The fourth speaker of the second session, Burak CELET, the CEO of DESA leather with a deep-rooted history established in Turkey and a visionary manager who speaks three languages except his own mother tongue, started his speech by commemorating the founder of his country, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. In addition to Turkey’s activities in the field of Leather on a significant scale, he also made important statements about leather clothing, leather products and accessories and sustainability.
The first speaker of the first panel of the third session, Federico BRUGNOLI, Founder and CEO of SPIN360, which develops technologically and organizationally innovative solutions, touched upon the issue of innovation in the field of Fashion Sustainability and innovative technologies for the planet.
The second speaker of the third session, Yuly FUENTES-MEDEL, senior consultant at MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT), touched upon innovation issues in art with her explanations based on science and sustainability from the perspective of Fashion.
The third speaker of the third session, VIBRAM GROUP Global Sustainability Director Marco GUAZZONI, explained the details of the sustainability targets.
The fourth speaker of the third session, FOOTWEAROLOGY CEO and Founding Partner Nicoline VAN ENTER, touched on the themes of creating a sustainable future and producing innovative solutions.
The fifth speaker of the third session, Luca Boltri, Vice President of the UNIC Italian Tanneries Association, representing the Italian tanning industry, which covers more than 60% of the European leather industry, talked about the sustainability action plans of tanneries and data on raw leather in his speech on the theme of Sustainability. He also explained important details about recycling solutions and waste water.
A cocktail was held on the night of the first day, and a gala was held with original music from Turkish culture.
The first speaker of the second panel of the third session, AMERICAN APPAREL AND SHOE ASSOCIATION (AAFA) President and CEO Stephen LAMAR, touched upon the legal frameworks of sustainability and emphasized sustainability at the supply chain and production point.
The second speaker of the second panel of the third session, Clémentine COLIN RICHARD, corporate director of the shoe brand PARABOOT, talked about how solution-oriented their companies are in terms of sustainability and made statements about corroding the sustainable future by providing training.
The third speaker of the second panel of the third session, Hua Lu, Deputy Secretary General of the China Leather Industry Association, talked about sustainability action plans in the leather industry and conveyed the data on the use of leather for shoes.
The third speaker of the second panel of the third session, Horacio MOSCHETTO, Secretary of the Argentinian Chamber of Shoe Industry, included sustainability in her speech by talking about the problems and solutions in shoe manufacturing processes in her regions.
The first speaker of the fourth session, Gennaro PIGLIACAMPO, CEO of Gensi Group S.r.l, talked about shoe production processes and also touched upon technological innovations.
The second speaker of the fourth session, THIERRY RABOTIN CEO Giovanna CEOLINI, also touched upon innovation, which is the current issues of the global shoe industry, in her speech themed on supply chain and sustainability.
As the last speaker, Sergio DULIO, President of the International Union of Footwear Technicians (UITIC), also touched upon the issue of innovation in design, emphasizing Green transformation and Sustainability.
The closing speech was made by the President of Turkish Footwear Manufacturers Association (TASD), Berke İÇTEN, and plaques were awarded. After the fourth session was completed at noon on the second day, the congress was completed with factory tours of the three main companies.
