A total of 11,238 sector operators visited this trade fair. These included 6,480 foreigners accounting for 58% of total visitors.
The 4,758 Italian visitors, representing 42% of the total, also confirmed their interest in an event that has become a must-visit.

Satisfaction was expressed by organisers of this fair, which thanks to this result confirms its role as the most important event in the business of volume footwear for large-scale distribution.

Italian and foreign buyers, and in particular footwear sector operators from Central Europe, who continue to be the main interlocutors at Expo Riva Schuh, are helped by the position of the event on the specialist fair calendar, which allows them to view collections well ahead of other events.

"After closure of the 69th edition", comments Roberto Pellegrini, President of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, "we can proudly stress Expo Riva Schuh's growth over the years not just in terms of size but above all in prestige, which represents a fixed point for the reference segment and also a tool for opening up to emerging markets through new trade channels and new business opportunities. Figures in fact show that buyers trust our event and our capacity to put them in touch with the most interesting range of volume products on a world level".

"And for June, which will mark the important milestone of our 70th edition", continues president Pellegrini, "we are working to emphasise the international role of the event with parallel happenings around the business-dedicated spaces".

Over the four-day event, operators got a chance to view products by 1125 exhibitors, 743 of them foreigners representing 33 countries, mostly on the fair premises, but also in the Palacongressi and Palameeting buildings and at some Hotels in Garda and the Casino in Arco.

"The great appeal this event holds", states Giovanni Laezza, Director of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, "depends on many factors, but obviously the type and number of exhibitors have over the years led to the success of this appointment. So much so that for the first time we used the Casino in Arco for a group of Asian companies that, otherwise, would have been left on the waiting list yet again due to lack of space".

"We are pleased", stresses Brigitta Bancher, event and internationalisation manager, "with the final figures and above all they make us feel confident about our next important challenge - the first edition of Expo Riva Schuh Middle East, the show for footwear and accessories in leather to be held from 17 to 19 February 2008 at the Expo Centre in Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, just ten or so kilometres out of Dubai".

Press release
Milan, 18 January 2008
Expo Riva Schuh