"We were dedicated to delivering a show that would become a valuable resource to the footwear industry and all the feedback tells me we've done it!" Says Courtney Harold, director of the Materials Expo. "We have been pleased to welcome advanced product developers, through to design teams from leading brands such as Brown Shoe, Old Navy, K-Swiss, Vans, Burton, Quicksilver and Payless, among the many others who have been filling the aisles," she added.

Diane Stone, chief operating officer adds, "The new show has been an incredible success. Creating a unique business platform, we have united cutting-edge suppliers and serious customers from across the globe, within an established footwear marketplace. I really believe we have created the world's intellectual centre of footwear sourcing."

Doug Clark, vice president of The Timberland Co, commented, "The show is well on its way to becoming a key industry event for networking, relationship building, education, as well as innovation. It has proven to be a great venue to meet with new and existing suppliers, to share and discuss needs, resulting in suppliers better aligning themselves with their client's requirements."

Exhibitors showcased an array of forward thinking and avant-garde products and services at the Materials Expo. One of the key trends evident at the show was 'green' processes and business. Environmentally friendly products on display included, Lactae Hevea soles from Reltex, made from liquid Hevea milk, Reltex, unique and sustainable jute fibre products and Omnipel Technologies S.r.l's new fabric made from recycled plastic bottles and bamboo. Alongside many more green companies, also on display were hand crafted components made from natural raw product by Astarte and exquisite heels and soles from Martac, using unusual raw products such as bamboo.

An abundance of technological innovation was on display at the show, including a revolutionary 3D footwear scanner from Global Footwear Solutions and the unique possibilities in Silicone use demonstrated by Dow Corning. Milliken & Co chose the Materials Expo as a launch platform for its new polymeric colourant for synthetic leather - ViviTint™ - a dye which offers an environmentally friendly colour with glass like transparency.

The Korean Pavillion, housing members of KOTRA, displayed a large variety of exhibitors never seen in the US before, including Optim Co, showcasing eco-friendly sheet adhesive, Idea World, introducing it's unique air pumping head floating system for insoles and NanoTech Ceramics, displaying a new non buff/non UV bonding system.

The educational workshop programme was well received, with most workshops being fully subscribed. Reflecting the ethos of the show, there were two seminars focusing on innovation. Different in approach, the ARS Sutoria School presented a seminar about innovations that could be found at the show, while Spencer White scrutinized how to make innovation commercially successful. Also presented was an insight into Chinese business culture, with the final workshop taking place today looking into the hot topic of 'green' business, highlighting what to look for, and how to interview suppliers and ask them the right questions.

To find out more about the Materials at WSA Expo and Conference, visit www.materialsatwsa.com.

Press release
21 february 2008
THE MATERIALS AT WSA EXPO & CONFERENCE