Every organisation evolves to more effectively adapt to its environment, overcome challenges and strengthen its position. This same principle guides Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, which from 10 to 13 January 2026 will once again host Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags.

The upcoming edition – which, as customary, opens the Autumn/Winter 2026–27 season – builds on the proven strengths of its offering, while further evolving its services (including several new ones) to provide certainty and support to international manufacturers and buyers.

In a world marked by profound geopolitical instability and constant shifts in production and consumption markets, Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags reaffirm their role as a space of genuine globalisation and an essential point of reference for the international footwear and leather goods industry.

EVOLUTION IN NUMBERS

The leading trade fairs dedicated to the production of footwear, bags and leather goods, luggage and travel accessoriesare recording figures for the winter edition that testify to their strength and appeal.

More than 1,000 brands and exhibitors will be present, representing 40 countries. The event’s geographical distribution reflects its global vocation: 40% of exhibitors are from Europe, while the remaining 60% come from non-European countries.

Looking more closely at country representation, China confirms its leading role with 33% of exhibitors, followed by Italy (16%), India (10%) and Turkey (9%).

Among the key new developments is the participation of Colombia as a new exhibiting country at Expo Riva Schuh, while for the first time, Gardabags will welcome a group of Argentine companies, further enriching the fair’s international profile.

Gardabags will feature over 80 companies at the January edition, evenly distributed across its three strategic areas: Brands, Sourcing4Bridge and Sourcing. A well-balanced and diverse showcase designed to meet the needs of every type of buyer, delivering on its promise to address market demand across different business models. Among the exhibiting brands are prestigious names such as Pelletteria Charlotte, Marina Galanti, Luana Ferracuti, Armata di Mare, Y-dry, Nannini, Caleidos, American Traveller and Lancetti.

Expo Riva Schuh, meanwhile, boasts a strong presence of well-established, internationally recognised brands, including Fly London, Tamaris, XTI, Valleverde, Marco Tozzi, S.Oliver, Mjus, Bronx, Inblu, Jomos, Laura Vita, Refresh, Levi’s Kids Footwear, Kangaroos, Lotto, Lee, Wrangler and O’Neill, offering visitors a comprehensive overview of collections for the upcoming season.

On the visitor side, the Hosted Buyer program once again confirms its effectiveness, with 120 hosted buyers: 15 focused exclusively on footwear, 30 on bags, and 75 interested in both sectors. These professionals come from 26 different countries.

EVOLUTION OF EVENTS

The program for the next edition features a total of 16 events. A rich and varied schedule encompassing innovation, trends and networking.

The Innovation Village, located in Area A2, will host 10 start-ups from 7 countries: Romania, the United States, Italy (with three projects), France (with two initiatives), the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and China. The startups will present their innovative ideas to the audience during three pitching sessions and compete in the Startup Competition, with the winner announced on the afternoon of Monday, 12 January.

The projects – selected by Retail Hub and the Scientific Committee composed of Enrico Cietta, Matteo Pasca and Alberto Mattiello – are: Irisphera (winner of the previous edition), Chainlane, Lab-go, Metreecs, Musthad, Onefit.ai, Secret view, Smartzeroing, Solaya, TotallyInStore.

To explore their proposals in more detail, click here.

The Highlights Area, created in collaboration with Arsutoria, will host five events dedicated to consumer trends. In Hall B4, the three sessions dedicated to footwear and sneakers will take place at 2pm on Saturday (men’s and women’s footwear), Sunday (sneakers) and Monday (men’s and women’s footwear). In Hall A2, the two sessions dedicated to men’s and women’s bags are scheduled for 10am on Sunday and Monday.

The samples showcased during these events will represent the four key trends of the season:

• “Opulent Grace” explores the return of Baroque influences. Velvets, brocades and metals become luminous, tactile surfaces, with gold and black balanced in a design language that blends theatricality with contemporary restraint.
• “Heritage Remix” looks to the past as living material, combining woven fabrics, tartan and handcrafted leathers with unexpected geometries and metallic details.
• “Denim Renaissance” marks the definitive rise of denim as a field for creative and inclusive experimentation, where washes, embroidery and patchwork transform it into a symbol of freedom.
• “Wild Allure” interprets the instinctive power of nature through animal textures, hair-on leathers and irregular surfaces that express a raw yet urban appeal.

The Expo Riva Nights format will once again offer the opportunity to combine business and networking in a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere at the PalaVela, within the Riva del Garda Conference Centre. An event made possible thanks to the support and collaboration of key partners: Ningbo Jade, CLP, G&F, L&C and Guogen.

The evolution of the fair is also reflected in its digital counterpart.  Through the official event app, visitors can access the full program of events, the exhibitor and product catalogue, the interactive map, manage their appointment agenda with exhibitors, and obtain information on transfer and shuttle services. Featured exhibitors include Gardabags companies (highlighted in pink), as well as exhibitors presenting children’s products only (highlighted in yellow).

EVOLUTION AS INNOVATION

In Hall A2, the new Showcase Area will be introduced – designed as a space in which to present selected samples of bags, leather goods and travel accessories from the collections of Gardabags exhibitors, all unified by a single colour theme inspired by the warm tones of the winter season. The Showcase Area has been created to highlight Gardabags product offerings, strengthening and supporting the storytelling of the fair’s three key sectors.

Among the new features is the launch of the Garda Trentino Lounge, a new hospitality space for media, partners and guests located in Hall D, developed in partnership with Garda Dolomiti Azienda per il Turismo. The area has been conceived as a sensory and immersive experience, evoking the outdoor lifestyle of the Upper Garda region.

This new space reinforces one of the fair’s core objectives: the inseparable bond between the event and its host territory.  Visitors will thus be able to truly experience the excellence of the Garda landscape and hospitality, transforming professional meetings into a complete, multisensory experience.

Additional new features designed to enhance the trade fair experience include a new food area dedicated to pizza in Hall A3, and a stand distributing promotional gadgets in Hall C3.

Paraphrasing the renowned historian Arnold Joseph Toynbee, Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags are “a movement and not a condition; a voyage and not a harbour.” They nurture their evolutionary spirit by delivering events with a truly global reach – events capable of hosting a community of professionals, helping them to continually strengthen networking and business opportunities.