GLOBAL LEATHER Announces New Show Dates for 2000, ’99 Show Wraps Up With Solid Traffic and Exceptional Education Program

In response to shifting production cycles and a strong voice from attendees to forge closer ties among manufacturers, suppliers, developers and line builders, GLOBAL LEATHER has changed the dates for its 2000 show to May 31 – June 1, 2000. The trade show will continue to be held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA.

“This new schedule provides a much more proactive approach to the buying process as well as averting conflicts with any other industry events,” reports Fawn Evenson, President, FIA. “In addition, the new dates will allow us to expand attendance from our Canadian and European audiences. With programs such as GLOBAL LEATHER and Global Learning, FIA is leading the charge to present more opportunities to conduct business on a global scale.”

GLOBAL LEATHER 1999 attracted high quality buyers in Boston this past July in what one exhibitor characterized as “Fantastic! Best show I’ve had in three years!” Visitors previewed new product offerings and state of the art materials from 240 exhibitors from around the world, including the U.S., Brazil, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and Taiwan.

“At a time when the marketplace continues to evolve and the domestic climate is wildly transitioning, GLOBAL LEATHER continues to prove its staying power by bringing together the primary manufacturers, suppliers, and developers from throughout the industry,” notes Evenson. “The outcome of this year’s show and the business that followed is clearly reflected in the fact that 65% of available exhibit space has already been booked for next year. We are confident that the new dates, requested by exhibitors and visitors alike, will make for a sold out show next June.”

Evenson announced the selection of the co-chairs for the 2000 program: Richard Larochelle, President, Irving Tanning Company; and Peter Dodge, Sr. VP of Manufacturing, The Rockport Company. Dodge reports, “GLOBAL LEATHER is setting the tone for the new millennium with robust changes; first, by changing the show dates to better align with purchasing cycles, and then, by bringing together the primary decision makers under one roof.”

“I am very pleased with the new June dates for both 2000 and 2001,” states Larochelle. “This is something the GLOBAL LEATHER Planning Committee called for, and the improved time frame will change the whole tenor of the show. The line builders and product development people, and our visitors from Europe and Canada, can now attend without conflicts.”

Global Learning, a half-day event dedicated to networking and knowledge, was held the day before GLOBAL LEATHER. Attendees raved about the professional tracks, which featured three major issues facing the industry today: The Road to New Products, The Leather Perspective, and New Technology. Industry executives learned about expanding business opportunities and profitability from all perspectives: manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and distributors. FIA plans to incorporate Global Learning as an annual component to the GLOBAL LEATHER show.

Global Learning will launch the 2000 show with Wednesday morning sessions on May 31, 2000, followed by the opening of GLOBAL LEATHER from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The show will continue on Thursday, June 1, 2000 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. This will allow visitors to attend Global Learning and GLOBAL LEATHER with only a one night hotel stay. The dates for 2001 fall on a Tuesday and Wednesday, June 12-13, 2001.

Footwear Industries of America is the only U.S. trade association for footwear manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers to the leather and allied trades. Its mission is to help members successfully compete in the Global Marketplace.

For more information about exhibiting at GLOBAL LEATHER 2000, contact J. Spargo & Associates, FIA’s exposition management team, at 1-800-811-5947.

Footwear Industries of America 
Susan Lapetina, 202-789-1420
E-mail: slapetina@fia.org

Press Release
Washington DC , September 10, 1999