EXPO RIVA SCHUH AND GARDABAGS

EVOLVING IN A CHANGING WORLD

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With 8,000 attendees from over 100 countries, the 103rd edition of Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags came to a close. Attendance grew from Poland, the UK, Africa and the USA, while numbers from Germany remained steady. The event, which kicked off the Spring/Summer 2026 season, featured the debut of the renewed Gardabags format - a launch met with excellent success. There was strong participation in the numerous events designed not only to drive business, but also to promote networking and innovation. It was also announced that, over the next three years, the expansion works on the exhibition centre will be completed.

“The big fashion brands understood that the sneaker had to change - and they succeeded in changing it. We now have a sports shoe that's a ballet flat, and a ballet flat that's a sports shoe.” This was one of the insights shared by Maria Cristina Rossi, teacher at Arsutoria School, with the large audience attending trend talks in the Highlights Area at Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags.

Her observation captures, in simple terms, the much broader and more complex transformations affecting not just fashion, but the entire market. But how can we respond to a shifting landscape? The key concept is “Knowing How to Become”. “Knowing How to Become” refers to the ability of individuals and organisations to continually learn and adapt to ever-changing contexts, environments and situations.