JANUARY 2026
FOOTWEAR
TRADESHOWS
CALENDAR
JANUARY TO JUNE
2026
Written by: Andrew Sia
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From the Desk of the Publisher
This calendar can be useful for those in the shoe industry to travel to the show. There are conferences and seminars relating to the industry which can also be very useful. It is an industry with potential to grow. I hope that our younger generation can study and grow with this up-and-coming industry which can use a lot of talents.
We have to know that the sneakers are dominating by major brands, like Nike, Adidas, Asics, and the like. But there are rooms for creating new brands where we can introduce technology, fashion and cultures. There are areas for us to explore.
Not forget to mention that there are crossovers for fashion and sneaker which can expand into one another’s marketing strategy. We have also seen examples like what the luxury brands are doing. Also, the sport brands, like Nike and Adidas are doing it.
Typical examples are, Pharrell Williams, a cultural figure known for trendsetting in music and fashion, also serving as the creative director for Louis Vuitton Men’s fashion. Virgil Abloh, a fashion designer, known for founding of luxury streetwear brand Off-White, who also joined Louis Vuitton. They have transformed the sneaker-fashion world.
Introduction
The sneaker market today is one of the most dynamic, culturally driven, globally influential segments in all of consumer goods. It sits across all intersection of fashion, sports, street culture, technology, celebrity influence, resale economics, and youth trends.
The global sneaker for athletic footwear is enormous. It is in the range of $140-150 billion annually, and it is expected to reach $200 billion by 2030. Its growth rate of 5-7% annually is coming from North America, China, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
Sneakers have become daily lifestyle shoes, and not just sports shoes. That is the biggest drive of growth.
We begin now our reporting for the shows as the following:
EXHIBITION CALENDAR
JANUARY 2026
Surf Expo January
January 7-9, Wednesday to Friday
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando
www.surfexpo.com
The show is featuring products for the watersports and coastal life industries, including surf, blue water, paddle, skate, swim, and footwear. Surf Expo is the largest and longest-running watersports tradeshow in the world.
This time it is in its 50th year anniversary.
Surf Expo is the world’s largest and longest-running tradeshow for surf, watersports, and coastal lifestyle brands. This year it is celebrating its 50th anniversary by continuing its role as the key B2B marketplace for launching products, connecting brands with retailers, and fostering industry growth. It has now also expanded significantly into the broader “Shoreline Outdoor” category. It brings together buyers around the globe, showcasing everything from surfboards and swimwear to outdoor gear. Its fashion shows and educational events are not to miss.
It is a vital event connecting over 750 exhibitors with thousands of retailers. It is a comprehensive platform for coastal and outdoor living and focus on wellness and resort wear.
Surf Expo commemorates 50 years since its founding in 1976. The highlight is the “Shoreline Outdoor” category. Its future growth is expanding beyond the ocean to lakes, rivers, and national parks.
It also facilitates business connections, career development, and promote sales. It is an opportunity for the entrepreneurs to explore multiple opportunities as presented at the show and I strongly recommended our youngsters to look into these opportunities seriously.
ISPO Beijing
China National Convention Center, Beijing
January 9-11, Friday to Sunday
www.ispo.com/en/beijing
It is a leading venue for sports exhibitions for the international sports industry. It is for retailers, brand managers, distributors, designers, athletes, media representatives.
ISPO Beijing is Asia’s leading trade fair for the sports and outdoor industry, showcasing innovations in snow sports, outdoor gear, fitness, textiles, and not forgetting urban lifestyle. It is serving as a key platform for international brands to connect with the booming Asian market, explore new trends, and fostering young businesses in a rapidly growing sector.
The show includes insightful seminars, workshops, and forums, such as the Asian Pacific Snow Conference and discussions are held on integrated sports developments.
It is a major event for people involved in the sports sector, offering inspiration, networking, and strategic overview of the industry’s direction in Asia, blending commerce, culture, and technology.
ISPO Beijing is organized by Messe München (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., the Chinese subsidiary of the German tradeshow company Messe München GmbH. The parent company organize this type of major sports and outdoor lifestyle trade fair in partnership with local entities, providing a platform for industrial professionals and showcasing innovations in gear, textiles, and technology.
Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags 2024
Riva del Garda, Italy
January 10-13, Saturday to Tuesday
www.exporivaschuh.it/en
Expo Riva Show –This January 2026 show is its 104th edition. It is organized by Riva del Garda Fierecongressi SpA, the show is a combination of interviews, roundtable discussions, feature leading members of the world of footwear, leather goods and fashion accessories. With 41 countries exhibiting and visitors from over 100 countries.
The IR Show
January 13-15, Tuesday to Thursday
Horseshow Las Vegas Hotels & Casino,
Las Vegas, NV
www.theirshow.com
The IR Show is a three-day trade show which is related to footwear. It was first held in 2022 and will celebrate its 5th anniversary in 2026. The show is only for the industry.
Boston Shoe Travelers – Northeast Expo
Double Tree by Hilton, Manchester, N.H.
January 18-20, Sunday to Tuesday
www.bostonshoetravelers.org
It is organized by the Boston Show Travelers Association, which was founded in Boston in 1901, BSTA is the oldest regional show traveler’s association in the United States. It sponsors three trade shows a year in the Northeast of the U.S. for shoe retailers, show casing the latest merchandise in all categories for upcoming season. The show carries 250 sales representatives and over 600 show and accessory brands.
Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market
January 20-23, Tuesday to Friday
Dallas World Trade Center, Dallas, Texas
www.dallasmarketcenter.com
Dallas Market Center’s five-yearly Apparel and Accessories Markets are home to thousands of emerging and established wholesale women’s apparels, fashion accessories, footwear, beauty and wellbeing product lines across many categories. It is the ideal place to find the latest in young contemporary, contemporary, western, children’s and more.
Chicago Shoe Market
January 27-28, Tuesday and Wednesday
Embassy Suites Chicago, Lombard/Oak Brook
707 Butterfield Road, Lombard, IL 60148
www.chicagoshoemarket.com
The organizer is known as The Windy City Shoe Travelers, is a non-profitable organization. It is for retailers to check the latest and the most sought brands out there.
EXHIBITION CALENDAR
FEBRUARY2026
FFANY Market Week
February 2 -6, Monday to Friday
www.ffany.org
FFANY brings store owners, stylists, buyers and brands to NYC, the heart of the fashion footwear industry.
Atlanta Apparel February
February 3-6, Tuesday to Friday
Americas Mart, Atlanta
www.atlanta-apparel.com
Atlanta Apparel hosts 7 yearly tradeshows for wholesale buyers, exhibitors, and industry professionals.
The organizer raised the question about the uncertainty around the impact of tariffs and it is critical to meet with the vendors to understand any changes to pricing and inventory.
MOMAD Spring 2026
February 5-7, Thursday to Saturday
Feria de Madrid, Madrid
www.ifema.es
MOMAD is the largest commercial showcase in southern Europe for the presentation of new fashion collections, trends and innovative brands and retail concepts. Organized by IFEMA MADRID, it is held twice a year. Exhibitors include emerging companies and leading international firms.
It is promoting organizations in digitization, innovation, and sustainability, and supporting young designers.
MOMAD Spring is a renowned Spanish fashion expo showcasing the new launches in clothing, footwear, and accessories. It will host over 300 premier brands and at the 3-day show it will feature multiple networking and leaning events.
Atlanta Shoe Market
February 14-16, Saturday to Monday
Cobb Galleria Center
Atlanta, GA
www.atlantashoemarket.com
The Atlanta Shoe Market is a show with over 1800 lines of products representing the largest, most productive, and most important shoe show of the season.
MICAN Milano
February 22-24, Sunday to Tuesday
Fiera Milano Rho, Milan
www.mican.it
MICAN Milano is the main event, twice a year, in February and September, where manufacturers and buyers gather to discover the collections of over 1000 footwear brands for men, women, and children and get updated with the latest trends and technology.
It is celebrating its 101 events this February.
Youtube | MICAN Milano | 3:01
Couromoda
Expo Center Norte, São Paulo
January 22-24, Monday to Wednesday
www.couromoda.com/en/fair/about-the-fair/
Couromoda is the leading event for launches and sales of footwear and accessories in Latin America. With 45 years of history, it is a complete fashion platform for global trade. It can be considered as São Paulo Prêt-à-Porter.
It is for footwear, sportswear, and leather goods.
EXHIBITION CALENDAR
MARCH 2026
Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market
March 24-27, Tuesday to Friday
Dallas World Trade Center, Dallas, Texas
www.dallasmarketcenter.com
Dallas Market Center’s five-yearly Apparel and Accessories Markets are home to thousands of emerging and established wholesale women’s apparels, fashion accessories, footwear, beauty and wellbeing product lines across many categories. It is the ideal place to find the latest in young contemporary, contemporary, western, children’s and more.
Atlanta Apparel February
March 30 to April 1, Monday to Wednesday
Americas Mart, Atlanta
www.atlanta-apparel.com
Atlanta Apparel hosts 7 yearly tradeshows for wholesale buyers, exhibitors, and industry professionals.
EXHIBITION CALENDAR
APRIL 2026
MAGIC Nashville
Music Center, Nashville
April 28-29, Tuesday and Wednesday
www.magicfashionevents.com/events/magic-nashville
It is a two-day lineup of non-stop shopping, networking, and entertainment, showcasing all MAGIC brands across apparel, accessories, and footwear. Forst look at holiday, and much more.
NSRA Footwear Forum 2026
Orlando, Florida
April 29-30, Wednesday and Thursday
www.tradeshowz.com/83-nsra-footwear-forum
Organized by National Shoe Retailers Association, NSRA Footwear Forum is a two-day national conference and exhibition focused on shoe industry.
It was founded in 1912; National Shoe Retailers Association is a non-profit organization helping independent shoe store owners throughout the US and Canada in improving business performance.
NSRA Footwear Forum 2026 is not open to public.
EXHIBITION CALENDAR
MAY 2026
Brazil Footwear Show
May 18-20, Monday to Wednesday
Anhembi District, San Paulo
www.bfshow.com.br
Brazil Footwear Show is the premier showcase for Brazilian footwear, from Brazil to the whole of Brazil, and from Brazil to the world. It is held twice a year; the fair presents the Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer collections. for women’s, men’s, children’s, and sports brands. It is focusing on “Made in Brazil” footwear with national retailers and international buyers.
Shoe & Leather Guangzhou 2026
incorporating IFLE – Guangzhou
May 20-22, Wednesday to Friday
China Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou
www.toprepute.com.hk/shoes-leather-guangzhou/
The two shows, the International Footwear Exhibition (IFLE) and Guangzhou International Leather Exhibition (GILE) are incorporating together.
The 34th International Exhibition on Shoes and Leather Industry in Guangzhou is one of the most important and leading events for the shows and leather industry.
EXHIBITION CALENDAR
JUNE 2026
FFANY Market Week
June 1-5, Monday to Friday
New York City
www.ffany.org
FFANY brings store owners, stylists, buyers and brands to NYC, the heart of the fashion footwear industry.
Footwear Show New York Expo (FSNYE)
June 2-4, Tuesday to Thursday
New York City
www.fsnye.com
FSNYE is a recognized management company who is organizing shoes shows in hotel during the FFANY Market Week. It provides the convenient platform in New York City for footwear buyers and vendors, a B2B platform.
Atlanta Apparel February
June 9-14, Tuesday to Sunday
Americas Mart, Atlanta
www.atlanta-apparel.com
Atlanta Apparel hosts 7 yearly tradeshows for wholesale buyers, exhibitors, and industry professionals.
Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market
June 16-19, Tuesday to Friday
Dallas World Trade Center, Dallas, Texas
www.dallasmarketcenter.com
Dallas Market Center’s five-yearly Apparel and Accessories Markets are home to thousands of emerging and established wholesale women’s apparels, fashion accessories, footwear, beauty and wellbeing product lines across many categories. It is the ideal place to find the latest in young contemporary, contemporary, western, children’s and more.
Closing Remark
It is a growing market, and it will soon become a $200 billion market in 2030. More and more people are health-conscious, and setting the goal to walk 10,000 steps daily will need a good sneaker. Shoes are used to health and longevity for reducing back and knee pain.
Sneaker has opened a new arena for us in this decade where we learn about youth culture, global fashion, and even modern economy. I hope to see more schools will take up this for its technical application, design to meet the different customers, and business to make it more flourishing.
This is only the tip of the iceberg as I am concerned.