GDS/GLS 2007

30th Anniversary for Shoes from Brenta at GDS Italian region marks the occasion with a new stand and special reception

Shoes “Made in Italy” have featured at GDS in Düsseldorf for an impressive three decades now. The “Consorzio Maestri Calzaturieri del Brenta” will be celebrating its 30th anniversary as a group participant at the forthcoming GDS (14 to 16 September). Back in September 1977 shoe manufacturers from the region between Padua and Venice took part in GDS for the first time. To mark this special anniversary the first day of the exhibition will see this entire footwear section holding a special reception on its all-new stand.

19 companies have joined forces this season at the new stand in Hall 9.  The stand developed by Messe Düsseldorf measures approximately 1,000 m² and is located along the passageway leading to Hall 10. A pale-look stand and the use of lengths of semi-transparent fabric featuring typical scenery from the region are symbolic of the blend of longstanding tradition and forward-looking attitude that is characteristic of the shoe industry in the Brenta region.

“The shoe industry in our region has built a reputation for itself over decades. Together with our association it has met the challenges of globalisation and today produces shoes of the highest quality living up to the highest fashion aspirations. Many internationally renowned designers have their shoes produced in the Brenta region,” says Franco Ballin, Chairman of the “Consorzio Maestri Calzaturieri del Brenta” and adds: “Participation at GDS has been an integral part of our global distribution and marketing concept for 30 years now. Here our manufacturers meet up with buyers who wish to surprise their shoppers with very special shoes.” 

The origins of shoe making in the Riviera del Brenta go back to the Venetian shoemakers of the 13th century. The decisive momentum for development, however, was only provided in 1898, when Giovanni Luigi Voltan built Italy’s first industrial-scale shoe factory thanks to the experience he had acquired in the USA. This marked the start of the rise of the Brenta region because many firms followed suit. Today, the footwear industry in the Brenta region counts some 800 production sites employing 13,000 staff. Its output accounts for almost 10 percent of the entire Italian shoe industry. Each year this region located between Padua and Venice produces 22 million pairs of shoes. Annual sales total roughly EUR 1.7 billion.       

The “Consorzio Maestri Calzaturieri del Brenta” is among the most important professional associations in the Italian luxury segment. Its tasks include the organisation of trade fairs – especially also the organisation of joint participations at the world’s major shoe fairs – and the production of comprehensive studies on the industry. The “Consorzio Maestri Calzaturieri del Brenta” covers the region spanning from Venice to Padua. Nearly all renowned designer shoes are manufactured, developed or distributed by members of the Riviera del Brenta association.