[Hong Kong, 1 March 2025] — The Global Footwear Executive Summit (GFES), organized by APLF in collaboration with UITIC and SATRA, is scheduled for 13 March 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This event will bring together top executives, industry leaders, and professionals from the global footwear sector, serving as a pivotal gathering for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. The summit will focus on the pressing challenges and opportunities within the footwear industry.

Session 1: Sustainability Highway to Market

Organized by UITIC, this session will feature a panel of footwear executives, sustainability experts, and technicians who will share invaluable insights into the key factors driving the competitiveness of footwear brands. Key topics include:

• Leveraging sustainability to enhance brand visibility and appeal.
• The transformative role of AI in product design and efficiency within the footwear industry.

Sergio Dulio, President of UITIC, will be the keynote speaker, followed by a panel discussion featuring William Wong, Consultant at the Hong Kong Footwear Association; Yves Morin, President of the Organizing Committee of the Sustainable Leather Forum; Alex Thomas, SVP of Caleres, Inc.; and Lu Hua, Deputy Secretary-General of CLIA.

Session 2: Compliance – An Opportunity or An Unwelcome Necessity?

In this session by SATRA, industry experts will explore the multifaceted nature of compliance within the footwear industry – Is compliance merely an unwelcome necessity, or can it be transformed into a valuable opportunity for growth and innovation? Key topics include:

• The influence of compliance on production, design, and market entry.
• Leveraging compliance as a competitive advantage.
• The role of compliance in driving sustainable practices that resonate with consumers.
• Common challenges businesses face in meeting compliance requirements.
• Preparing for upcoming regulations.

Dr. Christine Anscombe of SATRA Technology Centre will lead a panel discussion with Bhaskar Changalasetty, Senior Quality Manager at R M Williams; Matthew Abbott, Commercial Manager/Technical Editor at World Trades Publishing; Deborah Taylor, Managing Director of the Sustainable Leather Foundation (SLF); and Keith Kwok, Operations Director at The Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre.

Join Us at GFES

The Global Footwear Executive Summit promises to be an enlightening experience for all attendees, equipping them with actionable strategies to enhance their brand’s market position while embracing sustainable practices. Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of industry developments.

For more information and to register, please visit https://www.aplf.com/events-list/global-footwear-executive-summit-2025/.