GDS replacement show to be called Gallery SHOES
09/02/2017
The new event will be called Gallery SHOES, with the first edition taking place from August 27 to 29 at the Areal Böhler estate, also in Düsseldorf. This information was revealed at the opening press conference of GDS by tradeshow organiser the Igedo Company, which has taken over responsibility for the event from Messe Düsseldorf.
“Just continuing GDS with a different framework simply makes no sense,” explained Philipp Kronen, managing partner of the Igedo Company. “Everything has to be completely thought out again across all levels.”
The summer edition of GDS typically took place in July, but the Igedo Company has decided to shift Gallery SHOES to around a month later. It will now also take place from Sunday to Tuesday, with the aim of attracting independent specialist shoe retailers.
The organisers said the new show will focus on the “significant exhibitors” in the European footwear industry, with exhibitors from Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and the Netherlands expected to attend. They are targeting a 65% share of international exhibitors.
It will be dedicated to the medium to high-priced segments, with both new and established brands welcomed. The Igedo Company predicted that the majority of visitors will be from Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. As well as shoes, there will also be space dedicated to the apparel sector.
Ulrike Kähler, who will serve as project director for Gallery SHOES, said: “A strong trade show is what drives the industry. We can only offer you a strong trade show if we all pull together in the same direction. The Gallery SHOES provides information in a new design, with a new language and on an international scale.”
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