Established in June 1976, the Consortium Maestri Calzaturieri del Brenta has promoted the internationalisation of companies in Europe and the repositioning of the district. The start of these processes was initially encouraged by the management of the largest foreign community at the prestigious GDS exhibition in Düsseldorf. Later on, by the coordination of permanent showrooms in New York and Beijing and by the organisation of the exhibition “The Arts and Crafts of Fashion in Venice from the 13th to the 18th century”.
If, on the one hand, these activities allowed companies to consolidate their leadership all over the world, on the other they facilitated the initiation of collaborations with the major fashion brands. The meeting with the maisons, which in the Riviera del Brenta have found an excellent productive sector, has encouraged the growth of the district until reaching the current structure. A turnover of 2.1 billion, almost 21 million pairs of shoes made, 92% destined for international markets and with over 10,500 people employed in 2019 (Elaboration of Maestri Calzaturieri del Brenta based on Confindustria Moda, Assocalzaturifici, Istat).
The Footwear Polytechnic, a leading player since the mid-nineties in the retraining of workers and the training of new workers, has supported the district’s repositioning process, making it particularly attractive for big brands.