The watchwords of the 2022 summer edition of the Riva del Garda fair were: internationality, innovation, and sustainability. An event that has once more been successful in promoting international trade and assisting the industrial system's connection to the market. During the four days of the show, the footwear and accessory industry—which is in recovery—was examined, studied, and made the focal point of talks and competitions.

Despite the continuing challenging environment created by the pandemic's effects and the global geopolitical situation, the sector's commitment to growth and development as well as its actors' capacity to respond and reinvent itself have been shown. In fact, more than 8,000 guests from 103 nations, both European and from the rest of the world, attended the fair's June 2022 edition. The reopening of borders and the start of international travel have made all of this possible.

"We are really satisfied because the work and dedication we invested into implementing the incoming activity of foreign purchasers has helped us to obtain exceptional attendance outcomes. It is enough to list Australia, Mauritius, the Ivory Coast, Thailand, and up to Latin America as examples. These are unquestionably encouraging indicators that inspire us to keep moving in the right direction”, according to GianPaola Pedretti, Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags' exhibition manager.

From Europe, in addition to the substantial Italian participation, the major exporting and producing nations have also sent their exhibiting business, such as Spain, Portugal, Germany, but also France, and the United Kingdom. According to Alessandra Albarelli, General Manager of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, "Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags has once again demonstrated can control a constantly changing environment in which international buyers are searching for new partners and alternative sourcing strategies to support the positive expectations for the upcoming semester." And she continues saying that an exceptional outcome has been achieved in an event that has established itself as a point of convergence between supply and demand, interpreting the many demands of the markets in the best and most novel manner.

During the four days of the fair there was a positive atmosphere, and there were many chances for networking and exchanging. There was a pleasant mood full of opportunities. Roundtables, discussions, contests, and other activities are all connected by the dual themes of innovation and sustainability. Additionally, there was space for the Kind Leather Contest, which was supported by JBS Couros, a well-known Brazilian leather manufacturer, and coordinated by Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags, Arsutoria School, and Foto Shoe 30 Magazine. The Brazilian Consul General in Milan, Ambassador Hadil da Rocha-Vianna, handed the prize to Indonesian designer Tommy Ambiyo Tedji in Riva del Garda as the competition's first winner.

The statistics, partnerships, and connections made create the groundwork for the future of the subsequent editions, with favourable presumptions for January 2023. The next appointment with the new edition of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags is set from January 14^th to January 17^th, 2023. While the spring-summer edition will take place from June 17^th to June 20^th, 2023.