The 7th edition of the World Footwear Congress postponed

Due to the devastating earthquakes that occurred in Türkiye and Syria on the 6^th of February 2023, the European Footwear Confederation (CEC) officially announces the postponement of the 7th edition of the World Footwear Congress that was expected to be held on the 9^th-11^th May this year in Istanbul.

Given the humanitarian crisis that the hosting country is facing, the Congress organisers, the Footwear Industrialists Association of Turkey (TASD) and the Turkish Footwear Industry Suppliers Association (AYSAD) on one side, and the CEC on the other, are now focused on the urgent needs of the victims. CEC and its Members are sending emergency shipments with warm shoes and clothes, and the two Turkish associations are in addition contributing to find housing and work for the victims. It has to be noted that some of the areas worse hit by the earthquake, were populated with footwear and clothing factories.

In view of the gravity of the situation, the World Footwear Congress is therefore postponed until later in the year, probably in November 2023. The exact dates will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the Congress organisation will continue, and participants can register on the Congress website https://www.wfc2023istanbul.com/en/ , which is currently being updated.

The entire CEC team and its members take this opportunity to affirm their solidarity to the Turkish and Syrian people in these extremely difficult times.

You can dowload the PDF file here.