It was with satisfied faces, an 8% rise in exhibitors and many new innovations and further developments in fair design that the 102nd GDS – The Premiere Shoe Event closed at Düsseldorf’s exhibition centre on 17 September. Over three days, the orders and information platform attracted 33,000 visitors (a 4.5% rise) from 82 countries who came to gather information on the forthcoming shoe trends for Spring/Summer 2007. Trade buyers were ‘spoilt for choice’ with the over half a million shoe styles presented by 1,398 exhibitors (previous event: 1,301), including the likes of numerous international top designer labels. From exclusive and elegant to young, trendy and experimental, the range offered at GDS was comprehensive. Generating particular interest was the premium segment ‘white cubes’ – Messe Düsseldorf’s successful and entirely new concept for exhibitors.

‘With its 30% increase in exhibitors the GDS now has an all-new look in the premium segment. The new concept went down very well with buyers,’ said Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH.

‘Once again, GDS has presented the entire spectrum of the international shoe market, thereby impressively underlining its central position as the platform for information and orders in Europe.’

Around 30% of the visitors from 41 countries were also interested in GLS – International Event for Leather Goods & More, held for the second time now in Düsseldorf alongside GDS. 160 exhibitors and brands from 25 nations (including numerous renowned brands featuring both shoes and bags and leathergoods) were presented with their new products in a range-specific layout within GDS.