#Exhibitions & Events

2021-10-13

Bettina Bär appointed Show Director of Neonyt and Val:ue in Messe Frankfurt’s textile division

With effect from 15 October 2021, Bettina Bär is taking over as Show Director of Neonyt and new tradeshow format Val:ue in Messe Frankfurt’s Textile & Textile Technologies division. Both tradeshows are held during Frankfurt Fashion Week.

In the future, Bettina Bär will be responsible for the strategy and concept of the two trade fair formats Neonyt and Val:ue, as well as their contents, organisation and further development. She will be taking over from Thimo Schwenzfeier, who, after more than eight years at Messe Frankfurt, is leaving the company to pursue new professional challenges. In her new position, Bär will report to Olaf Schmidt, Vice President of Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt GmbH.

Since 2012, Bettina Bär has held various positions for Messe Frankfurt in the field of consumer goods fairs and was recently Show Director of Tendence. Among other things, Bär was jointly responsible for the Ethical Style Guide, whereby sustainable exhibitors at Tendence were separately identified and communicated according to a jury's decision. As part of her dual role, Bettina Bär will also be taking over the management of new fashion fair Val:ue, which – as the future base of the “Quality & Mainstream Fashion” segment – will be launched for the first time at Frankfurt Fashion Week in January 2022.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Febratex 2026 to be the largest edition of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas with 10 exhibition halls

Febratex 2026 will be the largest edition in the history of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas. Dedicated to the textile and apparel manufacturing industries, the event will take place from August 18–21, 2026, in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, with a strong focus on technology, sustainability, and business generation.

New exhibition sector at Parque Vila Germânica debuts at full capacity during Febratex 2026

Parque Vila Germânica has put its newest exhibition area into operation ahead of its traditional October festivities. Before hosting Oktoberfest, the venue will unveil a new space that increases its total exhibition area by nearly 15%, with its debut taking place during the 19th edition of Febratex, the largest textile technology trade fair in the Americas.

Messe Frankfurt and Supima introduce Prefab – a new curated fabric sourcing event in New York City

Messe Frankfurt is expanding its international textile network with the launch of Prefab, a new boutique-style sourcing event dedicated exclusively to high-quality fabrics. Taking place 19-20 January 2027 at the Altman Building in New York City, the event will bring selected Supima member fabric mills together with senior designers, fabric directors, product developers and sourcing decision-makers from premium and luxury brands. With a carefully curated exhibitor line-up and a targeted visitor approach, Prefab is designed to create a focused business setting in which material quality, expertise and meaningful exchange take priority over scale.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris highlights evolving global sourcing landscape

From 31 August to 2 September 2026, Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris will bring together more than 1,000 international exhibitors at Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Centre. This edition reflects the new global balance of textile and apparel sourcing, highlighting a strong diversity of sourcing countries — some unexpected.

Première Vision Paris expands innovation focus across fashion and beauty

From September 1–3, 2026, Première Vision Paris will bring together more than 900 exhibitors from across the global fashion value chain. This year's edition places a strong emphasis on Innovation-Tech, highlighting technologies and materials that are reshaping product development, manufacturing and sustainability.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Première Vision Paris

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will exhibit at Première Vision Paris in Paris, France next month. The company will exhibit in the "Smart Creation" area, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technologies that integrate sustainability and innovation. The knitting expert will be demonstrating solutions that optimize product development workflows and enhance sustainability through proposals in Digital Product Creation (DPC).