9 July 2025
Shanghai will host the 22nd UITIC International Technical Footwear Congress from August 31 to September 3, 2025, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI). By ILM.
Organised by the International Union of Shoe Industry Technicians (UITIC) and the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA), with support from Assomac, the event will focus on “Competitiveness and Sustainability in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”.
UITIC President Sergio Dulio notes that more than half of this year’s papers focus on AI, signalling its growing role in transforming footwear design and manufacturing.
The congress will feature four key thematic sessions: materials and product innovation, sustainability as an opportunity, AI-powered smart manufacturing and industrial success stories.
Highlights include a keynote by Nicoline van Enter on AI in footwear development, and a presentation by Liu Wei from Li Ning, among others.
This edition also underscores the increasing influence of Chinese companies in the global innovation landscape. Dulio highlighted the high quality and volume of Chinese contributions to the congress, underscoring China’s growing leadership in next-generation footwear technology.
We bring leather, material and fashion businesses together: an opportunity to meet and greet face to face. We bring them from all parts of the world so that they can find fresh partners, discover new customers or suppliers and keep ahead of industry developments.
We organise a number of trade exhibitions which focus on fashion and lifestyle: sectors that are constantly in flux, so visitors and exhibitors alike need to be constantly aware both of the changes around them and those forecast for coming seasons.
