The 21st UITIC Congress now has a date and venue
After having to be suspended on two occasions due to the pandemic, the International Union of Shoe Industry Technicians (UITIC) now has a date and venue for its 21st edition. The world's largest event that brings together technicians and footwear manufacturers will take place in Milan and Vigevano, on 20, 21 and 22 September, under the theme "Moving towards sustainability through innovation". Milan already hosted this Congress in 1983.
Porto 2018 was the last time that footwear technicians and manufacturers had the opportunity to meet and discuss the trends and needs of the industry. During this time the international scene has changed, but what has not changed is the sector's desire to be on the cutting edge. Therefore, it was inevitable to put sustainability as a key point of this Congress.
Thus, the 21st UITIC Congress will be orchestrated under the slogan, ‘Moving towards sustainability through innovation’. The organising committee has been clear: ’the integration of sustainability is not an option for the global footwear industry. It is an urgent and pressing need’. On this occasion, the organisation of the UITIC Congress has been entrusted to the National Association of Italian Manufacturers of Machinery and Accessories for the Tanning, Footwear and Leather Goods Industry (Assomac), which has stated that innovation and sustainable development must be associated to ensure the viability of companies. ’Sustainability is becoming more and more important in society, and it is seen by consumers as an increasingly important value’, the Italian association affirms, "neglecting sustainable innovation when creating products, services and equipment would be a mistake that could lead to turning one’s back on the future’.
Taking advantage of the fact that the 21st UITIC Congress coincides with the Simac-Tanning Tech fair, those attending the congress will be able to take a guided tour of the fair on the 20 September.
PreCall for papers
The deadline for the submission of papers by companies will open soon. It will be announced on the Congress website and will end on 15 May.
The topics of the sessions will be:
- Products, materials, and consumers of tomorrow.
- Digital transformation.
- Human capital for Industry 5.0.
- Sustainability success stories.
INESCOP at the core of UITIC
The International Union of Shoe Industry Technicians (UITIC) was founded in 1972 with the aim of promoting the know-how of the footwear industry, mainly through the organisation of the International Congress. UITIC has 28 members from 25 different countries. INESCOP historically occupies a prominent place in its organisation chart where it currently holds the treasury, through the figure of Esperanza Almodóvar, who for years was its general secretary.
In its more than 50 years of life, UITIC has counted on the presidency of INESCOP for 19 years. In addition, the Footwear Technology Centre has held the general secretariat for 17 years, and the treasury for 12 years. INESCOP is currently a member of the Scientific Committee of the congress, represented by Dr Elena Orgilés, and a member of the Executive Committee of UITIC.