sleminars 2017
april 20 smart footwear production
april 21 disruptive footwear production
automation & customization of current methods
entirely new methods and business models
what is slem? SLEM (Shoes Leather Education Museum) is an international innovation and training institute for footwear and leather that includes a consulting department, a footwear museum and a training institute that offers full time as well as part time programs on a professional level. Our headquarters are based in Waalwijk, The Netherlands, but we work around the world, with branches in Italy and China. We believe that innovation does not just come from technology as such, but from a different way of thinking that affects all aspects of the footwear industry, from product development to retail. We also believe that meaningful innovation - the kind that leads to positive and lasting improvements - is only achieved through collaboration.
what are sleminars? Because we believe in innovation through collaboration we organize at least two SLEMinars each year. These are global conferences that bring together visionary innovators from both inside and outside the footwear industry with shoe companies that want to move forward and make footwear more sustainable, social, functional, affordable, wearable and beautiful. Our team of industry professionals and forecasters does thorough research and brings in carefully selected expert speakers from around the world. This way you can be certain that our SLEMinars are always packed with ground breaking yet practical information, rather than a series of commercial presentations. This approach has already resulted in great success, with industry innovators and decision makers flying in from every corner of the globe, making the SLEMinars very productive networking meetings as well.
“information is a source of learning. But unless it is organized, processed, and available to the right people in a format for decision making, it is a burden, not a benefit.� - William Pollard -
2017 sleminars future of footwear manufacturing
“You don’t need eyes to see, you need vision.” - Faithless -
This year’s 2-day SLEMinar will discuss issues that have been dominating the international news lately, such as: Will production indeed be re-shored to Europe and the USA? Where will we get the right people and resources then or will everything be fully automated? If so, where and how do robots make most sense? Will our current manufacturing apparatus become obsolete or can we tweak it to provide the customization options the consumer needs and still protect our investments? Can new production methods like 3D printing and knitting be so efficient that they could also be done in store? But what would that mean for our business model then, how can micro factories be attractive and entertaining whilst being easy to manage and offering good value for money? All these issues and many more will be discussed from various angles by a broad range of speakers, consisting of renowned industry experts, suppliers of new technologies and visionary thinkers from both inside and outside the industry.
who will be coming? The target audience consists of 200 international decision makers on each day, such as senior management in the areas of innovation, engineering, product development, brand development and retail from both the footwear, sports performance and orthopaedic industry. Some work for leading international brands and manufacturers, while others are from highly innovative start-ups or work with international research centers and associations for the footwear and leather industry. Last but not least we have professors from major universities and suppliers of new technologies and services to the footwear industry.
Francis Bitonti for United Nude
who will be speaking and when? When we think about the future of footwear manufacturing there is not just one way forward. That is why we decided to split this SLEMinar into two days.
day 1: smart production On the first day, April 20, we will talk about how to make current production methods smarter, meaning: more efficient, local, customizable and automated. This day is especially interesting for larger companies that already have manufacturing facilities and are looking to improve them.
day 2: disruptive production The second day, April 21, will revolve around entirely new kinds of production, from printing and knitting to biotech, including in-store production. This day is especially interesting for innovative start-ups as well as larger companies that want to develop future forward projects.
combination tickets We have the best line-up of speakers ever and not all of them can be there on both days, so we provide attractively priced combination tickets that give access to the entire SLEMinar. So far the following speakers have been confirmed, more will be added:
April 20: April 21: Matt Powell - NPD Group Christian Decker - Desma Andy Polk - FDRA Sergio Dulio - AtomLAB Eva Kablalova - Cave Peter Santora - SoftWear
Terna Jibo - Portland Design Siert Wijnia - Ultimaker XiaoXi Shi - JS Shoes Troy Nachtigall - Solemaker Francis Bitonti - Studio Bitonti Lucy Beard - Feetz
Besides lectures there will also be highly relevant demonstrations of new technologies, such as an exclusive new 3D printer prototype by Ultimaker!
“we cannot solve problems with the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.� - Albert Einstein -
how can you maximize your presence? If you are a supplier of innovative technologies or services to the footwear industry and want to be certain that you get the best business leads from your presence at our SLEMinars, then we can offer you an attractive range of partnership opportunities. For instance, you can benefit actively from our extensive marketing, networking and matchmaking efforts both before and during the SLEMinars, such as: - weekly e-newsletters to 8000 footwear industry decision makers and influencers - daily footwear innovation posts on all our social media channels - SLEMinar syllabus and lecture program that are handed out to all visitors - central exhibition area at the show to demonstrate your product or service - networking drinks and lunches around the exhibition area - SLEM’s Walking Dinner on April 20th in the exhibition area - SLEM’s “Personal Matchmakers” who can bring you in contact with all attendees and speakers that could be of your specific interest - SLEM’s attendee list with contact details of all participants of both days* *: companies that do not wish to share their details are not included. Please see the next page for sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities.
“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” - Benjamin Franklin -
how to become a sponsor
how to become an exhibitor
How you can best benefit from our marketing and networking tools is
Seeing is believing! So if you want to demonstrate your technology we
determined by the kind of exposure you are looking for and by your budget.
recommend that you reserve a booth in the central exhibition area where
To help you make the best choice we have predefined a few attractive and
all participants go during the breaks. There are only six places available for
effective sponsor packages:
exhibiting, so make sure you apply in time!
Bronze Sponsor - €1000*
Gold Sponsor - €2500*
1 conference ticket for both days, including lunch and refreshments
3 conference tickets for both days, including lunch and refreshments
Your logo on the SLEMinar syllabus and lecture program
2 meter x 3 meter stand in our central exhibition area, including electricity
Sponsorship announced through social media channels and e-newsletter
Your logo on the SLEMinar syllabus and lecture program
Leaflet/product in delegate bag (x400)
Sponsorship announced through social media channels and e-newsletter Leaflet/product in delegate bag (x400)
Silver Sponsor - €1500*
2 dedicated messages sent out through our e-newsletter and all our social media channels and our SLEMinar website (www.slem.nl/sleminars)
2 conference tickets for both days, including lunch and refreshments
Full attendee list with contact details
Your logo on the SLEMinar syllabus and lecture program
Personal SLEM Matchmaker service
Sponsorship announced through social channels and e-newsletter Leaflet/product in delegate bag (x400)
Platinum Sponsor - €3500*[only two available!]
Full attendee list with contact details
10-minute presentation on the main stage
* All prices are subject to Dutch VAT of 21%, also for exhibitors.
Contact our team of organizers to book your package or for any questions and suggestions:
4 conference tickets for both days, including lunch and refreshments Special discount rate tickets for any additional staff members 2 meter x 3 meter stand in our central exhibition area, including electricity Your logo on the SLEMinar syllabus and lecture program Sponsorship announced through social media channels and e-newsletter Leaflet/product in delegate bag (x400)
sleminar@slem.nl +31 416 757 630
2 dedicated messages sent out through our e-newsletter and all our social media channels and our SLEMinar website (www.slem.nl/sleminars) Full attendee list with contact details Personal SLEM Matchmaker service