Industry leaders, such as 3M, Dae Woo and Emtex, will be out in force at the inaugural Materials at WSA Expo & Conference, Las Vegas, (February 19-21).

They will sit alongside new innovators from across the globe, which have never before been seen in Europe or America.

The show will be the place to find truly new innovators. For instance SH Composites from Taiwan will launch a 100% recyclable Thermalplastic toecap.

The same shape as steel toecap, it is non-magnetic, anti-corrosive, non-conductive and weighs 50% less than an original steel toecap.

It also meets all the legally required safety standards. Another exciting new environmental player is Creative Leathers who specialise in bovine leathers in a wide range of up-to-the-minute finishes.

They will showcase a chrome-free and biodegradable velour suede leather ¨C Ecowhite.

Global suppliers are also using the event to make major announcements. For instance 3M will be showcasing its newest lines from both its Scotchgard and Thinsulate brands.

Emtex will be highlight how Emtex engineered fabrics are now available for manufacturing and delivery in Asia.

While Texon International, the leader in structural component materials for footwear is launching a new high performance, recyclable stiffener technology that is up to 25 percent lighter and 40 percent thinner than conventional stiffeners.

Dae Woo will also be at the Materials Expo, championing its high-tech and high-quality new materials developments including its latest film coating, spread coating, surface heat treatment and laser processing techniques.

Those looking for advanced materials will also have plenty to see from leading Italian tanneries such as Conceria Virginia S.p.A. that are focusing on eco friendly leathers, washable leathers and waterproof materials and Conceria Mastrotto Gruppo Mastrotto S.p.A.

While Fratelli Morelli Creazioni Tessili S.p.A. and Toray America Ultra Suede will be displaying their latest textiles.

The show floor will go far beyond exhibitor space by offering visitors a dedicated trend area along with a comprehensive educational seminar programme, crafted specially for footwear and accessories, design, development and sourcing professionals.

This program will include workshops such as 'Innovations in Footwear Materials', 'Demystifying what Green Really Means', 'New Materials & Designs Inspiration from Outside the Footwear Industry', plus 'Understanding Chinese Culture & How it Helps you Successfully do Business in China'.

Added to all of this is the unique positioning of the show, which runs just ahead of The WSA Show and The Collections at WSA and overlaps by one day, creating the largest and most comprehensive footwear marketplace in the world.

"The Materials Expo offers visitors a new experience in the world of footwear materials sourcing. We have taken great care to select the best exhibitors possible to make this show a must for all designer, development and sourcing professionals," comments Show Director, Courtney Harold.

"We have literally traveled the globe to bring together the elite in footwear materials suppliers and will host industry leaders beside the undiscovered, with the latest technologies alongside the traditional. Above all, the show will offer innovation and inspiration, as well education."