Functional Fabric Fair Spring 2025 Opens Registration with Focus on Sustainability and Certifications
NORWALK, Conn. — January 28, 2025 — The spring edition of the Functional Fabric Fair, powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS®, is officially open for registration. Scheduled for April 14-16, 2025, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon, this year’s event promises to deliver an enhanced focus on sustainability and industry certifications. It kicks off with the Day 0 Sustainability Workshop on April 14, followed by two full days of exhibits, educational sessions, and networking opportunities.
A Deep Dive Into Certifications: This Year’s Theme
This year’s focus topic, “Certifications: Which ones matter?”, will explore critical industry developments, including the EU Green Deal, the upcoming Green Claims Directive, and the Textile Exchange Material Matters unified standard. The educational programming is designed to encourage meaningful discussions around implementing sustainability standards and navigating certification processes within the textile industry.
Day 0 Sustainability Workshop
The event will begin a day early with the Day 0 Sustainability Workshop on Monday, April 14. Led by industry leaders and facilitated by Jill Dumain of Fractal CSOs, the workshop will cover:
– Practical approaches to foundational sustainability topics,
– The latest developments and updates in the field,
– Real-world case studies,
– Roundtable discussions, and
– Interactive activities.
This dedicated workshop is a must-attend for professionals looking for actionable insights and strategies to advance sustainability in their organizations.
Exhibit Hall Highlights
The Exhibit Hall will open on Tuesday, April 15, and run through Wednesday, April 16, featuring over 300 suppliers certified in sustainability. Attendees will have the chance to explore the latest functional fabrics, finishes, trims, accessories, and innovations for the Spring/Summer 2026/2027 seasons. In addition to sourcing opportunities, the Exhibit Hall will also offer:
– Daily Expert Talks sessions, featuring insights from industry leaders,
– Live demonstrations showcasing innovations in materials and techniques,
– Networking lounges to connect with peers, and
– Special events, including happy hours and more.
A Leading Event for Performance and Sustainable Textiles
“Functional Fabric Fair is the most vetted sourcing destination for sustainable outdoor, lifestyle, performance, and activewear textiles,” said Steve McCullough, Event Director of the Functional Fabric Fair. “As we explore our 2025 theme, ‘Certifications: Which ones matter?’, we’re creating the definitive space where the future of performance fabrics is shaped. There is no other event in North America that compares.
“With new regulations in the United States and the European Union reshaping our entire industry, attendees will have the unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge materials and trends while gaining valuable insights into navigating the certification landscape in 2025 and beyond,” McCullough added.
Free for Industry Professionals and Students
The Functional Fabric Fair is a trade-only event and is free for verified professionals, including designers, product developers, purchasing agents, material managers, and students in the outdoor, performance, and lifestyle apparel sectors. However, the Day 0 Sustainability Workshop requires separate registration due to limited seating availability.
Don’t miss the chance to join this transformative event, where sustainability, innovation, and performance textiles come together to shape the future of the industry.
