1. sleminars 2017
april 21
disruptive footwear production
entirely new methods and business models
april 20
smart footwear production
automation & customization of current methods

2. 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
visonary 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 around the world, 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.”
-WilliamPollard-

3. 2017 sleminars
future of footwear
manufacturing
This year’s 2-day SLEMinar will discuss issues that have been dominating the
international news lately, such as:
WIll production indeed be reshored 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 custumization 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 entertaiining whilst
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, supliers
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 orthopedic 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.
“You don’t need eyes to
see, you need vision.”
-Faithless-
Francis Bitonti for United Nude

4. 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 flexible, 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 Terna Jibo - Portland Design
Christian Decker - Desma Siert Wijnia - Ultimaker
Andy Polk - FDRA XiaoXi Shi - JS Shoes
Sergio Dulio - AtomLAB Troy Nachtigall - Solemaker
Eva Kablalova - Cave Francis Bitonti - Studio Bitonti
Peter Santora - SoftWear 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.”
-AlbertEinstein-

5. 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 infuencers
- 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 exhibitior opportunities.
“An investment in knowledge
always pays the best interest.”
-BenjaminFranklin-

6. how to
become
a sponsor
How you can best benefit from these tools is determined by the kind of
exposure you are looking for and by your budget. To help you make the
best choice we have predefined a few attractive and effective sponsor
packages:
Bronze Sponsor - €1000*
1 conference ticket for both days, including lunch and refreshments
Your logo on the SLEMinar syllabus and lecture program
Sponsorship announced through social media channels and e-newsletter
Leaflet/product in delegate bag (x400)
Silver Sponsor - €1500*
2 conference tickets for both days, including lunch and refreshments
Your logo on the SLEMinar syllabus and lecture program
Sponsorship announced through social channels and e-newsletter
Leaflet/product in delegate bag (x400)
Full attendee list with contact details
* All prices are subject to Dutch VAT at 21%, also for exhibitors.
Contact our team of organizers to book your package
or for any questions and suggestions:
how to
become
an exhibitor
Seeing is believing! So if you want to demonstrate your technology we do
offer the possibility to have a booth in the central exibition area where all
participants go during the breaks. There are only six places available for
exhibiting, so make sure you apply in time!
Gold Sponsor - €2500*
3 conference tickets for both days, including lunch and refreshments
2 meter x 3 meter stand in 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)
2 dedicated messages sent out through our e-newsletter and all our social
media channels
Full attendee list with contact details
Personal SLEM Matchmaker service
Platinum Sponsor - €3500*[only two available!]
10-minute presentation on the main stage
4 conference tickets for both days, including lunch and refreshments
Fixed rate discount ticket for any additional staff members
2 meter x 3 meter stand in 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)
2 dedicated messages sent out through our e-newsletter and all our social
media channels
Full attendee list with contact details
Personal SLEM Matchmaker service
office@slem.nl
+31 416 757 630