With decades of experience in organising international leather exhibitions in Hong Kong behind them, the organisers of APLF ASEAN created the event with the purpose of connecting international suppliers with Southeast Asia’s industrial sourcing network. This year, the event will take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from the 13^th to the 15^th of November, centred on the M.E.E.T. concept.

‘M’ stands for ‘matching’, providing opportunities for business matchmaking between suppliers and qualified sourcing professionals. ‘E’ stands for ‘experience’, with dedicated zones showcasing leather trends and material innovations in an interactive, curated environment. ‘E’ also stands for ‘education’, facilitating the sharing of market insights and breakthroughs through seminars and technical sessions. Finally, ‘T’ stands for ‘tradeshow’, a focused event format aimed at delivering high-quality engagement tailored to industrial sourcing.

“Exhibitors and buyers deserve an enhanced sourcing experience in the region, and we hope APLF ASEAN can help provide that focused, high-return environment. Our aim is to create an exhibition that fosters meaningful connections between suppliers and the right buyers, while also setting a new benchmark for leather and materials exhibitions in Vietnam”, commented Janice Lee, Director of APLF.

Vietnam imports over 500 million square feet of leather each year, primarily for use in its growing manufacturing sectors. Around 60% of this is used for leather footwear, while the remainder goes into accessories, garments, and the expanding automotive and furniture industries. As global trade shifts and tariffs rise, Vietnam has established itself as a strategic manufacturing hub, particularly for footwear and fashion goods. The country’s leather market is expected to grow by 6 to 8% annually from 2024 to 2030.