The joint hosts are Leather Industries of America (LIA) – who provided the current ICT President, Lisa Howlett - and the United States Hide Skin and Leather Association (USHSLA) and the Congress is organised under the auspices of the International Council of Tanners (ICT), with the administrative assistance of Lineapelle/UNIC.

The first World Leather Congress in November 2011, held in Rio de Janeiro, is very much seen as the brainchild of Wolfgang Goerlich, who was President of ICT from 2010 to 2014.

This was followed in September 2015 by the second World Leather Congress organised by UNIC, the Italian Tanners’ Association, in Milan, under the ICT Presidency of Rino Mastrotto. In August 2017, Richard Pai who was ICT President for 2016-18 and also President of TILA (Taiwanese International Leather Association) headed the organisation of the third World Leather Congress, jointly with the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA).

The theme of this 4^th Congress will be Leather in Everyday Life. While the first three congresses were focussed mainly on the industry and its supply and distribution chain, this one – especially being located in New York – is focussed on the consumer, consumer products and design.

With the growing emphasis on the power of the consumer, organisers of the Congress believe this is the right time to look at the leather and leather products from the viewpoint of the consumers and their interests – increasingly buying products that are ethical, sustainable and consumer friendly.

For accessing the full programme of the World Leather Congress please vist the event's website.