Why attend
What makes this event different?
Senior thought leaders return year after year because Innovation Forum brings brands, manufacturers and regulators into one room as equals. No single interest group sets the agenda, and no press is in the room. Conversations stay focused on what's deliverable now and how to push ambitions further.
Honest discussion
Held under the Chatham House rule, with no presentations, no jargon and no scripted panels. Attendees can ask the difficult questions and challenge each other directly, with no names attached and nothing reported to press. Come ready for group discussions with questions, and leave ready to email your team with clear next steps.
Beyond your silo
The agenda cuts across governance, circularity, worker welfare, communications, climate and supply chains, all in one room. Plenaries bring C-suite perspectives on the macro-conditions in the industry; breakouts and roundtables cover the specific case studies to dig into. The best solutions often come from others' specialisms.
Networking that delivers
We cap attendance and curate the room to prioritise high-value, organic networking. Ready-made groups across the six key themes mean you're always sat with people working the same problem from a different angle, so conversations start naturally and go somewhere. You can expect connections that lead to real opportunities beyond the event.
Real benchmarks
Compare your strategy against industry peers and learn directly from how they're solving the same problems. Our agenda is built from in-depth industry research and sessions designed around real practitioners' experience, so you leave with a clear sense of where you stand and what to do next.
Who attends
The conference brings 350+ cross-functional leaders and decision makers across the apparel and textiles industry.
What to expect
The forum is designed around 6 key pillars that enhance your learning opportunities and facilitate organic, but high value networking.
Networking opportunities: The forum is intentionally intimate and includes 8+ hours of networking breaks, giving you time to sit with what you've heard and easily find the right people to act on it with.
Networking drinks
Two happy hour receptions run across the conference: one on the evening of Day 0, ahead of the main programme, and one closing Day 1. Both offer an informal space to continue the day's conversations over a drink, without the structure of a session.
Networking app
The networking app extends the conference beyond the two days themselves. Log in from a week before to browse the attendee list, book onto sessions, and start conversations ahead of arrival. With a virtual business card and the option to share follow-up details, and the app remaining live afterwards, you can easily follow up with the people you met.
Coffee breaks
Coffee breaks run on a fixed schedule for everyone in the agenda, so you know exactly when to meet up and caffeinate together. Whether you're unpacking the session that just finished or talking broader industry movements, there's a seated area for a proper conversation, away from the noise of the main room.
Speed networking
Join our quick-fire speed networking session on Day 1 morning to meet a lot of new people quickly, exchange ideas, and foster connections that you can build on further in the conference.
Match-making
Opt into one-to-one matchmaking before the conference and we'll connect you directly with another in your key interest area.
Partner events
We work closely with a number of industry-leading organisations who run their own events that week, extending networking beyond the official programme. Membership meetings, casual drinks, intimate dinners: whatever the format, Amsterdam that week offers more ways to connect than the conference agenda alone.
Topics and formats: Sessions span the industry's evolving opportunities and challenges across mainstage debates, breakouts and roundtables. The culture is the consistent: practical, nuanced conversation that builds the partnerships needed to drive tangible impact.
Intimate rooms
The event takes place across one floor, split into a number of varied session types to allow for more organic networking.
Audience led
Every session is driven by the challenges, questions and opinions in the audience. This structure ensures a focus on real world problem solving and the realities on the ground.
The Other Room
An entirely off-the-record format for the most controversial issues. There are no speakers. Instead, the audience leads the conversation. It is a chance to vent, to speak your mind and to challenge (un)conventional thinking.
This House Believes
A structured debate where you may be asked to argue against your beliefs. A format that places you in someone else’s shoes, encourages open thinking and is a lot of fun.
Inspirational keynotes
Hear from leading experts and businesses. We’re all working towards the same goals. This is a chance to take stock and to take inspiration, ideas and energy for the year ahead.
Practical case studies
Real world case studies where speakers are encouraged to share the good, the bad and the ugly. An opportunity to learn from your peers what works, and what doesn’t.
Learning groups
These double-length sessions are collective problem solving sessions tackle the financial, organisational, and logistical barriers facing the industry. Capped for 20 people with a broad range of stakeholders, they allow for an honest discussion on what really needs to change.
Advisory group
We're grateful to our advisory group, whose input keeps the discussions relevant for industry leaders across a range of functions, and grounded in the best practice worth sharing
Ralph Lauren
Head of Sustainability, Product and Manufacturing Innovation
ON
Global Senior Director of Sustainability
Sustainabelle
Founder
Soorty Enterprises
Group Head - ESG, CSR and Corporate Communications
Politecnico di Milano
Associate Professor
EILEEN FISHER
Director of Circular Design
MANGO
Head of Sustainability and Sourcing
Tapestry
Global Head of ESG and Sustainability
H&M Group
Sustainable Investment Lead
Why join?
The expertise spans decision-makers and key practitioners working across the industry's key functions, from decarbonisation and human rights to regulatory reporting, technology, finance and design, reflecting the range of stakeholders shaping the industry's impact.
Brands
Exchange practical strategies with peers navigating the same commercial pressures, from supply chain transparency to circularity targets. Come away with case studies and a sharper business case to take back to the board.
Retailers
Strengthen sourcing strategies, supplier relationships and margin decisions against the sustainability commitments you've made publicly. Learn how peers are managing the operational trade-offs, without losing sight of the customer.
Manufacturers
Hear directly from buyers and policymakers shaping the standards you're expected to meet, and share the realities of implementation on the factory floor. Build the relationships that make compliance smoother, and find partners to consolidate efforts.
Policymakers
Test regulatory thinking against the people who'll have to implement it, and understand where current frameworks help or hinder progress on the ground. Meet the industry contacts who are genuinely interested in industry improvement and can inform the next round of policy design.
Financiers and investors
Understand how climate and supply chain risk are shaping due diligence, lending criteria and long-term valuation across the sector. Meet the brands and manufacturers seeking capital for resilience and transition projects.
Industry non-profits
Connect with the brands, manufacturers and funders you need to move initiatives from pilot to scale. Learn what's working across the industry directly from the people doing it, and find co-funding partners for your next phase.
Innovators
Meet the buyers and decision-makers evaluating tools and services like yours, and get a direct read on the problems they're trying to solve. Leave with connections and a clearer sense of what the market actually needs, so your team can deliver.
Industry advisors
Test your advice against what's actually happening on the ground, and build the relationships that keep your thinking current between client engagements. Meet the brands and manufacturers who'll be your next client.
"It was a truly positive experience. The smaller venue created a more focused atmosphere with curated content that sparked meaningful insights and great networking. I left not only with new perspectives but also with valuable new connections."
Head of Sustainability
Eton Shirts
"The Sustainable Apparel & Textiles Conference exceeded my expectations. It was exceptionally well organized, with insightful and highly relevant content, and provided an excellent opportunity to connect with industry professionals who are genuinely committed to advancing sustainability in the apparel and textile sector."
Formerly VP Product Operations
Adidas
"I was shocked and excited to see how many of us dive into the difficult and challenging sustainability discussions. We can only do it together!"
Business Development
Soles4Souls
"Feeling inspired and energized after catching up with some old friends and making new connections at the forum."
Senior Director Circular Business
Tommy Hilfiger
Contact
For any questions on this event, please contact:
Keep up with Innovation Forum's Apparel and Textiles events and publishing
Receive regular updates and stay connected with new announcements. Our sustainable apparel and textiles series include annual in-person forums in Europe, North America, Asia, as well as webinars and podcasts discussing business sustainability insights and industry updates with leading expert voices.