Functional Fabric Fair, powered by Performance Days, will return to Portland, Oregon, from 14–16 April 2025 at the Oregon Convention Center. The leading North American sourcing event for high-performance fabrics, trims and accessories will feature over 300 sustainable-certified suppliers, debuting Spring 2026/2027 textile innovations alongside an immersive educational programme.

Targeting designers, product developers and sourcing professionals in the outdoor, activewear and lifestyle sectors, the Spring edition promises cutting-edge fabric technologies, trend insights and sustainability solutions across a fully expanded exhibit hall.

“This edition reflects the evolving needs of the industry,” said Steve McCullough, Event Vice President. “We’ve expanded the show floor, introduced more interactive experiences, and curated educational content that speaks to today’s biggest challenges and innovations.”

Key highlights include the Day 0 Sustainability Workshop on 14 April, led by sustainability expert Jill Dumain of Fractal CSOs and sponsored by Hyosung. Taking place a day before the exhibition opens, the paid workshop will tackle traceability, solvent impact and sustainable sourcing practices.

Over the following two days, the Expert Talks stage, sponsored by AATCC, will present insights from industry leaders in over ten sessions. Attendees can expect discussions on innovation, real-world case studies, and sustainability strategy directly from the show floor.

On the exhibition side, major features include:

- AATCC Textile Test Zone – Live demos of official textile testing methods

- Bodywear Collective – A spotlight on next-to-skin performance fabrics and technologies, sponsored by The LYCRA Company

- Innovation Zone – Showcasing emerging textile technologies

- Outdoor Recreation Archive – A historical look at outdoor apparel evolution in collaboration with Utah State University

- Wool Forum (New) – Highlighting wool’s role in sustainable, high-performance applications

- Sustainability Lounge – A hub for eco-conscious material innovations, featuring guided tours by Stewart Sheppard of S2 Consulting

Networking events include the return of Design Lab Live, where sustainable fashion designer and Project Runway alum Kelley Dempsey will create a live garment on 15 April using materials from exhibitors FLYTEC, Pontetorto and YKK.

Also new this year is a book signing by author Zoë Hong, guided sustainability tours, and refreshed social spaces such as the Italian Bar by Kingwhale Corporation and Coffee Igloo by Thermore. The Covation Bio Happy Hour and an After-Hours Networking Event sponsored by NEXTEX, Brookwood and Duraflex, will offer attendees informal opportunities to connect.

To reduce environmental impact, the fair will implement Colleqt, a digital contact system that replaces business cards with QR code scans, enabling attendees to instantly save and organise exhibitor information.

“This event is about more than sourcing—it’s about shaping the future of performance textiles,” McCullough added. “With new experiences and a strong focus on innovation, we’re uniting the industry for impactful conversations.”

Attendance is free for verified industry professionals and students, while the Day 0 Workshop requires a separate registration.

www.functionalfabricfair.com