News Summary
The Functional Fabric Fair is coming to Orlando, showcasing the latest in performance textiles at the Orange County Convention Center on January 21-22, 2026. This inaugural winter event coincides with the PGA Show, offering unique networking opportunities for industry professionals. Designers, product developers, and students can connect with over 75 curated exhibitors and engage in expert talks focusing on sustainability and innovation in textiles. Registration is free and separate from the PGA Show, ensuring an accessible experience for all attending professionals.
Exciting News for Orlando! Functional Fabric Fair is Coming to Town
Hey there, Orlando! Big news on the horizon as the Functional Fabric Fair has announced its very first winter edition, set for January 21-22, 2026, at the bustling Orange County Convention Center in the Tangerine Ballroom. This is a fantastic opportunity for industry professionals to dive into the latest and greatest in performance textiles!
A Perfect Pairing with the PGA Show
Mark your calendars! The Orlando edition will coincide with the PGA Show, which is known as the largest global business gathering for the golf industry. This unique timing means attendees from both events will have a chance to connect, learn, and discover the latest trends in both the textile and golf sectors.
Who Can Attend?
The event is open exclusively to verified industry professionals. What’s more, registration is free and separate from the PGA Show. So if you’re a designer, a product developer, a purchasing agent, or even a student in outdoor and lifestyle apparel, don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with over 75 curated exhibitors!
What Lies Ahead? An Exciting Agenda!
At the Functional Fabric Fair Winter in Orlando, attendees can expect to engage in Expert Talks and visit a Trend Forum that champions sustainability and innovation. This new platform is specifically designed to highlight performance textiles and technologies that advocate for responsible sourcing. We’re talking about fabrics that are not only innovative but also environmentally friendly!
A Glorious History
This winter edition is truly a continuation of success stories from previous events, held in Portland and New York City since 2016. The concept initially sprouted when the PGA Show introduced a raw materials sourcing section tailored for golf and tennis apparel, paving the way for what we now celebrate as the Functional Fabric Fair.
Exhibitor numbers have skyrocketed since the early days; starting from just 30 exhibitors in 2017, that number grew to 68 by 2018, marking the establishment of the Functional Fabric Fair as a serious player in the textiles industry.
Fostering Sustainable Practices
The Orlando edition aims to further enhance the connection between the textile industry and the activewear sectors, with a firm focus on sustainability. The fair emphasizes the importance of implementing criteria that ensure responsible and vetted sourcing among its exhibitors. It’s all about aligning innovative, sustainable performance fabrics with key decision-makers in the apparel industry.
Jumpstart Your Experience with Workshops
Before the main event kicks off, there will be a special Day 0 Sustainability Workshop available, requiring separate registration and limited seating. If you’re all in for sustainability, this is your chance to workshops that focus on the future of responsible sourcing.
What’s Next?
After the Orlando edition, the fair will continue its journey with the fall edition scheduled to take place in Portland, Oregon, from November 11-13, 2025. Plus, don’t forget there’s a summer edition happening in New York City on July 22–23, 2025, with a sustainability workshop kicking off the festivities on July 21!
The Functional Fabric Fair aims to bring together more than 1,000 exhibitors and over 8,000 visitors across all editions annually, creating a vibrant community where innovation meets responsibility. So, get your registration in and prepare to be inspired in sunny Orlando!
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Additional Resources
- Knitting Industry: Registration Opens for Functional Fabric Fair
- Textile World: Functional Fabric Fair Announces New Winter Edition
- Innovation in Textiles: Industry Appetite Returns at ATA Expo 2023
- Wikipedia: Functional Fabric
- Google Search: Functional Fabric Fair
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
