Reflection, Exchange, Action: Join the interactive DAY 0 Conference in Shanghai

Before Functional Textiles Shanghai opens its doors, DAY 0 brings the industry together on March 4th for focused reflection and exchange as it explores the common ground between sustainability and textiles.

The DAY 0 conference is an exclusive pre-show interactive workshop format, created to give industry leaders the space to pause, challenge the status quo, and actively rethink how we work - from design and material development to production and supply chain collaboration.

Following the success of DAY 0 conferences in Munich, Portland and New York, Functional Textiles Shanghai will host the first DAY 0 conference in China. Built around the theme “Reflection, Exchange, Action”, the conference connects technological innovation with low-carbon development and focuses on practical paths toward green transformation and industrial restructuring.

A global perspective

Europe faces a growing “green silence,” where per-garment carbon reductions are outweighed by rising total consumption. Asia is still leading the world and has set benchmarks in low-carbon manufacturing, with further potential ahead. At the same time, rising consumer demand for transparency and traceability is accelerating technology-enabled solutions across the industry. This is best summed up by the incoming EU Green Deal & various initiatives across the US.

On March 4, the DAY 0 conference will be hosted by Charles Ross (Royal College of Art), drawing on over 40 years of industry experience. He is joined by selected speakers from international brands as Kathmandu, Alpkit, Peak Performance and partners from up and down the supply chain.

As a special PERFORMANCE DAYS initiative, this closed-door conference is limited to 50 participants. It brings together senior decision-makers from leading Chinese, European and American outdoor and sports brands, alongside selected supply chain partners. Supply chain participation is exclusively reserved for exhibitors of this edition, ensuring relevance and commitment.

What makes DAY 0 different

• Interactive workshop sessions: Active participation, moderated discussions, and direct peer exchange rather than one-way presentations.

• A non-selling environment: One of DAY 0’s greatest strengths is putting brands and the supply chain in the same room with a clear rule: listen and learn from each other. No pitching, no sales agendas - just open, honest dialogue.

• Opening keynote: Addressing sustainability fatigue as a natural growing pain, and why brands investing in responsibility today will be the long-term winners, especially with Gen Z entering the market.

• Panels with practitioners: In-depth panels sharing real examples, challenges, and lessons from both brand and supply chain perspectives (as Kathmandu, Alpkit, Peak Performance, Allied Feather & Down, REO ECO, Bluesign and more)

Why join DAY 0

Feedback from past editions is consistent: DAY 0 creates a space no other format does - putting the right people in the room and enabling honest, cross-perspective conversations where real understanding and progress happen.

With limited seats and rare access to senior brand leaders, the DAY 0 conference offers a unique opportunity to realistically position your sustainability strategy, gain insight across the value chain, and help shape the future of the textile and outdoor industry - from the very start.

Join DAY 0 and be part of the conversation where real change begins.