A new independent trade fair for the footwear industry, The Australian Shoe Fair, will take place for the first time on February 17-19.

The inaugural fair in February 2006 will be held at the Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour and will boast over 100 Exhibitors and anticipates attendance by more than 2000 footwear retailers.

According to the organisers, the fair has been developed as a result of demand from suppliers and industry stakeholders for a high quality, industry operated and truly independent footwear fair for the Australian market.

Following the same formula of Fashion Exposed, the Australian Shoe Fair will be held in Sydney each February and in Melbourne each August.