With the MasterShoes Fair, Konya Footwear Industry on the Global Stage

Esteemed Representatives of the Konya Footwear Industry,

We are once again organizing the International MasterShoes Konya Footwear & Bag Fashion Fair, in collaboration with Nobel Companies Group, the Konya Shoemakers’ Chamber, and the Konya Footwear Manufacturers Association. This year, we are enhancing the event compared to the previous year and doubling the number of participants.

As the Konya Shoemakers’ Chamber Board of Directors, we have been working for nearly three years to position Konya’s footwear industry in the place it deserves, both globally and within Turkey. In a developing and expanding world, we could not afford to fall behind as Konya. In fact, it was essential that we take the lead in the industry and make the name of the Konya footwear sector known. Thus;

In 2022, we released the “Konya Footwear Industry Promotional Film,” which showcased our city, our footwear sector, our footwear industry, the diversity, quality, and capacity of our production. We received positive feedback from every corner of both Turkey and the world. This increased our motivation to work even harder. As promised, we immediately started working to organize a Footwear Fair in Konya. In this endeavor, the financial and moral contributions, heartfelt prayers from past presidents, managers, veteran masters, and you, our esteemed craftsmen and artisans, were the most significant factors in our success. May God bless them all.

In reality, this success belongs not only to us but also to you, our valued craftsmen and artisans, whose prayers, good wishes, and sincere support were an unforgettable part of this achievement. You shared the burden of hard work without ever saying “I” but always saying “we.” We are deeply grateful to all of you. Whatever we do for you, on behalf of the Konya footwear sector, will never be enough.

For centuries, the “Footwear Sun” has been rising in Konya, and we have worked to ensure that this sun can be seen by the whole world. Of course, there were those who ignored this, mocked, or laughed at us. We paid no heed. We continued on our path with faith, with you, with those who believed in us. When we started, we were a small group. Today, with you, we have become a world-renowned name.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Ministry of Trade, the Konya Governorship, the Konya Metropolitan Municipality, the district municipalities, the Konya Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen, the Konya Chamber of Commerce, the Konya Chamber of Industry, the Konya Footwear Manufacturers Association, and you, the esteemed representatives of our Konya Footwear Industry, as well as all institutions and organizations that supported the organization of the Konya Footwear & Bag Fashion Fair. On behalf of myself and my fellow board members of the Konya Shoemakers’ Chamber, I extend my heartfelt gratitude and respect to all of you.

We sincerely believe that the MasterShoes Konya Footwear & Bag Fashion Fair will bring great benefits to our country, our city, and you, our esteemed craftsmen and artisans. We pray to Almighty God for it to be prosperous and fruitful.

In a developing world, for a developing Turkey, and a growing footwear industry in Konya, we stand together, hand in hand. To build a better future, we must start working today.

With our best regards...

MUHAMMET ACAR

ON BEHALF OF THE KONYA SHOEMAKERS CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT