Functional Fabric Fair announces new winter edition at 2026 PGA show
Beginning in 2026, Functional Fabric Fair powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS® will expand to a fourth event with the launch of its winter edition. This new show will take place from January 21–22, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida. It will run concurrently with the PGA Show, the largest and longest-running global event for the golf industry, organized by Reed Exhibitions (RX) and the PGA of America.
The Orlando winter edition will feature 75 curated exhibitors and showcase key areas like Expert Talks and the Trend Forum. Registration for the event will open in September 2025, and the event is free for verified industry professionals. The registration for this event is separate from the PGA Show.
Functional Fabric Fair is a premier North American trade-only event focused on high-performance textiles and sustainability. The event has traditionally held spring and fall editions in Portland, Oregon, and a summer edition in New York City. The new winter edition aims to reach a broader audience, particularly those in the golf, outdoor, and activewear sectors.
The origins of Functional Fabric Fair trace back to the PGA Show’s 2016 initiative to introduce a raw materials sourcing area, offering brands access to new innovations in golf and tennis apparel. Interest in this area grew rapidly, expanding from 30 exhibitors in 2017 to 68 in 2018. This led to the creation of a dedicated space for performance materials.
Building on this momentum, the Functional Fabric Fair expanded in the summer of 2018 to serve a broader market that includes the outdoor, sport, and fashion sectors. The Fair set itself apart by implementing sustainability and manufacturing criteria for its exhibitors, ensuring that attendees connect with responsible sourcing partners. What began as a focus on golf and leisure apparel now spans four annual events, featuring over 1,000 exhibitors and attracting more than 8,000 visitors.
Steve McCullough, Event Vice President, commented, “There is an exciting crossover between the performance needs of the golf industry and the advanced textile technologies featured at Functional Fabric Fair. We are thrilled to bring our sourcing platform back to Orlando during the PGA Show and help connect designers, developers, and decision-makers with the functional fabrics that elevate product performance.”
