Registration is now open for the Spring 2026 edition of Functional Fabric Fair powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS®, set for April 7–9, 2026 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.
The event will begin with a full-day Day 0 Sustainability Workshop on April 7, followed by two days of exhibit hall sourcing and educational programming on April 8 and 9. The fair brings together designers, product developers, and material decision-makers working across performance, outdoor, and lifestyle apparel, with a clear focus on materials and sourcing for the Spring 2027/2028 seasons.
According to Steve McCullough, Event Vice President, the Spring 2026 edition reflects how the market is evolving. He notes that the Portland show places stronger emphasis on supplier engagement, practical education, and circular material thinking. The goal is to help brands move beyond ideas and apply what they learn directly to product development and sourcing decisions.
Day 0 Sustainability Workshop
The Day 0 Sustainability Workshop returns on April 7 and will be curated and led by Todd Copeland of Copeland Consultancy LLC, Eric Brody of Soft Advantage, and Kevin Myette of bluesign technologies. Developed in response to attendee feedback, the workshop is designed to be practical and grounded in real-world challenges.
Sessions will cover core sustainability topics, recent regulatory developments, and real supply chain case studies. Interactive roundtable discussions will give participants space to compare approaches and ask questions that reflect their day-to-day work. The workshop requires separate paid registration, and seating is limited.
Exhibit hall and on-site features
The Spring 2026 exhibit hall will host more than 250 suppliers with sustainability certifications, showcasing functional fabrics, trims, finishes, accessories, and material solutions. Attendees will also have access to daily Expert Talks, live demonstrations, and curated feature areas.
These include the Trend Forum, Bodywear Collective, Innovation Hub, Wool Forum, Future Fabrics Expo Innovation Hub, and the Cotton Forum. Dedicated spaces such as the Sustainability Lounge and Media Lounge, along with scheduled happy hours and informal gatherings, are designed to support networking and open conversation across the industry.
Focus on textile-to-textile recycling
Building on previous editions, the Spring 2026 fair will take a closer look at textile-to-textile recycling by shifting attention earlier in the circular value chain. This season’s focus highlights collectors and sorters, whose decisions play a key role in determining whether used textiles are recycled into new fibers or sent to waste streams.
The program will explore how collection systems, sorting technologies, and cross-sector collaboration affect recycling outcomes. Discussions will address both the challenges and the opportunities involved in making textile reuse more efficient and scalable.
A seasonal sourcing platform
Functional Fabric Fair runs four seasonal editions across North America each year: Winter in Orlando, Spring in Portland, Summer in New York City, and Fall in Portland. Each show follows the same core principles of responsible sourcing, education, and vetted supplier access, while tailoring content to seasonal market needs.
Registration details
Functional Fabric Fair is a trade-only event and is free to verified designers, product developers, purchasing agents, material managers, and students working in the outdoor, performance, and lifestyle apparel sectors. The Day 0 Sustainability Workshop requires separate registration, with limited availability.
More information on the Spring 2026 event, registration, and all upcoming editions can be found at www.functionalfabricfair.com.
