With the Texpertise Network, we have been working for almost 15 years to accelerate innovation and social, economic and environmental change in the textile and fashion industry. To do this, we also make the UN Sustainable Development Goals more visible and tangible with panel talks, press conferences, interactive lounges, influencer events, podcasts and other formats. For this sustainable commitment, the Texpertise Network uses the unique reach of its more than 50 textile events worldwide.
Econogy" stands for all sustainability activities of Messe Frankfurt's Texpertise Network across international trade fairs and provides orientation. The term "Econogy" combines economy and ecology in one word and shows how decisive sustainability is today for the economic success of a company: Sustainability is increasingly becoming an integral part of all entrepreneurial thinking and action. The creative inspiration for the term "Econogy" is the famous quote by David Suzuki, Canadian biologist, publicist and winner of the Alternative Nobel Prize.*
*"We've got to put the 'eco' back into economics." Speech of David Suzuki, 31.10.2008, West Coast Green Conference, San José, California
The Texpertise Network helps enable, increases visibility, is a knowledge partner and also a guide for the global transformation of the textile industry into an economically successful ESG/SDG-compliant circular economy.
At its global trade fairs and events, it brings together interdisciplinary, global communities from across the textile value chain plus their industry partners. On our platforms, they actively expand and share their knowledge, establish new partnerships and therefore secure their future viability.
In addition to the environmental and social components of sustainability, we also keep a close eye on the economic side.
What we do
With the Messe Frankfurt Texpertise Network, we have spent the last 15 years working on accelerating the rate of innovation and change in the textile and fashion industry in order to press ahead with achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement.
We create platforms for networking
At over 50 international events in 12 countries and on our online platform www.texpertise-network.com, we bring together all relevant stakeholders.
We ensure visibility
In our communication and dedicated content formats, we showcase companies, institutions and individuals whose actions are increasing the economic success of their organisations while also minimising their negative impact on the environment and assuming social responsibility.
We offer training and knowledge transfer
Through our content formats, we convey valuable technical content and offer the ideal platform for knowledge transfer and networking. After all, qualifications and knowledge transfer are key for companies looking to integrate sustainable approaches into their own business activities.
We want to be a role model
By implementing trade fair formats with sustainable concepts, setting an example with ethical and moral business practices plus supporting innovative projects, we want to carve a path for the future in which the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability are perfectly intertwined.
We rely on partnerships
We work on our vision and mission together as a team with our employees, partners, exhibitors and visitors. Sustainability is about continuous development and is a global task that we cannot manage alone. This is why we combine expertise and knowledge in a targeted way.
We are guided by the Sustainability Governance Code
In our role as event organiser, our actions are guided by the Messe Frankfurt Code of Conduct as well as the overarching Messe Frankfurt corporate strategy in the sustainability sector.
Exhibitors of sustainable products and services at our international textile trade fairs can undergo a sustainability check on request and if successful, will be listed in special trade fair guides. Visitors and partners can therefore enjoy targeted networking with exhibitors who have been curated in a transparent, reliable manner. For our checks, we work with independent external sustainability experts and always incorporate the latest updates to recognised seals, certificates and indexes. From 2024, we will be integrating the SDGs into our sustainability checks.
With the new joint name “Econogy” for our sustainability formats at our international textile events, we will be providing even better orientation and comparability of our offers for our exhibitors, visitors and partners from 2023 onwards. After all, many of our partners, exhibitors and visitors take advantage of several of our events along the textile value chain for their business.
With the realignment of our sustainability activities, we are also reviewing our content formats at our trade fairs that deal with the issue of sustainability. We will continue to expand these in terms of strategy and content in order to offer partners, exhibitors and visitors added value for their positioning and personal development.
With “Econogy” not only have we established a uniform term for our sustainability activities at our textile trade fairs in Frankfurt, but are also rolling the new name out to our other textile fairs. This also forms the launch pad for expanding content formats and sustainability activities internationally to additional events.
Sustainability is a complex issue and one in which we all want to develop our knowledge together on a continuous basis. And our events are anchored in team work. This is why we are furthering internal knowledge acquisition about sustainability in our trade fair teams.
We base our activities around the Messe Frankfurt Code of Conduct. We are aware of our responsibility for people and their environment and also expect our business partners to comply with the same high ethical standards. The Messe Frankfurt Code of Conduct defines the company’s own commitment to ethical behaviour and serves as a guide for its business practices. It condenses the most important rules of conduct and provides orientation in situations that are unclear.
Report ‚Texpertise Network and the Sustainable Development Goals‘
Between 2019 and 2023, we have steered our work into concrete actions together with our customers and partners. This report is designed to provide an overview of what has already been achieved and, at the same time form, an incentive to continue our efforts to accelerate the achievement of the goals by 2030.
17 goals, more than 50 annual textile events worldwide, more than 500,000 people a year: With its worldwide textile events, the Texpertise Network provides a unique coverage for support of the SDGs. With the help of the participating subsidiaries, sales partners and, we have already achieved a lot internationally to date. Here are a few selected examples:
January 2019
Photo campaign and talks by the Conscious Fashion Campaign as part of NEONYT
At a stand of its own at the Conscious Fashion Campaign, NEONYT visitors and exhibitors could familiarise themselves with the SDGs and send digital greetings onto social media.
December 2019
Joint press conference by the Texpertise Network, the Conscious Fashion Campaign and the UNOP at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York
In the presence of around 100 guests, representing the press, business, government and various associations, the three joint partners provided an insight into their future collaboration, by means of which they aim to promote realisation of the SDGs in the textile industry further.
January 2020
Integration of SDGs as part of Heimtextil via an interactive exhibition stand, panel discussions and Green Directory
During the 50th anniversary programme of Heimtextil, the world’s largest and most important trade fair for home and contract textiles, the SDGs were profled to a broad public from the architectural, interior-design and hospitality sectors.
January 2020
An interactive exhibition stand by the Conscious Fashion Campaign as part of NEONYT and SDG panel talk on the occasion of the Fashionsustain Conference
The SDGs were highlighted for the first time as part of the international NEONYT Fashionsustain Conference through the panel discussion entitled SDGs X Fashion – The UN’s Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.
December 2020
Participation by the Texpertise Network in Discover the SDGs, a virtual education and trade-fair event
Discover the SDGs comprises a virtual and active exhibition featuring the 17 goals plus on-demand discussions between representatives of the industry and representatives of the UN.
July 2021
Messe Frankfurt, in collaboration with the Conscious Fashion Campaign and the United Nations Conscious Fashion & Lifestyle Network launched the Frankfurt Fashion SDG Summit.
Keynote talks, interviews, panel discussions and performances sketched the global status of fashion and design, setting out the path to transformation in the industry, to a politics of humanity, to climate protection, and to clean oceans.
June 2022
Taking part in the first annual conference of the United Nations Conscious Fashion & Lifestyle Network
At the beginning of June 2022, the international network of representatives from the fashion and lifestyle industry, media, governments and UN institutions, met together for their first annual conference at the head-quarters of the United Nations in New York – and among them was the Texpertise Network of Messe Frankfurt.
June 2022
Incorporating the SDGs into the first NEONYT Lab
At the end of June 2022 the Texpertise Network opened to end consumers for the first time, in the shape of the NEONYT Lab. Visitors were able to assemble sustainable fashion styles and purchase them directly, find information and network, or become active themselves.
January 2023
SDG Talk at NEONYT in Düsseldorf
In January 2023, the SDGs were presented at NEONYT in the course of a panel talk during the Fashionsustain Conference. The aim of the talk was to build a connection between the global perspective and strong regional and local sector communities.
Voices from the network
„Since our Texpertise Network reflects the whole of the value-added chain, we regard this as a duty, and at the same time as an opportunity, to promote the Sustainable Development Goals actively at our worldwide textile events, in order to sharpen global awareness of the need for more sustainability, and to meet the manifold challenges of our time.“
“Mobilizing expertise, innovation, technology and resources can only be achieved through strong partnerships. Messe Frankfurt‘s Texpertise Network was one of the first members and valuable partners of the Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network.“
"The textile industry is characterised by stark contrasts. In the sector, one can find both traditional craftsmanship as well as high-tech with fully digitalised and automated production processes. At the same time, delivery chains are more complex and interlinked on a global scale than in virtually any other industry. Sustainability can only be achieved in close cooperation with the right partners."
Global reach
Through our voluntary commitment to the SDGs and our related initiatives we are reaching the industry’s exhibitors and trade visitors, media professionals, social-media multipliers, end consumers and representatives of government equally.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.
About the UNITED NATIONS CONSCIOUS FASHION AND LIFESTYLE NETWORK
The United Nations Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network is a dynamic online platform bringing together industry stakeholders, media, governments, and UN system entities to collaborate and showcase responsible business practices guided by the Sustainable Development Goals.
Given the significant impact of the fashion and lifestyle sectors on society and the environment, the network is dedicated to fostering transparent, inclusive, and transformative engagement of global stakeholders to drive urgent action for sustainability. The network's key objective is to mobilize fashion and lifestyle expertise, innovation, technology, and resources towards achieving a more just and equitable world for all.
The United Nations Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network is a joint initiative of the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the Fashion Impact Fund; in collaboration with the Division for Sustainable Development Goals - United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. These leading entities regularly convene events aligned with key UN meetings to showcase the network’s initiatives.
