DAY 0 sets the sustainability agenda before Performance Days begins.
Positioned deliberately ahead of the fair on March, 17th, 2026, the interactive pre-conference format invites participants to step back from business as usual and address sustainability where it truly starts: at the source. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 shifts the perspective from managing consequences to tackling root causes.
As workshop lead Bowie Miles puts it:
“If we don’t consciously turn the tap off, it will eventually run dry. Real change starts at the source, not at the overflow.”
Why before the fair?
For Bowie Miles, DAY 0 should not feel like an optional add-on.
“DAY 0 needs to be an integral part of the Performance Days experience. Its messages should flow into the fair itself, through visibility, communication and continuity.”
By setting the tone before the exhibition opens, DAY 0 helps anchor sustainability thinking directly within the conversations and decisions taking place during the fair.
Participation instead of presentation
Rather than relying on classic listening formats, DAY 0 is built around dialogue, co-creation and hands-on work.
“Knowledge already exists,” says Miles, and continues:
“The real value lies in shared learning and connection. When people actively participate, engagement becomes deeper and commitment follows.”
Participants work collaboratively to map textile systems, explore material flows and understand where the biggest impact hotspots actually occur, upstream, in fibers, yarns, dyeing and processing.
Turning insight into impact
Many sustainability efforts still focus on end-of-life solutions because they are easier to integrate into existing business models. DAY 0 deliberately challenges this logic.
“End-of-life solutions manage symptoms,” Miles explains.
“Real transformation means slowing down, controlling or turning off the flow, instead of just managing the overflow.”
Hands-on exercises make sustainability tangible and personal
“Action helps us change what we do,” says Miles, and continues:
“When people work through systems themselves, learning becomes real, not theoretical.”
What stays with participants?
DAY 0 is about mindset shift and accountability.
“Sustainability is not a job role or a working-hours topic, it’s a lifestyle responsibility,” Miles emphasizes.
“Small actions matter. Small wins create momentum.”
Participants leave with a clearer understanding of where impact truly begins, realistic actions they can implement immediately, and new connections that support long-term change.
A necessary reset
Looking ahead, Miles is clear:
“The industry can’t keep repeating the same discussions without action. The future depends on producing less, producing better, and aligning business with planetary limits.”
DAY 0 “Turn the Tap Off” is not about adding more information, it is about reconnecting knowledge with behavior. A starting point that proves meaningful transformation starts before the fair even begins.
Find the detailed schedule and registration here.
About Performance Days
Performance Days is an international trade fair and conference focused on functional textiles, fabrics, and sustainability for the outdoor, fashion and sportswear industries. It brings together brands, manufacturers, and industry experts to explore innovations and strategies for responsible production.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.