At VibeIQ, we’re passionate about driving digital innovation in footwear. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our sponsorship of PI Apparel’s inaugural Stride USA 2025, an event dedicated to shaping the future of footwear product design and development.
Taking place on March 11-12 in Portland, Oregon, Stride USA 2025 brings together top footwear brands, industry leaders, and technology innovators to explore the latest advancements in Digital Product Creation (DPC), AI-driven design, maturing technologies, local manufacturing, and sustainability.
This year’s theme, ‘Innovate Your Sole’, couldn’t be more “fitting.” The industry is undergoing a digital renaissance, and brands that embrace smarter workflows, connected product data, and digital collaboration will gain a competitive edge.
VibeIQ Takes the Stage: Unpacking the Future of Digital Footwear Workflows
VibeIQ’s own CEO, Brian Lindauer, will be speaking on the Tech Titan Panel on Day 2 at 2:50 PM, where he’ll discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing footwear brands today, including:
- Breaking Down Barriers to Digital Adoption – How can brands scale digital workflows without restricting creativity or adding unnecessary complexity?
- Unifying Product Data for Smarter Decision-Making – Why are data silos still an issue, and how can brands move toward a truly connected digital ecosystem?
- AI’s Role in Footwear – What’s real today vs. overhyped, and how can AI enhance visualization, automation, and predictive analytics in product creation?
- Optimizing Supply Chains with Digital Tools – How can digital platforms like VibeIQ help brands tackle improve agility, and reduce waste?
Brian will be joined by fellow tech innovators in the footwear space for a candid discussion on what’s working, what’s not, and where digital transformation is headed.
Spotlight on a VibeIQ Customer: New Balance Takes the Opening Panel
We’re also excited to see our customer, New Balance, take center stage at Stride USA 2025. Mary Keefe Grim, Head of Global Digital Operations at New Balance, will join the Opening Panel on Day 1 at 9:15 AM to discuss how digital tools, 3D modeling, and AI are reshaping the future of footwear product development.
Expect deep insights on:
- Creating a seamless “Create-Make-Sell” pipeline – How can brands eliminate digital workflow gaps?
- Making the business case for digital transformation – How do companies drive change when traditional methods still have defenders?
- Future skills for footwear designers – What will it take to stay ahead in an AI-powered industry?
Mary will also participate in two roundtable discussions, offering valuable perspectives and best practices for modernizing footwear development.
Why Attend Stride USA 2025?
Stride USA 2025 is more than just another industry event—it’s an actionable roadmap for brands looking to accelerate speed-to-market, improve decision-making, and unlock digital innovation at scale.
- Network with top footwear brands and industry leaders.
- Learn how digital solutions like VibeIQ’s assortment lifecycle platform are helping brands move beyond disconnected tools and static workflows.
- Gain insights into the latest advancements in 3D, AI, and digital product creation to drive business impact.
Join Us in Portland!
We’re proud to support Stride USA 2025 as a sponsor and look forward to two days of game-changing conversations. If you’re attending, be sure to check out our sessions, visit our booth on-site to connect with our team, and explore how VibeIQ is shaping the future of how footwear brands go-to-market. See you in Portland on March 11-12!
