PAC is thrilled to announce that Blayne Hettinga, PhD, will be a featured speaker at the upcoming 2025 PAC Symposium. He will be leading two sessions, with details provided below.

Blayne Hettinga offers an insider’s perspective on the complex world of footwear innovation, drawing from his experience at adidas. During this session Blayne will explore how companies navigate the intersection of cutting-edge science, marketing demands, and design aesthetics. Learn how brands balance in-store comfort with real-world performance, strive to craft engaging and authentic marketing stories, and meet both athlete needs and consumer preferences.

In this focused keynote session, Blayne delves into the science behind running performance. During this session Blayne will explore the key biomechanical factors that influence running economy and how performance footwear—especially “super shoes” —enhances efficiency. Blayne will then break down the essential components of modern running shoes, explaining how they work together to give athletes a competitive edge.

Blayne Hettinga is a Kelowna native and recognized expert in biomechanics and sports innovation. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomechanics from the University of Calgary; he has made significant contributions to improving athletic performance and enhancing sports equipment. As the former Director of Research and Development at the Running Injury Clinic, Blayne developed the 3D Gait Analysis System which enhanced data informed clinical practice and directly enabled more than a dozen scientific publications.

Blayne’s extensive expertise in footwear innovation was refined during his time as Director of Athlete Science at adidas, where he played a key role ground products including adidas4D, Strung, Shift, UltraBoost, BoostLight, and others. His focus on applying scientific research ensured measurable, functional benefits for athletes in every innovation project.

Currently, Blayne serves as the Director of Research and Development at PRE Labs, focusing on survivability product and body armour solutions. His experience also extends to academia, where he has mentored graduate students and taught courses as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary.

As a keynote speaker at the 2025 Pedorthic Association of Canada Symposium, Blayne will share insights into footwear development, from company priorities to innovation processes, and explore how cutting-edge designs like “super shoes” are enhancing athletic performance.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact:

Email: info@pedorthic.ca