The first edition of the footwear fair Brazilian Footwear Show - BFSHOW, which brought together 137 brands at the Event Center FIERGS, in Porto Alegre/RS, raised the bar for the trade fair sector in the country. Organized by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) and NürnbergMesse Brasil, the show, which focused on transparency, business and opportunities for companies of all locals productions forms, size and market niches, received visitors from the country and around the world over the three days of the event, generating many businesses - which will be computed and announced soon - and others were agreed upon in the coming months.
The executive president of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, points out that the fair had a “kick start” that surprised even the greatest optimists. “BFSHOW is a fair organized by the for the market, which listens to all the players in this important link in the productive chain of the sector and which is already in the process of restoring the prestige of national footwear fairs”. According to him, the fact that it is a trade fair focused on business and has received more than 150 international buyers from 30 countries, as well as businessmen from all over the country, generated not only immediate business, but also sales prospects for the rest of the season. “Many sales, which were not closed on the spot have already been agreed. Apart from the expressive attendance, especially in the first days, the fair was effective, as a business event should be”, he concludes.
The structure of the BFSHOW, which was organized by the German organizer, with an office in Brazil, NürnbergMesse, was also highly praised. “We promote fairs in various economic segments, and it is the first time we have organized a footwear show. We are delighted with the result of the partnership with Abicalçados and to can combine our expertise with an entity that has been dedicated to the development of the footwear industry in Brazil for more than four decades”, commented the CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo. Highlights, for both exhibitors and visitors, include the structure and reception of the trade fair in one location with ample paved parking, easy access to Salgado Filho International Airport, options for restaurants and snack bars, high quality wifi connection and much more.
Exhibitors
The Marketing Manager of Ramarim (Nova Hartz/RS), Nelson Magagnin, points out that the first edition of BFSHOW fulfilled its goal. “We've had a good number of visitors, especially in the first few days. We've opened new markets and welcomed customers for business relations. I think the highlight of the fair in the capital was the structure and logistics that made the event possible”, he evaluates.
The director of Cactus (Jaú / SP), Renato Denardo, considers that the highlight of the fair was its internationalization. After starting to export last year, the company explored new markets during BFSHOW, especially with South American countries. “BFSHOW is a trade fair with great growth potential. In São Paulo, in May, the fair will be even bigger, and Jaú's collective stand should double the number of companies (from 6 to 12)”, that exhibit.
The opinion is shared with Maurício Wendling, director of Calçados Wirth (Dois Irmãos/RS). According to him, BFSHOW is already born internationalized, having received buyers from more than 100 groups from 30 countries on all continents. “The first edition of BFSHOW is the most internationalized that we have participated in Brazil in recent years”, he evaluates. During the three days of the fair, the footwear company received buyers from the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Italy, Portugal, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and other countries.
Savelli (Franca/SP) participated in an “impeccable” trade fair, according to its director Marcel Mendes. He points out that, despite the Brazilian and global economic situation, the results were positive. "Trade fairs are places of relationships, where many deals are made or planned for the future. We received clients from Brazil, but above all from all over the world, from the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Latin America”, he points out.
Charles Werb, Export Coordinator of Itapuã (Cachoeiro De Itapemirim/ES), also highlights the quality of the contacts provided by the fair. “We've had a lot of potential business with international buyers. The efforts made to promote the trade fair were essential for this result”, he evaluates.
"Regained the relevance of fairs”
As a B2B (business to business) event that generates business, the main aim of the trade fair is to generate good connections and business for the supply of national and international trade. And at this point, BFSHOW has also stood out in this regard. The first edition of the fair, attended by thousands of shop owners of all sizes and parts of Brazil, made buyers eager for the next edition in May next year, this time in São Paulo/SP. Store owner Silvia Léia Terno Ribeiro do Val, from Léia Calçados (Andradina/SP) highlights the quality of the structure offered by the fair, which provided comfort and agility for work. "We closed deals, in a differentiated show” she says. According to her, despite digitization and large networks, tradition and eye-to-eye contact still grant a key role to trade fairs.
The store owner Maria Bethania Cavalcante from Econis (Alagoinhas/BA), a chain with more than 50 stores in the Northeast, emphasized: “BFSHOW has restored the glamor and relevance of shoe fairs”. Delighted with the structure and reception offered, the buyer says that the group did good business with exhibitors from different segments. "We not only made purchases, but also selected products for future purchases. BFSHOW has not only given us the opportunity to do business, but also the assembly of our Autumn/Winter collection, thanks to the quantity and quality of the novelties presented”, she concludes.
International quality
New Zealand buyer Glen Maher from Maher Shoes points out that he was pleasantly surprised by the trade fair. “I didn't expect to see so many brands and segments here. We came to buy men's shoes and ended up taking women's too,” he says. And he goes even further: “The stands are more eye-catching and beautiful than Micam's". Thanks to the international standard, the BFSHOW has “incredible" growth potential for the coming years.
Marcelo Maurer, buyer of MP Imports from Paraguay, also highlights the organization and facilities of an event designed for the comfort of the exhibitor and buyers. "In addition to business, we were delighted with the hospitality and treatment. It was clear that every detail was taken care of to provide an excellent experience”, he evaluates, stressing that he will return for the next editions.
Union
BFSHOW is a fair held by Abicalçados, organized by NürnbergMesse Brasil and sponsored by the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae). The official partnership is the Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (ApexBrasil). The support is from the unions of the footwear industries of Rio Grande do Sul, Bahia, Paraíba, Estância Velha, Sapiranga, Birigui, Campo Bom, Dois Irmãos, Jaú, Fortaleza, Farroupilha, Parobé, Franca, Igrejinha, Nova Serrana and Novo Hamburgo. Learn more about the fair on the website www.bfshow.com.br.
About Abicalçados
Abicalçados represents the Brazilian footwear industry, fifth largest in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Founded in 1983, Abicalçados is based in Novo Hamburgo, state of Rio Grande do Sul, and its members are companies of all sizes accounting for more than 65 percent of the footwear produced in the country. The entity represents an industry that employs more than 300,000 people. Its mission is to represent, defend, develop, and promote Brazil’s footwear industry with respect, excellency, and results.
About the organizers
NürnbergMesse Brasil is a subsidiary of the NürnbergMesse Group, one of the 15 largest fair organizers in the world. The group’s portfolio includes more than 120 international fairs and congresses (14 of them in Brazil) and more than 40 pavilions. Every year, more than 30,000 expositors and more than 1,5 million visitors meet in events hosted by NürnbergMesse, which also has subsidiaries in China, United States, Brazil, Greece, Italy, and India, The group also established a network with sone 50 representatives operating in more than 116 countries.
