The first edition of the Brazilian Footwear Show - BFSHOW, happening from November 21st to 23rd at the FIERGS Exhibition & Convention Centre in Porto Alegre, Brazil, will be a milestone in the history of the footwear industry. This is because, besides being a distinctive trade show in terms of logistics, cost optimization, transparency in numbers - all audited -, segmented and internationalized visitation, the event already has a significant support network of 16 footwear industry associations from all over Brazil.
Leading the organization of the first national trade show promoted by the market for the footwear market, with a strong focus on business, is the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados), in partnership with the promoter NürnbergMesse Brasil. The executive president of the footwear entity, Haroldo Ferreira, highlights that, in addition to being a business platform for the industry, BFSHOW is becoming a link uniting the representative entities of the main footwear manufacturing hubs in Brazil, from North to South of the country. "It's nearly unanimous in the market that we needed changes in the industry's launch calendar. Since the inception, when the idea of a trade show organized by Abicalçados started being discussed, we had a democratic process that involved all parties, potential exhibitors, and retailers. I believe this fact was crucial in forming this unprecedented support network in our field," evaluates the executive.
CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo, emphasizes the importance of unity and synergy among the representative entities of the sector. "Undoubtedly, this support network created around BFSHOW will provide an extra boost to the most important national footwear fair in Brazil. In addition to already having over 70% of Brazilian footwear hubs represented at the event, BFSHOW will feature a significant diversity of companies, profiles, and products, which should attract more retailers and international buyers from major global players," he projects.
Sindifranca: Long-awaited demand
The President of the Footwear Industry Union of Franca (Sindifranca), José Carlos Brigagão, highlights that Abicalçados has historically worked towards the advancement of the footwear industry. "The initiative to create BFSHOW was another response to a long-standing demand from the industry for a fair that would unite events in Brazil to strengthen footwear business. The fair, bearing the internationally recognized Brazilian Footwear brand, will attract an uncountable number of retailers and importers to Brazil," he evaluates. According to Brigagão, the established strategy of reaching out to the United States, Europe, and the Middle East will further enhance international participation. "Certainly, BFSHOW will soon become a must-attend event in the international fashion calendar. We at Sindifranca, responsible for the Espaço Moda Franca collective, will be present at this historic event," he proudly states.
Sicergs: Support for development
The President of the Footwear Industry Union of Rio Grande do Sul (Sicergs), Renato Klein, points out that the initiative is yet another one that supports the development of the Brazilian footwear sector. "Representing the largest exporter among all Brazilian states, in terms of revenue from footwear exports, Sicergs is very pleased to support this initiative for the industry. The national footwear industry, which has long suffered from a serious deindustrialization process, increasingly needs solutions that help both domestic and international sales. BFSHOW, born with the proposal of being a fair made by footwear professionals for footwear professionals, with a clear market orientation and a focus on business, is a fair that will certainly contribute to the development of our sector through commercial promotion and image," he highlights. Klein emphasizes that the event has an extremely experienced team with a broad background in organizing Brazilian participation in some of the world's largest footwear fairs.
Sinbi: Unity of companies
The President of the Footwear and Apparel Industry Union of Birigui (Sinbi), Renato Ramires, highlights that BFSHOW has united not only entrepreneurs from the local footwear hub but from all over Brazil in support of industry development. "The fair allows for the presentation and valorization of products, regardless of company size or market niche. Certainly, it will play a key role in increasing national and international visibility for the involved brands," he comments. For him, the fair also reinforces the sector's representativeness, putting companies at the forefront of the event's consolidation process. "Our expectations are very positive, as we believe BFSHOW will create opportunities with both national and international retailers, aligning companies according to buyer demand," Ramires projects, emphasizing the crucial role of ApexBrasil in attracting qualified buyers from major international players.
Dois Irmãos and Bahia: a new fair culture
Paulo Vicente Bender, President of the footwear industry unions of Dois Irmãos and Bahia, believes in the fair's success, especially for the innovation it represents in creating a "new culture" in the sector. He points out that while BFSHOW strongly works on the potential of the largest non-Asian footwear industry on the international stage, it unites companies from all Brazilian hubs. "The partnership between Abicalçados and the industry unions primarily facilitates the exchange of local and national information and experiences, providing a better future perspective for the activity. My expectation is optimistic, both for the domestic and international markets," he evaluates.
Sindinova: Perfect match
The Chief Financial Officer of the Inter-municipal Footwear Industry Union of Nova Serrana (Sindinova), Júnior César Silva, emphasizes that the relevance of BFSHOW lies mainly in the fact that the organization has always listened to entrepreneurs regarding setup, promotion, costs, etc., something that was not the case with conventional fairs in the market. "BFSHOW is already capturing the attention of companies from our Nova Serrana hub, and therefore, the partnership between Abicalçados and Sindinova is even more relevant. Many companies here, often due to budget constraints, wouldn't be able to participate individually, but now they can join a collective space through this partnership," he explains. According to Júnior, the expectations for business are positive, especially because the fair has a focus on business rather than just promotion and prospecting. "Our expectation is that factories will leave BFSHOW with actual sales made. I believe that, combining Abicalçados' expertise with that of entrepreneurs who are already accustomed to participating in national and international fairs, the fair will be a success. It's a perfect match," concludes the leader.
SIC NH: Support in uncertain times
For the President of the Footwear Industry Union of Novo Hamburgo (SIC NH), Paulo Ricardo da Silva, the fair should aid the footwear sector in its recovery during an "still uncertain" time, with fluctuating domestic markets and difficulties caused by the slowdown of the international economy and China's re-entry into the footwear market. "The representative entities have a significant role and challenge of not only constantly seeking better production conditions with public authorities but also pointing out the best paths for company competitiveness, from inside the factory. In this sense, we believe that Abicalçados, through BFSHOW, is pursuing the best for the sector, optimizing costs, and focusing on business to supply both the national and international retail markets, with the vital support of ApexBrasil," he comments. Regarding the importance of the integration between Abicalçados and the Brazilian footwear hubs, the leader emphasizes that unity is crucial. "Abicalçados is the umbrella for the issues we work on in the hubs. This closeness for the strengthening of BFSHOW is essential for that reason, as it brings another business opportunity to companies and shows that the industry's strength is distributed all over Brazil," he adds.
Sindicalçados: Important solution
The Footwear Industry Union of Jaú (Sindicalçados) has long been a partner of Abicalçados, acting as a regional arm of development in one of the fastest-growing footwear hubs in Brazil. According to the President of the union, Luis Felipe Rodomonte de Souza, the initiative to hold BFSHOW is an important solution as it optimizes costs in a trade show that is truly business-focused and is expected to attract thousands of Brazilian and international buyers, first to Porto Alegre and then to São Paulo. "Having a serious and committed entity like Abicalçados leading BFSHOW is a guarantee that the event is already successful. And we, the Brazilian footwear manufacturers, are the ones who benefit," he says.
Sindigrejinha: Market dynamism
The Chief Financial Officer of the Inter-municipal Footwear Industry Union of Nova Serrana (Sindinova), Júnior César Silva, emphasizes that the relevance of BFSHOW lies mainly in the fact that the organization has always listened to entrepreneurs regarding setup, promotion, costs, etc., something that was not the case with conventional fairs in the market. "BFSHOW is already capturing the attention of companies from our Nova Serrana hub, and therefore, the partnership between Abicalçados and Sindinova is even more relevant. Many companies here, often due to budget constraints, wouldn't be able to participate individually, but now they can join a collective space through this partnership," he explains. According to Júnior, the expectations for business are positive, especially because the fair has a focus on business rather than just promotion and prospecting. "Our expectation is that factories will leave BFSHOW with actual sales made. I believe that, combining Abicalçados' expertise with that of entrepreneurs who are already accustomed to participating in national and international fairs, the fair will be a success. It's a perfect match," concludes the leader.
The trade show
Less than four months away from its realization, the first edition of BFSHOW already has over 100 confirmed brands, occupying more than 90% of the available exhibition spaces at the FIERGS Exhibition & Convention Centre. NürnbergMesse Brasil, a promoter company linked to the German NürnbergMesse group, reports an estimate of over 150 brands, fully occupying the 12,000 square meters of the venue.
The brands ADG Export, Adrun, Ma Belle Calçados, Anatomic Gel, Andacco, Batatinha, BTA, Bebecê, b/green, Bibi, Boaonda, Bottero, Byara, Camin, Carrano, Cravo & Canela, Crômic, D Capri, Dakota, Kolosh, Mississipi, Tanara, Campesí, Pink Cats, Kolway, Democrata, Di Valentini, Improviso, Mormaii, Dilly Sports, West Coast, Ferracini 24h, Freeway, Gogowear Calçados, Guilhermina, Itapuã, New Face, JM Shoes, Kidy, K360, Minecraft, Corinthians, Klin, Levecomfort, Leveterapia, Sua Cia, Mini sua Cia, Lynd, Macboot Calçados, Ortopasso, Pampili, Pampili Mini, Tweenie, Calçados Pegada, PG4, Piccadilly, Pimpolho, Colorê, Plugt, Ramarim, Comfortflex, Randall, Savelli, SVL Footwear, Scatamacchia, Star Flex, Stir Calçados, Strike, Aramis, Coca-cola Shoes, Colcci, Diversão Calçados, Forum, Hurley, Street, Redley, Kenner, Rainha, Topper, Usaflex, Via Marte, Via Uno, Villarosa, Villione, Vizzia, Mac Colors, Macarena, Delta Sport, Léo Kids, Vizzia Kids, Léo Baby, Bia Baby, Vulcabras - apresentando as tecnologias Mizuno, Olympikus e Under Armour -, Walk Way, Wirth, World Colors, LPS, Hello Kitty, Alex Senne, Classe Couro, Djean, U Frog, Ortopé, Zetti Bolsas and Viccini are confirmed in the first edition of BFSHOW.
The realization of BFSHOW is supported by the industry unions 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.
