The first edition of the Brazilian Footwear Show - BFSHOW, a fair held by the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados) and operated by NürnbergMesse Brasil between November 21st and 23rd, at the FIERGS Events Center in Porto Alegre/RS, has already confirmed over 130 international buyers from more than 100 companies. From all continents, players come from 29 countries. Importers will be brought through projects carried out in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) and NürnbergMesse Brasil.
The executive president of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, highlights that the efforts of both the entity and its partners were fundamental to bring the importers. "We will have, at BFSHOW, some of the main players from each continent. We will make the fair, in its first edition, the most internationalized of the national footwear shows thanks to the support and union of the sector, which understood the importance of an event focused on business," comments the executive.
The CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo, emphasizes that both the Brazilian exhibitor and retailer and the importer who visits BFSHOW will see an international-level fair, with a complete structure, facilitated logistics, ample parking, air-conditioned pavilions, meeting lounges, restaurants, and snack bars with varied food, among many other attributes. "The expertise of the international standard team at NürnbergMesse Brasil provides for the implementation of exhibitor segmentation, a practice at the main commercial fairs in the sector worldwide. Certainly, it will be a fair that will enter the history of the national footwear industry," comments Picolo.
International
Among the partners of the fair for international attraction is ApexBrasil, which since 2000 has maintained, together with the footwear entity, Brazilian Footwear. The Agency's Business Director, Ana Repezza, highlights that the program supports 312 Brazilian companies present in all regions of the country. "Together, ApexBrasil and Abicalçados promote a traditional and internationally recognized industry for quality and sustainability. We are very honored to actively participate in the first edition of BFSHOW, providing the coming of international buyers and opinion makers," comments the director, highlighting the strength of the Brazilian footwear sector, which produces annually more than 850 million pairs and exports about 15% to more than 170 countries. In addition to buyers, Brazilian Footwear promotes the coming of seven journalists and five international influencers. Guests from Argentina, Colombia, Spain, and Italy come to Porto Alegre through the Image and Influencers projects.
Buyers from the markets of South Africa, Australia, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Spain, United States, Guatemala, Kuwait, Libya, Mozambique, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, United Kingdom, Dominican Republic, Tanzania, and Uruguay are confirmed at BFSHOW.
Union enhanced
In addition to specific support for BFSHOW's internationalization, Abicalçados and NürnbergMesse Brasil have the sponsorship of the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae). Adriana Menegaz, the Fashion Manager at Sebrae Nacional, emphasizes that the support reaffirms the organization's commitment to fostering the growth of the footwear sector and getting closer to these entrepreneurs. 'Sebrae's goal is to promote a stronger connection with this important sector, generate business, and encourage innovation and the exchange of knowledge among players in the national fashion industry,' says the manager.
The unions of the 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 also support the realization of BFSHOW.
Check for more information – registration, exhibitor list, etc. – on the website.
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.
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.
