Calçados Bibi, a pioneering brand in the children's footwear market, has confirmed its presence at the first edition of the Brazilian Footwear Show - BFSHOW. The fair will take place from November 21st to 23rd in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, at the FIERGS Events Center. At the event, organized by the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados) and organized by NürnbergMesse Brasil, Bibi will showcase its Winter 2024 collection to national and international buyers. The company will join more than 100 of Brazil's top footwear brands, expecting over 10,000 visitors from Brazil and abroad. 

BFSHOW is considered a showcase for Brazilian footwear, offering opportunities for clients to discover the diversity and quality of women's, men's, children's, and sports shoes from various sizes and production centers. This initiative will have two annual editions, with the second one scheduled for May 21st to 23rd, 2024, featuring the launch of the Spring/Summer 2025 collection, this time in São Paulo at the Transamérica Expo Center.  

"Bibi has chosen BFSHOW to participate and launch the Winter 2024 collection for multi-brand channels and some importers in the region. This will be the first edition of the trade fair, but we are with the footwear sector, which conducted researches in partnership with manufacturers and other channels, seeking to enable a new trade show format, to be held in Porto Alegre, and to bring improvements to the logistics of participating brands and visitors. Given all this, we have good expectations to start promoting our new collection for children aged 0 to 9. Thus, we aim to put our purpose into practice, which is to do good by aiding children's development through comfortable and quality products," emphasizes the brand's president, Andrea Kohlrausch. 

Currently, Bibi has over 150 stores worldwide, with 20 of them located in Latin American countries. With two manufacturing plants in Parobé, Rio Grande do Sul, and Cruz das Almas, Bahia, the brand produces over 2.6 million pairs of shoes annually. About 20% of these are destined for export to more than 60 countries across five continents. Bibi also has a strong presence in its own e-commerce channel and in more than 3,000 multi-brand stores in different regions of Brazil.  

About Calçados Bibi:  

Promoting natural and healthy development for the age group of 0 to 9 is one of the fundamental principles of Calçados Bibi. The brand is a pioneer and leader in developing products based on research and scientific studies. It gained recognition in the industry through the development of non-toxic, physiological shoes and its exclusive Fisioflex Bibi insole technology, which provides the sensation of walking barefoot. With the purpose of doing good, one step at a time, Bibi, wichh was founded in 1949 and became a reference in the children's footwear market, aims to promote sustainable practices, encourage the healthy development of future generations, and fulfill its social responsibilities for building a better world. With factories in Parobé, Rio Grande do Sul, and Cruz das Almas, Bahia, it produces more than 2.6 million pairs/items annually. Present in over 60 countries across five continents, in Brazil, it is in 3,000 multi-brand retail points, as well as operating an e-commerce platform and a franchise network with more than 150 stores. The company is the first footwear manufacturer certified with the Diamond Sustainability Seal, attesting to its commitment to initiatives in industrial processes, as well as the development of actions in line with the core principles established by the Sustainable Origin program: Environmental, Economic, Cultural, and Social. 

The first edition of the Brazilian Footwear Show - BFSHOW, which takes place from November 21st to 23rd at the FIERGS Exhibition & Convention Centre in Porto Alegre, Brazil, announces a partnership with INSPIRAMAIS for fashion curation. Through this partnership, the trade show organized by the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados) in conjunction with NürnbergMesse Brasil will publish fashion content via email marketing and its social media channels starting in September.

Letícia Sperb Masselli, Project Manager at Abicalçados, explains that the goal of the partnership is to provide light and easy-to-consume content for the retailers attending the event. "The content should contribute to greater accuracy and confidence during the purchasing process, as it will present fashion and consumer trends for Winter 2024 collection, which will be launched at BFSHOW in November 2023," she comments.

Rico Azeredo, Head of Business Development at NürnbergMesse Brasil, believes that the content, curated by Walter Rodrigues, the coordinator of the Design and Research Center of the Brazilian Association of Leather, Footwear, and Artifact Components Companies (Assintecal), will enhance the visitors' experience. "We are envisioning a distinctive trade show, aligned with the best practices of international events, focused on participant experience, product segmentation, and high-quality, relevant content for the industry as a whole," emphasizes Mr. Azeredo. He adds that more than 10,000 people are expected to visit the FIERGS Exhibition & Convention Centre over the three-day event.

Fashion

Designer Walter Rodrigues, who will curate the content, explains that the foundation of the work will be the Homo Faber research, which was presented in materials during the most recent edition of INSPIRAMAIS event in July. "The Homo Faber theme aims to showcase this creative individual, bridging the gap between manual work and artificial intelligence," Rodrigues said. The research highlights pragmatism and manual skill as guiding principles, emphasizing that originality is crucial to capture the consumer's attention. The research also highlights the stimulation brought about by materials and products, as well as the geometry present in checks, model angles, shoe shapes, weaves, and 3D prints. Themes like seduction, hypertextures, and western influences are also explored, alongside sustainability in the production process, reflected in products with floral patterns and earthy tones.

BFSHOW has the official partnership of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) and the support of the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), Assintecal, and footwear industry syndicates from various regions.

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.

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 fair

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.

Four months after its first edition, the Brazilian Footwear Show - BFSHOW, footwear fair held by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil, has more than 100 of the main brands in the sector confirmed for the November 21st to 23rd edition, at the FIERGS Exhibition & Convention Centre, in Porto Alegre/RS. The information comes days after the Abicalçados' announcement about the revision of the growth projection for 2023, which went from 1.7% to 2.1%, which means more than 865 million pairs produced. 

The CEO of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, points out that the more than 100 confirmed brands already occupy more than 90% of the spaces available for exhibition. “They are companies of all segments, sizes and footwear local productive arrangements, which demonstrates the unity of the sector in favor of BFSHOW”, comments the director, stressing that most of the companies will be exclusively at BFSHOW. According to him, the footwear industry, in general, adhered to the idea of having an event focused on business, transparent, and that, above all, reverts dividends in favor of the sector development into commercial promotion, image and training projects. ”Not only is the industry optimistic about the results, but it is united in favour of what is best for the business, " he adds. 

NürnbergMesse Brasil, a promoter company linked to the German group NürnbergMesse, reports the estimate of a total of more than 150 brands, which will fully occupy the 12 thousand square meters of the FIERGS Exhibition & Convention Centre. The promoter's projection is that more than 10 thousand people will visit the event, some of them foreigners. "Abicalçados, through the support of the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), works to bring more than a hundred international buyers from all continents. They are being nominated by the exhibitors themselves and being selected according to business and spreading potential”, says the CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo. 

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. 

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. 

The fifth largest industry in the world, the main one in the West, opens its doors to the world on November 21st-23rd, at the Event Center of the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Fiergs). On this date, the first edition of the Brazilian Footwear Show - BFSHOW takes place, an international footwear fair promoted by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil.

The executive president of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, points out that the show was a demand that came from the Brazilian industry, with the aim of being the meeting point of footwear Made in Brazil and the world. Focused on Business and with brands such as Democrata, Pegada, Piccadilly, Wirth, Carrano, Bibi, Klin and Kidy among the many confirmed, the event has more than 70% of Brazilian footwear Local Productive Arrangements represented. According to the leader, the largest footwear industry outside Asia deserved an event of this size, held by the association that represents the Brazilian footwear industry. “It is a historic moment not only for our national industry, but for the world market”, comments the executive, adding that, at the event, international buyers will find the main novelties of the sector for the autumn/winter season, with innovative and sustainability attributes. 

International power

With the support of the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), through its nine international offices, in addition to the International Buyer Project, carried out within the scope of Brazilian Footwear, BFSHOW will be an internationalized event. 

Abicalçados' Project Manager, Letícia Sperb Masselli, says that BFSHOW brings together the expertise of the entity's team, which has more than 20 years of experience in promoting Brazilian participation in international fairs and always organizes one of the largest foreign delegations in the main footwear fairs in Europe, such as Micam Milano and Expo Riva Schuh. “As much as we have expressive delegations at events in Europe, they do not compare to what we will present at BFSHOW. The Brazilian footwear industry is a powerhouse and our event brings together a diversity of suppliers and brands that can meet the most different demands", explains Leticia, stressing that companies that account for more than 80% of the national production of children's shoes, 73% of men's shoes and 43% of women's shoes are already confirmed. "The numbers should increase by November. The fact is that it will be a fairly diverse fair, where the buyer will be able to see the best in terms of quality, price, design, flexibility in negotiations and the competitive differential that is Sustainable Origin, the first certification in ESG and sustainable processes of the footwear chain in the world" says the manager. 

Differential

Another factor that draws attention to the realization of BFSHOW is to have in operation one of the main exhibition promoter groups in the world, the German NürnbergMesse. The group's portfolio has more than 120 international fairs and congresses (14 of them in Brazil) and more than 40 pavilions. Annually, around 30,000 exhibitors and more than 1.5 million visitors attend the events organized by NürnbergMesse, which is present, through its subsidiaries, in China, the United States, Brazil, Greece, Italy and India. The group also has a network of about 50 representatives, operating in more than 116 countries.

The group's CEO in Brazil, João Paulo Picolo, reinforces the international character of the event. "In Porto Alegre, we will have logistics prepared to receive buyers from all over the world. The pavilions of the FIERGS Exhibition & Convention Centre are less than 10 minutes by car from Salgado Filho International Airport and have a complete infrastructure for the convenience of the buyer, so that they may care exclusively about good deals,” he points out. 

International buyers interested in learning more about the first edition of BFSHOW can visit the website https://bfshow.com.br/en.

The first edition of the Brazilian Footwear Show - BFSHOW, which takes place at the Event Center of the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Fiergs), in Porto Alegre/RS, on November 21st to 23rd, is open to visitors. The event, held by Abicalçados in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil, already has the guaranteed presence of companies from 70% of Brazilian footwear poles and from all segments.

Abicalçados' CEO, Haroldo Ferreira, points out that most of the brands already confirmed will be exclusively with BFSHOW. “It is a vote of confidence from a sector that embraced the idea of having its own fair, in which the market and its aspirations are in charge. Another differential is that the event is not carried out by a third party, it is carried out by the association that represents the Brazilian footwear industry, with the money from it being reinvested in agendas and projects of interest to the sector, aiming to defend, develop and promote Brazilian footwear”, comments the leader, citing the example of the largest trade fair in the world, Micam Milano, which is carried out by the Footwear Association of Italy. “And we don't need to talk about the potency of Italian footwear. These are courageous attitudes that will make Brazilian footwear a global protagonist,” adds Ferreira, noting that Abicalçados already has more than two decades of experience in international fairs supported by Brazilian Footwear.

With the expectation of receiving more than 10 thousand national and foreign specialized visitors in the three days of the event, BFSHOW also has the support of the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), which is mobilizing its nine international offices - in the United States (Miami and San Francisco), the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Israel (Jerusalem), Colombia (Bogotá), China (Beijing and Shanghai), Belgium (Brussels) and Russia (Moscow) - to attract buyers. “We will also have an edition of the International Buyer project, which will add more importers of international relevance to the event”, says Abicalçados Project Manager, Letícia Sperb Masselli. Another differential, continues Leticia, is that the entity is receiving nominations of international players from the exhibitors themselves, which will make the action even more effective. "We will certainly have many of the world's leading footwear buyers at the fair," she concludes.

Differential
Another factor that draws attention to the realization of the so called Brazilian Footwear Fair is to have in operation one of the main exhibition promoter groups in the world, the German NürnbergMesse. The group's portfolio has more than 120 international fairs and congresses (14 of them in Brazil) and more than 40 pavilions. Annually, around 30,000 exhibitors and more than 1.5 million visitors attend the events organized by NürnbergMesse, which is present, through its subsidiaries, in China, the United States, Brazil, Greece, Italy and India. The group also has a network of about 50 representatives, operating in more than 116 countries.

The group's CEO in Brazil, João Paulo Picolo, highlights the training and experience of the promoter's team, as well as the professionalism to deliver a fair different from what the market has been presenting in relation to the sector's exhibitions. "The focus will be results and business. We've prepared, for example, a simplified visitor experience, where the Fair was organized into segments. Added to this, we have a complete infrastructure in the pavilion, which involves parking, security, food, internet and air conditioning, providing comfort to visitors during their connections. The focus is convenience for business, so much so that the fair is positioned precisely in an easily accessible place, with facilitated logistics, since the FIERGS Exhibition & Convention Centre is 10 minutes from the Salgado Filho International Airport”, evaluates the CEO.

Data from Abicalçados indicate that, in 2023, the sector is expected to produce more than 860 million pairs of shoes, of which about 130 million will be exported to more than 150 destinations. The number, which places the Brazilian footwear industry as the largest in the West, is another attraction of BFSHOW, as it should attract buyers from all continents to Porto Alegre/RS. Learn more about the fair on the Website.

The Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) participated, on July 23rd and 24th, of the National Meeting of Sebrae Managers, an event that aims to realign regional action strategies and projects carried out in partnership with other institutions. Abicalçados' participation included the presentation of the Footwear Industry Sector Report at the Sebrae booth at SICC, in Gramado/RS, and the Brazilian Footwear Show (BFSHOW) at the Grande Hotel Canela, in Canela/RS.

Abicalçados' project manager, Letícia Sperb Masselli, explains that the entity is developing an agreement with Sebrae “which is much desired because os the breadth and credibility of the institution in the national footwear sector”. According to her, in addition to the agreement, which is in the planning phase, the entity has the partnership of Sebrae in the Footwear Industry Sector Report and in the realization of the 1st edition of BFSHOW, a show in which the institution is committed to strengthening the relationship and the presence of micro and small companies both as exhibitors and shopkeepers.

On the 23rd, the presentation was conducted by Abicalçados' Market Intelligence Coordinator, Priscila Linck, who spoke about the figures and projections of the Footwear Industry Sector Report. According to her, unlike last year, it will be domestic consumption that will be fronting the growth of the footwear industry, estimated between 1% and 1.7% in 2023, to more than 860 million pairs. In addition to the detailed data of recent years, the publication also provides analysis, projections and opportunities - measured by the Competitiveness Index methodology. The publication is available Website.

Brazilian Footwear Fair
On the 24th it was Leticia's turn to present BFSHOW, a footwear fair promoted by Abicalçados in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil that has its first editions scheduled for November 21st to 23rd, in Porto Alegre/RS, and May 21st to 23rd, 2024 in São Paulo/SP. “From November, Abicalçados and Sebrae will be together in an event different from what we have in the market. Focused on business, BFSHOW has confirmed companies of all sizes, segments and Brazilian footwear poles. It is an event of the size of an industry that is the largest in the West, democratic and plural, in which exhibitors will have the opportunity to do business with buyers from the main markets of Brazil and the world”, commented the manager. The fair's registration is open on the Website.

Fifth largest shoe producer in the world, the largest outside Asia, with an industrial park that brings together more than 4,000 factories of all sizes and which has a preponderant economic strength in at least ten Brazilian states. It is this industry that, starting in November, will achieve another historic landmark. This is because, between the 21st and 23rd of that month, the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados), in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil, will hold the debut edition of the Brazilian Footwear Show (BFSHOW), at the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Fiergs), in Porto Alegre/RS. According to Abicalçados, nine months after its first edition, the footwear fair already has 85% of its spaces occupied, with companies of all sizes and Brazilian production centers.

With logistical advantages - as it takes place geographically close to the Salgado Filho international airport, in a city with a wide and qualified hotel network -, cost optimization for exhibitors, focus on business and excellent infrastructure, the first edition of the BFSHOW confirms the presence of players from all segments and sizes of the Brazilian footwear sector.

Another factor that has been attracting the attention of the sector, not only in Brazil, but internationally, is the fact that the BFSHOW is led by a national entity representing the activity, such as Micam Milano, an international reference in the segment of footwear exhibitions promoted by the association of Italian shoemakers, Assocalzaturifici. “Companies, of all sizes and segments, as well as large retailers, understood that it is an event demanded by the market. It is a fair held by the industry for retail, with no other interest than to meet the desires of the sector and provide one more tool for its development”, evaluates the executive president of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira.

The CEO of NürnbergMesse Brasil, João Paulo Picolo, projects a thriving fair with business effectiveness. “We are excited! The seal of Abicalçados, by itself, points to the strength of the fair, optimizing resources and generating more expressive returns for exhibitors. The expectation for the first edition of the BFSHOW is very good, mainly due to what we can feel in the footwear centers that we visited over the past year”, he highlights.

Sector sees an opportunity to increase sales
With an expected growth of 1.6% in production, reaching more than 860 million pairs produced in 2023, the Brazilian footwear industry sees in the event an opportunity to expand sales both in the domestic and international markets.

In the first month of 2023, positive news encouraged the activity. In January, the Brazilian footwear industry exported 14.63 million pairs, which generated US$ 117.9 million. The results are superior both in volume (+4.5%) and in revenue (+16.6%) compared to the first month of 2022. The great highlight was due to the United States, Latin American countries and Europe markets.

Para a BFSHOW, Paludetto destaca que a expectativa é bastante positiva, especialmente pela recuperação da representatividade e pujança de uma feira “do tamanho que o setor merece”. “Sabemos que a BFSHOW será uma construção, mas temos a expectativa de que se torne a principal feira nacional de calçados, para o mercado brasileiro e mundial”. Segundo o diretor, o fato de ter à frente uma entidade representativa, como a Abicalçados, facilita na interlocução com os players do mercado, tanto expositores quanto varejistas. “O mercado deve ter o comando. Ter a Abicalçados na promoção garante uma maior flexibilidade para atender às demandas do setor”, acrescenta, ressaltando, ainda, que são diferenciais desta primeira edição, em Porto Alegre/RS, a infraestrutura e as facilidades logísticas, já que a Fiergs fica localizada muito próxima ao aeroporto da capital gaúcha.

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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.

The executive president and Project Manager of the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados), Haroldo Ferreira and Letícia Sperb Masselli, were, on the 5th, in Brasília/DF. On the agenda was the signing of an official partnership agreement of the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) with the president and Business Director of the Agency, Jorge Viana and Ana Repezza. The goal is to reinforce the Agency's support in initiatives that have a direct impact on exports, such as the Brazilian Footwear Show (BFSHOW) and the Sustainable Origin - ESG certification program of the sector. 

The official partnership will boost footwear exports, at first bringing international buyers from all continents to the BFSHOW, which will have its first edition between November 21st and 23rd, at the Event Center of the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (FIERGS). Headquartered in Brasilia, ApexBrasil has international offices in the United States (Miami and San Francisco), the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Israel (Jerusalem), Colombia (Bogotá), China (Beijing and Shanghai), Belgium (Brussels) and Russia (Moscow). 

Ferreira highlights that the partnership is an important step to enhance the promotion of Brazilian footwear abroad. "ApexBrasil's support demonstrates the economic and social importance of the Brazilian footwear sector and takes our footwear to an international benchmark level. The participation of the agency as an official supporter of BFSHOW will certainly provide the coming to Brazil of some of the main players in footwear retail in the world”, evaluates the executive. 

The president of ApexBrasil, Jorge Viana, highlights the partnership of more than two decades with Abicalçados, through Brazilian Footwear, and the objective of the current management to further enhance support for national footwear. “Our partnership has always been a source of pride for the agency. We need to increasingly value this important segment of the national industry, which in addition to working strongly on sustainability, contributes with more than US$ 1.3 billion to the Brazilian trade balance and directly generates more than 300 thousand jobs in the country”, comments the leader. 

Last year, Brazilian footwear industries exported 142 million pairs, which generated US$ 1.3 billion, the best result in 12 years and 45.5% higher than that recorded in 2021. According to a report by Abicalçados, companies associated with Brazilian Footwear, a program to support exports in the sector maintained by Abicalçados in partnership with ApexBrasil, accounted for more than 80% of the value generated by shipments. 

About Brazilian Footwear:
Brazilian Footwear is an export incentive program developed by Abicalçados in partnership with ApexBrasil. This program aims to increase the presence of the Brazilian industry and its brands in the international market through development actions, commercial promotion and image. Read more: www.brazilianfootwear.com.br | www.abicalcados.com.br/brazilianfootwear.

About ApexBrasil:
The Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) acts to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve the objectives, ApexBrasil carries out diversified commercial promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and commercial missions, Business rounds, support to the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits by foreign buyers and opinion makers to get to know the Brazilian production structure among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand. The agency also works in coordination with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil with a focus on strategic sectors for the development of the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country. See More: https://apexbrasil.com.br.

BFSHOW, the fair that democratizes the trade event industry for the local footwear industry, announces that representatives from more than 70 percent of Brazil’s footwear clusters, from all segments and sizes in industry, have confirmed participation. Hosted by the Brazilian Footwear Industry Association in partnership with NürnbergMesse Brasil, the first edition of the Brazilian Footwear Show - BFSHOW – will take place in November 21-23 at the Event Center of the Federation of Industries of the Rio Grande do Sul State (Fiergs).

BFSHOW has segmented its floor plan by product type to improve the visitor experience and has confirmed the participation of children footwear manufacturers accounting for more than 80 percent of Brazil’s total production. Male footwear manufacturers are represented by 73 percent and female footwear manufacturers, 43 percent. “We are living a historic moment for Brazilian footwear industry when the industry’s association is hosting its own fair. For this reason, it is no surprise that the fair brings together representatives from almost all clusters, sizes and segments of an industry that last year produced almost 850 million items and is considered the Western Hemisphere’s largest. BFSHOW changes an important paradigm and by focusing on nosiness and transparency, has become the most democratic fair in Brazil”, says Haroldo Ferreira, chairman, Brazilian Footwear Industry Association.

Focus on business
The BFSHOW’s first edition will invite local buyers appointed through a Buying Program by the fair participants themselves and will feature projects promoting trade and enhancing brands for exportation. “Our Association, with Market Intelligence know-how and our sales team, is selecting local and foreign buyers according to interest levels of participating companies that are receiving forms for their nominations”, explains Mr. Ferreira. According to him, since its inception BFSHOW has considered market wishes from retail to manufacturing, all pursuing an event that is effectively business oriented. “It is only fair that we develop this fair together with the industry by listening to market wishes”, he says.

International markets
Calçados Bottero, a manufacturer of women footwear from the city of Parobé, state of Rio Grande do Sul, is one of the companies participating in the fair. The company produces more than 3 million pairs of footwear every year, of which 34 percent are exported, and the company has a positive outlook for 2023. “For us, 2022 was a year of recovery and growth with a 45 percent increase in revenue. We expect a 12 percent growth for this year”, says the company CEO, Paulo Victor Kauer. According to Mr. Kauer, although growth this year may come from the domestic market, there is expectation for an increase in exports. “We believe in Abicalçados efforts to bring more clients from other countries to BFSHOW, which should improve our sales overseas”, he says.

New horizons for the industry
Straight from Brazil’s Men Footwear Capital, Franca, in the state of São Paulo, PG4 Galleria manufactures men footwear with high added value for a client’s brand – the so-called private label. Producing 800 pairs daily, most of the company’s clients are overseas. “We currently export more than 60 percent of our footwear to 19 countries, and our main clients are based in the US, Colombia, Chile, Panama, Bolivia, and Guatemala”, says the company CEO Giuliano Gera. The company achieved a 54 percent growth last year but sees the beginning of 2023 as difficult. According to Mr. Gera, the outlook for the coming years will be largely determined by the BFSHOW, which opens a new horizon for the industry. “BFSHOW brings several Brazilian clusters together and is a remarkably disrupting event as it focuses on business and hopefully brings back the essence of a business fair, which is to connect companies and retail”, he adds.

Focus on business
The Sugar Shoes Group from Picada Café, state of Rio Grande do Sul, produces more than 36,000 pairs daily for their own brands and the likes of Coca-Cola, Aramis, and Hurley, among others, will join BFSHOW first edition. José Paulo Boelter, CEO, points out that 2022 was the year when the industry recovered, with a slight increase in revenue. For 2023, Mr. Boelter says the outlook is cloudy since sales did not take off in the first two months. “We want to keep production levels. BFSHOW will open a space to support the industry at this moment. We have high hopes as Brazil’s footwear industry deserves a fair of its own focused on business”, says Mr. Boelter, also pointing out the logistical benefits for retailers from other states and importers, as the fair will take place near Porto Alegre Airport in Rio Grande do Sul.

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.