IFLS+EICI in Colombia: Business and trends in leather, footwear and manufactured goods
From February 4 to 7, the Gran Salón at Corferias in Bogotá hosted the 49th edition of the International Footwear Leather Show (IFLS) and the 31st edition of the International Exhibition of Leather, Supplies, Machinery, and Technology (EICI). The event experienced an intense pace over the four days, delivering highly positive results.
Regarding the fair, Marcela Caicedo Ríos, Executive President of the Colombian Association of Footwear, Leather and its Manufactured Goods Industrialists (ACICAM), stated: "We are grateful to everyone who made this event possible, which reflects the sector’s commitment to creativity, sustainability, and the evolution of the industry."
IFLS+EICI welcomed 10,027 visitors, including representatives from leading Colombian companies that sell footwear and leather goods. The event also attracted 633 specialized international buyers, offering them the opportunity to explore new collections from exhibitors and establish business relationships.
Additionally, this edition gathered 430 national and international exhibitors, generating commercial transactions worth US$ 12.2 million, according to event organizers.
Foreign participation was led by a Brazilian delegation featuring 30 companies specializing in footwear components and machinery, supported by the Brazilian Materials program -an initiative of the Brazilian Association of Companies of Components for Leather, Footwear and Manufactured Goods (ASSINTECAL) in collaboration with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (APEX-BRASIL)-.
According to ASSINTECAL, Brazilian stands received over 700 visits, with a strong presence of Latin American buyers. The commercial opportunities were significant, with projected deals expected to exceed US$ 5 million, doubling the amount recorded in the July 2024 edition.
Alongside Brazil, local brands and companies, and from Mexico, Italy, Spain, and Türkiye also took part in the fair, further solidifying the event’s international scope as a key platform for the footwear, leather, and manufactured goods industries in the Andean region.
In parallel to the trade fair, the Area 360 hosted an academic program featuring conferences and activities aimed at guiding the industry on trends and innovation.
Additionally, the specialized fashion space presented Fall/Winter 2025-2026 season, highlighting textures, colors, and designs.
ACICAM is already preparing for the next edition of IFLS+EICI, set to take place from July 1 to 4, 2025, at Corferias, Bogotá. In this second edition of the year, the participation of important footwear and manufactured goods companies, suppliers of materials, components and technology is expected, in a special occasion that will celebrate the 50th edition of IFLS.
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