IFLS+EICI: very positive edition in business and number of visitors

A new edition of the Colombian fair -IFLS+EICI- was held in Bogotá, between February 4 and 6, 2020. Thus, version 41 of the International Footwear and Leather Show (IFLS), along with the 23rd of the International Exhibition of Leather and Supplies, Machinery and Technology (EICI) were held in the Great Hall of the Corferias fairgrounds.

In this edition, the total area occupied was less than previous editions, since only the Great Hall was used, without the need for exterior pavilions, where the exhibition of finished products prevailed over that of the supply.

New proposals

In this sense, added to the exhibition of footwear (contemporary, formal, urban and children's); leather goods; components; soles, glue; ironwork; threads; leather, textiles and synthetics; among others, the fair included other new proposals.

The so-called “Zone 6” was an exhibition area dedicated to new exhibitors, in order to include them in the international profile fair; while the exhibition also had its place in La Boutique, intended for retail sale and greater awareness of brands by the end consumer. For its part, to promote the businesses of diverse firms, Conecta Halls was created.

As regards EICI, the novelty was the "Leather Hall", where renowned leather producers were part.

An edition of positive results

The Colombian Association of Footwear, Leather and Manufactures Industrialist (ACICAM) -organizer of the event- once again had the presence of Iván Duque -president of Colombia-. He visited the entire exhibition during the second day of IFLS+EICI, among other activities.

Thus, the presentation of trends for the Autumn/Winter 2020-2021 season had the participation of 435 exhibitors and attracted the interest of 11 thousand visitors. The results were translated into businesses worth more than US $ 12 million.

On the other hand, based on the work carried out by PROCOLOMBIA and the Mayor's Office of Bogotá, 40 companies from 13 countries were invited, which made purchases for around US $ 1 million. Which meant an increase of 38% compared to the same edition of 2019, as reported by Procolombia.

Parallel activities

The exhibition offer of the fair was complemented with 2 Hall of Innovators and 3 catwalks, in charge of the Limón Piel brand, local designer Patricia Mejía and 8 finalists of “Innovation for your Feet”.

In addition, 9 talks and 6 conferences with specialists and topics related to the sector were developed. The topics addressed in the latter included trends for Fall/Winter 2020-2021, logistics, international markets, business and consumer prospects. It was also carried out the conference “Enablers technologies 4.0 for the footwear industry”, by Miguel Davia of the INESCOP Research and Technology Center of Spain.

Notes of the fair

• Probably for reasons of costs and logistics, it was significant the presence of exhibitors in hotels adjacent to the Corferias fairgrounds. Especially those from the interior of the country.
  
  
• Rumors that the Venezuelan government would release currency for the purchase of footwear in Colombia, renewed expectations for shoemakers of border areas such as Cúcuta, North of Santander and Bucaramanga.
  
  
• It was notable the search for alternative providers to Asians, due to the coronavirus problem. At the level of finished products and supply, many companies look again at the regional market for their purchases before an eventual interruption of shipments from Asia.
  
  
• Among the most prominent local exhibitors were STANTON-BRAHMA, Calzados SAN POLOS, EVACOL, CALZAFLOR, MANISOL, GRUPO NOVA, MODAPLASS and CANGURO INTERNACIONAL. From Brazil, through ASSINTECAL -Suppliers Association- were the most important companies producers of materials, components, supplies and technology of ABRAMEQ -Association of Machine Manufacturers-. And by ABICALÇADOS and independently the leading brands in footwear of Brazil.
  
  
• From Italy, there were the big names of technology for sole and footwear production such as MAIN GROUP, WINTECH and OTTOGALLI. In addition to the Spanish division of ATOM.
  

• In the total of the offer sneakers predominated, with a great variety of models, elaborated in textile and synthetic materials, with comfort soles. The advance of the “athleisure” -sport- trend on formal and classic footwear was confirmed.

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