Micam sees recovery
Micam ShoEvent, the international fair dedicated to footwear organized by the Italian Association of Footwear Manufacturers has just ended and the results seem to indicate the hoped-for signs of recovery.
“Taking into consideration an economic situation that is still negative” – stated ANCI president Vito Artioli – and the concerns that characterized the eve of the opening because of the continuing crisis, the presence of 39,857 visitors (a slight downturn of 4.9% compared to September 2008), 20,644 of whom were from abroad (-2.3%), has given the sector an injection of hope.”
The exhibitors were pleased with the trend at the stands, which confirms MICAM’s role not only as a promotional stage, but primarily as an important business setting for making concrete commercial contacts.
The presence of Spain, France, the Netherlands, Greece and Japan was interesting, although there were fewer Russian presences, partly justified by the upcoming OBUV in Moscow from October 13 through 16, 2009.
“The creative and production ability of the participating companies” – Artioli continued – “is the key to the strength of this fair and an essential tool for attracting buyers who can depend on a high-quality offer that is complete, wide and diversified. At the same time, in order to be constantly in line with market requests, the input and suggestions by buyers and exhibitors are a further encouragement to check out new opportunities for development, also in the fair format.”
It is the relationship with buyers that animates the Micam Award, which was presented to Rossella Mori of Siena for Italy and Elias K. Saliba of Lebanon for abroad, synonym for the attention the event gives to the most prominent buyers.
Taking part at the fall edition of Micam ShoEvent were 1,601 companies, 589 of which were from abroad, which presented the collections for spring/summer 2010 in an exhibition area of 71,716 square meters.
This edition was characterized by innovation: there was interest in the first i-phone application by which the elements of footwear can be chosen, with the reproduction of a personalized model on the cell phone.
Attentive to young people and new ways of communicating shoe products, Micam was an interesting platform for young creative talents from all over the world who presented 30 works on the theme Crazy About Italian Shoes. The winner of the second ANCI Creative Award – emerging art edition was Jose Sala who gave a creative interpretation of legendary Italian footwear and its international uniqueness.
