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Assocalzaturifici held its Annual Meeting the past few days in Bologna. The meeting had to be held behind closed doors due to the pandemic, but the issues discussed will be the focus of an event to be attended in person at the end of the year. At the meeting, Chair Siro Badon emphasised the impact of Covid-19 on the footwear industry, one of the hardest-hit sectors of production, along with other components of the Italian Textiles, Fashion and Accessories sector. In 2020 the sector lost about 1/4 of its total turnover (with the final balance being 10.72 billion euro, -25.2% compared to 2019) and national production. There were sharp reductions in both foreign trade and domestic consumption. After the collapse in levels of business during the first part of the year, as a result of the lockdown, there was just some respite in the severity of the decline in the next two quarters (although this still remained in double-digit territory), as opposed to a V-shaped recovery.

“The preparations for Gallery FASHION & Shoes are in full swing. We’re looking forward to the upcoming event on the usual scheduled date: but of course only for individuals who have been vaccinated, tested, or who have recently recovered from COVID-19. Exchange and inspiration are more important than ever. Customers want to be surprised and wowed with new ideas and insights! A direct, personal connection is key here: whether in the ordering of new collections or at the POS itself. That’s why we have also added extra industry talks on topical issues to our accompanying line-up. The Areal Böhler has meanwhile developed into a hip location with impressive catering offers – an added bonus for all our visitors during their time here.” Ulrike Kähler Managing Director of Igedo Company

“We can finally get started again in our traditional form,” explains Assocalzaturifici and MICAM chair Siro Badon. “Our member companies need to meet with buyers in person again and re-establish their relationships. We have been working tirelessly to provide all the tools necessary to re-launch business opportunities, negotiate orders, and help Italian companies penetrate international markets. This is the only way to revive an industry that makes an essential contribution to the Italian economy. And we’re ready!"

Milan, 13 May 2021 - “The government’s recent announcement of a date for starting physical trade fair events again makes us cautiously optimistic about the future,” says Assocalzaturifici and MICAM Chair Siro Badon. “Starting up this virtuous system again, at the service of enterprises and the exports that result from trade fairs, means relaunching the whole industry on world markets,” explains Badon. “We’re working on an edition concentrated in a new three-day formula rather than the usual four days, guaranteeing perfect safety under protocols developed with Fiera Milano. MICAM is the first business opportunity of decisive importance for our member companies, a privileged venue for negotiating orders and opening up opportunities for growth and penetration of new markets. It is essential for relaunching a crucial sector of Italian industry and our economy, a sector of production that suffered great difficulty in 2020 as a result of the pandemic”.