The Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) will host the 26th edition of the Foro Latinoamericano de Calzado. The event, which takes place on May 20th and precedes the BFSHOW fair in São Paulo/SP, is an initiative by the Agrupación de Cámaras de Calzado de América Latina (ACCAL) that takes place annually - in different countries - to discuss topics related to the footwear industries in the region.

The executive president of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, points out that the objective of the meeting is to promote integration between footwear entities in Latin America, adding knowledge and connections between entrepreneurs, footwear professionals and shopkeepers through an event that unites a program of lectures (see below) and a networking cocktail. "The forum has the role of strengthening Latin America as a bloc through footwear. The debate about the challenges in each country, as well as the generation of knowledge through success stories, is fundamental to unite the sector in this region”, evaluates the executive.

The Forum is an event with limited places. According to Abicalçados, there will be approximately 200 participants, including entrepreneurs, industry professionals and shoe store owners, guests, sponsors, government authorities and the press. The tickets, available in a reduced lot at a cost of R$ 350, will give access to the program's lectures and the networking cocktail. Abicalçados members and invited merchants will have a 50% discount through a promotional code. Tickets can be purchased through the Sympla platform link. 

The event is a realization of ACCAL in partnership with Abicalçados, with the gold sponsorships of Kisafix and Nofake, and silver sponsorship of Banco do Brasil. The official partnership is with NürnbergMesse Brasil, the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC) and the Federal Government.

Schedule

08 AM - Reception and accreditation

08:30 AM - Opening

09 AM - Opportunities for footwear in Latin America, with Priscila Linck (Abicalçados) 

10 AM - Panel 1 - Common industry challenges (Argentina / Ecuador / Nicaragua)

10:45 AM - Panel 2 - Local and International Trade Promotion (Brazil / Peru / El Salvador)

11:30 AM - Panel 3 - Industry innovations (Mexico / Colombia / Uruguay)

12:15 PM - Lunch break

2PM - Strong brands and the future of retail, with Lucas Feltes (WT.AG)

3PM - Meet the Oscar group (BRA), with Purchasing and Commercial Director Naiche Van der Poel

3:30 PM - Meet the Mario Hernández group (COL), with Creative Director Lorenzo Hernández

4 PM - Retail case to be confirmed

4:30 PM - Panel International Shoe fairs (BFSHOW, Expo Riva Schuh and IFLS+EICI)

5:15 PM - INTERGERACIONAL 2025_I: INSPIRAMAIS behavior and fashion research, with Marnei Carminatti

5:45 PM - Now & Then - The reality and the 2024/25 season main trends, with Luana Lanzini and Luana Savadintsky (Fashion Directions)

6:15 PM - Happy Hour / cocktail

Service

XXVI Foro Latinoamericano de Calzado 

Date: May 20th, 2024 

Opening hours: 8 AM

Location: Torre Aroeira Auditorium (Av. das Nações Unidas, 14401, Chácara Santo Antônio, São Paulo/SP)

Learn more: https://forolatamcalzado.com/