Closing the sales season of winter collections, the Italian Micam Milano fair reaffirmed its position as an exhibition of global reach. Between February 18th and 21st, in Milan, the 76 Brazilian brands received buyers from more than 90 countries. In total, there were more than US$ 31.7 million in deals, between on-site and agreed upon. Brazil's participation was promoted by Brazilian Footwear, a program to support footwear exports maintained by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) in partnership with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).

Over the four days of the exhibition, more than 1 thousand contacts were made with buyers from all continents. "The results of Micam Milano were positive within the context of a winter edition. Most of the brands reported contact with new customers, which represents the importance of the event not only for maintenance, but also for the prospecting and positioning of brands in the international market”, evaluates Paola Pontin, commercial promotion analyst at Abicalçados.

For Leandro Moscardini, export manager of Opananken (Franca/SP), the fair allowed the company to work on maintaining business, in addition to opening new customers and markets. "During Micam we opened the markets of the United States, Singapore, Romania, Chile, Panama and a new client in Japan. We did intense work before Micam Milano, contacting buyers from countries such as India, Singapore, Germany, Israel, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, and they all came. So, the fair was a positive surprise in terms of new contacts and within the expected in the agenda that we had scheduled”, said Moscardini.

Positive results were also recorded in Voices Culture (Farroupilha/RS), a company that participated for the fourth time in the Italian show. According to export manager Nathalia Schneider, the qualification of buyers who visited the stand stood out. “We have had good negotiations, we have been able to open customers and markets that we have not yet worked on, as well as we have expanded our distribution in Europe. So, even presenting the Winter collection, our participation was very positive and exceeded expectations,” said the manager of Voices Culture, a Brazilian brand that started its business in the international market and was launched in Brazil during the BFSHOW in November.

In their first participation in Micam Milano, the brands By Cool, 365 Soft and Solis Brasil left with the feeling of duty well done. “We had been evaluating the participation in Micam Milano for some time as a gateway to Europe. So we prepared to meet the market's needs, we've adapted products, we made samples with a focus on European buyers and we've had a very good acceptance, especially of the 365 Soft brand for its comfort, lining and leather insole”, said Schirley Sá, export manager of the brands produced in São João Batista (SC). In the four days of the show, the group began negotiations with new customers and was able to make on-site sales.

Participated in Micam Milano, with the support of Brazilian Footwear, the brands Dotz, Cartago, Cecconello, Degalls, Grendene, Grendha, Guilhermina, Ipanema, Luiza Barcelos, Luz da Lua, Rider, Santa Lolla, Satryani, Vicenza, Werner, Zaxy, 365 Soft, Actvitta, Adrun, Andacco, Beira Rio, BR Sport, By Cool, Campesi, Capelli Rossi, Carrano, Comfortflex, Cristófoli, Dakota, Jorge Bischoff, Kolosh, Kolway, LigthGel, Loucos & Santos, Madeira Brasil, Maithë, Mississipi, Modare Ultraconforto, Moleca, Molekinha, Molekinho, Perlatto, Petite Jolie, Pink Cats, Ramarim, Ramony, Solis Brasil, Tabita, Usaflex, Verofatto, Villione, Vizzano, Voices Culture, West Coast, Wirth, Anatomic Prime, Anatomic Shoes, Archetti, Democrata, Ferracini, Ferricelli, Jota Pe, Levecomfort, Leveterapia, Moema, Opananken Antitensor, Pegada, Piccadilly, Savelli, Andine, Eléia, Killana, Stéphanie Classic, Valentina and Variettá. The next edition of the fair takes place from September 15th to 18th.

About Brazilian Footwear:
Brazilian Footwear is an export incentive program developed by Abicalçados in partnership with ApexBrasil. This program aims to increase the presence of the Brazilian industry and its brands in the international market through development actions, commercial promotion and image. Currently, more than 300 companies are served by the program, which last year generated US$ 147.5 million for Brazilian companies supported by Brazilian Footwear. Learn more: brazilianfootwear.com.br | abicalcados.com.br/brazilian-footwear. 

About ApexBrasil: 
Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) is the Brazilian government’s trade and investment promotion agency. Regarding the investment activity, we support international investors as they analyze the opportunities to establish a plant in Brazil, start a partnership with a Brazilian company, or commit capital in Brazil through funds and companies. Our goal is to satisfy investors needs and generate results as we attract technology, innovation, new companies and generate jobs in Brazil. Learn more: https://apexbrasil.com.br/br/en.html#home.