FIMEC will celebrate 50 editions bringing together the leather-footwear supply chain
In 2027, FIMEC will take place from March 9 to 11 at FENAC, in Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul, with an edition marked by two milestones: its 50th edition and the city's 100th anniversary. On March 9 and 10, the fair will run from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., while on March 11 it will open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This year's theme will be “Activate a New Future,” focusing on technology, innovation, competitiveness and sustainability, which the organizers identify as areas related to the industry's upcoming challenges.
Over the three days, suppliers, manufacturers, buyers and professionals from Brazil and other markets will take part in an exhibition covering the entire production chain. Leather, materials, components, chemicals, equipment, machinery and technologies for footwear and manufactured goods production will come together at an event held within one of the world's most important industrial clusters.
“We have seen companies' commitment to developing innovations in materials, equipment and processes since the close of the last edition. This pursuit of competitiveness is part of FIMEC's DNA and is precisely what visitors find during the fair,” said Marlos Schmidt, CEO of FENAC.
The anniversary will play a central role in the upcoming edition. In addition, its coincidence with Novo Hamburgo's 100th anniversary will reinforce the commemorative nature of the event. “We are the only trade fair in the world that has brought together the entire production chain for 50 editions, and this gives us confidence that we continue to be a source of inspiration for the future of the leather and footwear industry,” Schmidt stated.
In this regard, the organizers expect attendance to exceed that of the previous edition, through an event that provides opportunities to establish contacts, conduct business, gain knowledge and bring together different participants from the industry.
The CICB Sustainability Forum will be part of FIMEC's program, marking five consecutive years. Scheduled for the afternoon of March 10, the event will address issues related to the industry's future and productivity. The initiative will be organized by the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB) in partnership with FENAC, combining content for the tanning industry with business opportunities.
As part of the program, CONCEPT FACTORY will recreate the footwear manufacturing process in real time. Visitors and exhibitors will be able to follow the different production stages, from raw materials and machinery to management and control systems and industrial waste disposal. It is a unique experience within a trade fair and an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of technology, applicability and products.
As a reference, the 2026 edition brought together 400 exhibitors and 23,000 visitors. A total of 33 countries were represented, including markets such as China, South Korea, Italy and Germany, alongside geographically closer countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
“This demonstrates how visitors and exhibitors from around the world value FIMEC and the opportunities it offers,” Schmidt concluded.
