Fairs migrate to the virtual

Keeping up with digitalization trends and motivated by social distancing, traditional footwear fairs in Brazil are gaining space on the internet. The first one to bet on the change was Merkator Feiras e Eventos, which promoted on July 7th the digital edition of the International Leather and Footwear Exhibition (SICC). The fair - traditionally held in Gramado/RS - took place through eMerkator, a platform created to promote virtual meetings and bring together shopkeepers and exhibitors.

The intention was to provide business, relationships and to bring market and footwear sector information to participants. The project was already under development, but ended up being accelerated due to the new coronavirus. Frederico Pletsch, director of Merkator Feiras e Eventos, explains that the novelty had diversified contents. "In this first activity we present the spring/summer launches of our exhibitors and bet on a program of lectures". The access to the platform was available for ten days at emerkator.com.br.
The space was designed in 3D for navigation of shopkeeper and visitor. Each exhibitor was entitled to use a room for virtual visitation with photos, videos and catalogs.

INSPIRAMAIS
Also adapting to the current reality, Inspiramais - which usually occurs in São Paulo/SP - also adapts to the changes in the way of connecting with people, and its fully digital edition will take place from August 25th to 27th, in an online platform. Among the main attractions are showrooms and virtual stands, innovative projects, interactive shop windows, virtual rooms for meetings and meetings with market figures.

Inspiramais welcomes businessmen from the footwear, clothing, jewelry and furniture segments, as well as stylists, designers and opinion leaders. The show features novelties in design, technology and innovation, a color chart, references and anticipates worldwide consumption movements.