Textiles & Fabrics Events in Mexico
SAPICA
SAPICA, short for "Salón de la Piel y del Calzado," is a renowned international fair dedicated to shoes and leather goods, and it has earned a reputation as the most important industry event in Latin America and the second-largest of its kind in the Americas. The fair is held biannually at the Poliforum León in León de los Aldama, a city historically and culturally tied to leather craftsmanship. SAPICA has grown into a central meeting point for professionals from the footwear and fashion industries, providing a comprehensive view of trends, innovations, and business opportunities in one place.
Organized by the Mexican Footwear Chamber, SAPICA has a clearly defined focus on both creativity and commercial relevance. It brings together established manufacturers, emerging designers, retailers, and wholesalers under one roof. The fair serves as a platform where professionals can exchange knowledge, discover new materials, and explore production solutions while maintaining a strong emphasis on ordering and business development.
SAPICA as a showcase for shoes and leather goods
At its core, SAPICA highlights the latest trends, innovations, and collections in the footwear and leather goods sectors. Leading manufacturers use the event to present new designs, product innovations, and technological advancements. Visitors can explore a wide range of shoe models, covering different occasions, age groups, and specific functional needs. These include:
Women’s, men’s, and children’s footwear
Sports and casual shoes
Orthopedic and professional-use shoes
The diversity of footwear on display reflects the modern demands of both the retail market and consumers. By offering such a comprehensive selection, SAPICA allows buyers to find products that meet varied lifestyle and fashion needs, making it a highly efficient ordering platform.
Complementing the footwear segment, the fair also exhibits a rich variety of leather products and fashion accessories. These include:
Handbags, wallets, and belts
Leather jackets and apparel
Jewelry, hats, scarves, and other accessories
This combination enables buyers to source complete collections, supporting cohesive merchandising strategies and enhancing the potential for cross-selling opportunities.
Innovation and sustainability in footwear and leather
SAPICA places particular emphasis on innovation and sustainable development. The fair showcases new designs, advanced materials, and cutting-edge manufacturing technologies that are shaping the future of the shoe and leather goods industry. Increasingly, exhibitors highlight environmentally friendly and sustainable products, reflecting a global shift toward responsible production and consumption.
Some of the innovative areas explored at the fair include:
Eco-friendly leathers and textiles
Advanced ergonomic shoe designs
Digital production technologies and automated manufacturing solutions
By combining aesthetic trends with technical innovation, SAPICA offers both inspiration and practical solutions for industry professionals seeking competitive advantages.
Services and support beyond product displays
SAPICA is more than a platform for showcasing products. It also provides a variety of services aimed at supporting manufacturers, designers, and retailers. These services include:
Production and design consultancy
Technological solutions tailored to footwear and leather industries
Marketing, sales strategy, and merchandising guidance
E-commerce and digital business solutions
This service-oriented approach ensures that participants gain actionable insights alongside the opportunity to place orders and establish partnerships. It positions SAPICA as a holistic business environment rather than a simple exhibition.
León de los Aldama: a city at the heart of leather craftsmanship
The choice of León as the host city is significant. Known as a center for leather production in Mexico, León provides an authentic and relevant backdrop for the fair. The city’s long-standing tradition in leatherworking ensures a concentration of expertise, skilled labor, and industry knowledge. This regional advantage contributes to the fair’s reputation as a professional and influential platform in Latin America.
The Poliforum León itself is a modern exhibition venue, designed to accommodate large-scale international events. Its infrastructure supports efficient navigation for visitors and exhibitors alike, with well-organized spaces for product displays, networking, and business discussions.
A meeting point for international and local industry professionals
SAPICA attracts a diverse and international audience. Participants range from small artisanal workshops to major manufacturing companies, from boutique retailers to large distribution networks. This diversity enriches the exchange of ideas and promotes cross-border business opportunities.
Visitors benefit from direct access to designers, production specialists, and decision-makers, enabling them to make informed purchasing choices and develop lasting business relationships. The fair’s professional organization ensures that the emphasis remains on quality interactions and efficient transactions.
SAPICA as a driver of industry trends and business
In addition to showcasing products and technologies, SAPICA has a significant impact on the footwear and leather industry. It serves as a trendsetting platform, helping brands identify emerging styles, colors, and materials while offering practical guidance on production, marketing, and distribution strategies.
The fair also encourages innovation in response to shifting consumer demands, including sustainability, comfort, and functionality. By combining inspiration with practical business tools, SAPICA helps participants stay competitive in an increasingly globalized market.
SAPICA’s role in the global leather and footwear industry
SAPICA stands out as a comprehensive platform for the footwear and leather sectors in Latin America and beyond. Its strengths lie in the combination of trend visibility, product diversity, technological innovation, and service support. By facilitating networking, direct business contacts, and knowledge exchange, the fair offers participants both immediate commercial benefits and long-term industry insights.
For manufacturers, designers, and retailers seeking to stay at the forefront of the global leather and footwear markets, SAPICA provides an unparalleled environment to explore, learn, and grow. Its blend of tradition, innovation, and professionalism ensures that it remains a central and influential event in the international fashion calendar.
Exintex
Exintex: Latin America’s Leading Textile Industry Fair
The Exintex, officially known as the Exposición Internacional de la Industria Textil, is one of the most prominent textile trade fairs in Latin America. Held biennially in Puebla, Mexico, the event has been a cornerstone of the region’s textile industry since its inception in 1991. Over the years, Exintex has attracted exhibitors, designers, buyers, and trade professionals from around the world, establishing itself as a crucial hub for innovation, business exchange, and trendsetting in the textile sector.
Hosted at the Centro de Exposiciones y Convenciones in Puebla, the fair benefits from a modern infrastructure that supports large-scale exhibitions, conferences, and networking opportunities. Its facilities provide ample space for showcasing the latest products and technologies, making it an ideal venue for both international and local participants.
A Comprehensive Showcase of Textile Innovation
Exintex offers a wide-ranging exhibition space, featuring products and services from multiple segments of the textile industry. The fair serves as a platform for manufacturers and designers to present their latest innovations and for visitors to explore cutting-edge developments in textiles.
Key sectors represented at Exintex include:
Home textiles, including bedding, bath, table, and kitchen fabrics
Upholstery fabrics, wall coverings, and window decorations
Apparel fabrics, yarns, and fibers
Textile machinery and equipment for spinning, weaving, and finishing
Textile chemicals and dyes for industrial applications
Automotive textiles and technical fabrics
Design services and collaborations with universities and research institutions
The event allows participants to gain a thorough understanding of industry trends, emerging technologies, and global market demands, making it a valuable resource for manufacturers, designers, and buyers alike.
Networking and Professional Development
Exintex is not only a showcase for products but also a hub for professional development and industry networking. The fair facilitates the exchange of expertise, fosters business partnerships, and creates opportunities for collaboration among international and regional players.
Key features of the fair include:
International Exhibitors: Companies from multiple countries presenting innovative textile products and technologies.
Business Networking Opportunities: Dedicated zones for B2B meetings, collaborations, and partnerships.
Educational Exchange: Workshops, seminars, and design competitions connecting universities, designers, and industry professionals.
Trend Forecasting: Insights into market trends, production techniques, and new materials.
By combining professional insight with a marketplace for innovation, Exintex strengthens the capabilities of textile professionals while providing inspiration for creative applications in home, apparel, and industrial textiles.
A Platform for Home and Industrial Textiles
A distinguishing feature of Exintex is its ability to cater to both home and industrial textile markets. Visitors can explore textiles for interiors, such as upholstery, curtains, and decorative fabrics, while also discovering technical fabrics for industrial applications, including automotive textiles and specialty fibers.
Highlights of product categories include:
Bedding, bath, and table linens
Curtains, wall coverings, and upholstery fabrics
Apparel fabrics, yarns, and knitting materials
Technical and functional textiles for automotive and industrial use
Machines, tools, and accessories for textile production
This wide variety ensures that the fair meets the needs of designers, manufacturers, retailers, and trade professionals, offering a comprehensive overview of contemporary textile innovations.
Global Significance and Industry Impact
Exintex has grown beyond a regional event to become a meeting point for international buyers and professionals. Its strong visitor turnout, including representatives from major global retailers, underscores the fair’s importance in the international textile market. By fostering connections between manufacturers, designers, academics, and business leaders, Exintex drives growth, innovation, and collaboration throughout Latin America and beyond.
Additionally, the fair promotes the exchange of knowledge between industry and educational institutions, supporting the development of emerging designers and innovators. Competitions, awards, and recognition for outstanding products encourage continuous improvement and highlight excellence in design, quality, and technological advancement.
Driving Innovation in the Latin American Textile Industry
The Exintex is a vital platform for the Latin American textile industry, combining product showcases, professional networking, and educational exchanges. It allows attendees to explore the latest trends, innovations, and technologies in textiles, from home fabrics to technical and industrial solutions.
Whether you are a manufacturer, designer, retailer, or academic professional, Exintex provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect with industry leaders, discover new materials, and gain insight into the evolving global textile market. By linking tradition with innovation, the fair continues to shape the future of the textile sector in Latin America and strengthen Puebla’s role as a major hub for the industry.
