A century of industrial heritage drives the 94th edition of SAPICA, with over 2,200 buyers set to ignite new business opportunities. Leon/Gto News
A century of industrial heritage drives the 94th edition of SAPICA, with over 2,200 buyers set to ignite new business opportunities.
Leon/Gto News
Under the banner “100 Years of Shoemaking Pride,” the 94th edition of the Leather and Footwear Exhibition (SAPICA) will take place from March 3rd to 5th in Leon, Guanajuato.
Organized by the Chamber of the Footwear Industry of the State of Guanajuato (CICEG) and the National Chamber of the Footwear Industry (CANAICAL), the event reinforces its status as the strategic global stage for the footwear and leather goods sectors.
This milestone edition expects over 380 exhibitors showcasing more than 2,000 brands across 23,000 square meters of exhibition space. The event projects an attendance of over 2,200 national and international buyers, supplemented by 400 buyers from the Loyalty Program, further boosting high-level commercial networking.
Juan Carlos Cashat Usabiaga, President of CICEG and CANAICAL, noted that SAPICA centralizes over 90% of Mexico’s footwear offer. Hosted at Poliforum Leon, the venue serves as the ultimate nexus for ideas, design, and industry. “SAPICA is more than a trade show; it is the point where the industry closes deals, articulates alliances, and projects the premium quality of Mexican footwear to the world,” he said.
A Historic Milestone
Cashat emphasized that this edition arrives at a historic moment: the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Leon Footwear Manufacturers Union, the bedrock of the organized industry.
“Mexico is home to nearly 9,500 economic units dedicated to footwear manufacturing, generating over 100,000 direct jobs. Guanajuato accounts for 56% of these units. Behind every factory and every job, there is a story, a family, and a community that relies on our leadership,” Cashat Usabiaga remarked, acknowledging the support from Municipal, State, and Federal Authorities.
The industry’s resilience is backed by data: in 2025, exports surpassed 34 million pairs, while imports saw an 8% decreas, a clear sign of a more competitive environment for domestic production.
Innovation and Economic Resilience
Representing Governor Libia Dennise Garcia Munoz Ledo, the State Secretary of Economy, Cristina Villasenor Aguilar, highlighted SAPICA as an international showcase driving industrial modernization.
Meanwhile, Mayor of Leon, Ale Gutierrez, issued a call to action, noting that despite national challenges, “Leon and SAPICA are operating at 100% capacity. We are moving forward with the strength of 100 years of history; we have faced tough times before, and we have always risen.”
Daniela Reyes de Luna, President of SAPICA, confirmed the fair’s position as Latin America’s most relevant fashion business platform. In 2025 alone, the event saw 34,000 visitors and 4,500 buying companies, resulting in an average of nearly 4,000 pairs sold per exhibitor.
Looking Ahead: Knowledge and People
The upcoming edition will feature SAPICA Learning, a space dedicated to digital transformation, e-commerce, and leadership. Furthermore, Lucia Alejandra Herrera Lozano, General Director of CICEG, announced the “Industry Founders” (Forjadores de la Industria) award, honoring workers with over 30 years of history as producers. “Mexico is now the 10th largest footwear producer globally, and this award reflects our most valuable asset: our people,” said Lucia.
The celebration will culminate in the SAPICA 450 Runway at Downton’s Fuente de los Leones scenery, a spectacular event merging the 450th anniversary of the city of Leon with the centennial of its organized footwear industry. Since its inception in 1974, SAPICA has remained the definitive meeting point where tradition meets innovation, cementing Leon’s reputation as the Footwear Capital of the World.
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