More than 380 companies and 2,000 brands are participating in the most important business fair in Latin America for the sector In the 100 years of
More than 380 companies and 2,000 brands are participating in the most important business fair in Latin America for the sector
In the 100 years of history of CICEG Guanajuato accounts for 74.3% of the national value in leather and footwear production
Leon/Gto News
With pride in her roots and her sights set on the future, the Governor of the People, Libia Dennise Garcia Munoz Ledo, led the inauguration of the 94th edition of the Leather and Footwear Show (SAPICA), as part of the 100 years of the organized footwear industry in Guanajuato.
From the Poliforum Leon, the Governor highlighted that this edition not only represents a business fair, but the celebration of a collective history that began in 1926 with the founding of the Social Union of Shoemakers of Leon, the first versión of what is now the Chamber of the Footwear Industry of the State of Guanajuato (CICEG).
“Today is no ordinary day. We are celebrating 100 years of the organized footwear industry. If we imagine ourselves back in 1926, we can see our grandparents and great-grandparents planting the seed of what distinguishes us in the world today,” said Libia.
“When we work as a team, we are unstoppable. Nothing can stop us. In this People’s Government, we understand that when the shoe industry thrives, families in Guanajuato live better lives,” said Libia.
Among tradition, innovation and teamwork, Guanajuato is firmly moving towards a new century of industrial history, demonstrating that economic growth is built from the territory, listening to those who produce and generate employment every day.
SAPICA 94:
- Held from March 3-5
- At Poliforum Leon
- Brings together more than 380 exhibiting companies
- Over 2,000 brands
- An estimated attendance of more than 14,000 trade visitors
- Approximately 7,000 business meetings
- Sale of 7.5 million pairs of footwear and leather goods
- Participation of buyers from 17 countries
- An estimated economic impact of over 43 million pesos
Guanajuato accounts for 74.3% of the national value in the production of the leather-footwear subsector and generates more than 108,000 jobs linked to this industry, positioning Leon as the main footwear producer in Mexico.
During the ceremony, the “Builders of Our Industry 2026” award was also presented to 17 women and men with careers of between 30 and 48 years in the sector, pillars of this productive history.
The President of SAPICA, Daniela Reyes de Luna, noted that this 94th edition is not just another fair, but a historic moment that coincides with the 100th anniversary of CICEG and the 450th anniversary of Leon.
“SAPICA is not just something you walk through, it’s something you feel in the soul of those of us who make this industry a way of life. Here we design, here we manufacture, here we believe, but we also create,” said Reyes de Luna.
Reyes thanked the generations that have sustained the institution and paved the way for a new stage where more women, young and talented find their place in the industry.
The President of CICEG, Juan Carlos Cashat Usabiaga, recalled that on May 24, 1926, a group of manufacturers opted for unity as a vision for the future, giving rise to the organization that today celebrates a century of history.
“A century ago we organized ourselves to be stronger. Today we organize ourselves to be more competitive, more innovative and more global,” said the Official.
Cashat noted that the sector is a source of income for around 100,000 direct families, includes about 10,000 economic units, and positions Mexico as the tenth largest footwear producer in the world.
Cashat called to strengthen the legal framework to combat unfair practices in international trade and to consolidate a more competitive industry, supported by the sectoral strategy “Guanajuato, Standing Firm”.
The Governor closed with a message of unity and pride:
- “Let every handshake at SAPICA be a pact of trust, and every order placed a promise of quality. Let’s continue to demonstrate why Leon is the world capital of leather and footwear.”
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