The Marche Region at MICAM Milano: focus on incoming, major events and internationalization

“Our intention is to support incoming and major events”, declared the Councillor for Productive Activities Andrea Maria Antonini during a press conference at MICAM to present the project “Influencer Marketing“, funded from the Atim of the Marche Region, which includes the visit of 9 Dutch and Kazakh influencers to the Marche companies for three days. Conference which saw the participation of Giovanna Ceolini, national president of Assocalzaturifici, and Valentino Fenni, regional president, as well as representatives of the Marche business associations.

Ceolini praised the work of the Marche Region in supporting small and medium-sized businesses, underlining the fundamental contribution to supporting the entrepreneurial fabric.

The MICAM, which takes place in Milano twice a year, it is one of the main events for producers, buyers and journalists, where the latest collections are presented footwear and the latest news in terms of style and technologies. This 98 edition saw the participation of 932 brands, of which 475 Italian and 457 international, with companies coming mainly from Spain, Turkey, Brazil, Portugal and Germany. In particular, 102 companies from the Marche region took part in the event, with a significant presence from Fermo (54 companies), Macerata (34 companies) and Ascoli (7 companies), all companies belonging to the Marche footwear district, which is going through a difficult period.

Councillor Antonini underlined how this event represents an important opportunity for discussion panel on the current challenges of the fashion sector, with particular reference to the crisis in the footwear industry. He also recalled the recent round table discussion held at the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (MIMIT), in the presence of the Minister Adolfo Urso and the President of the Marche Region, Francis Acquaroli, during which the possible remodulation of the Program Agreement for the Fermo-Macerata crisis area was discussed.

"We are seeing cautious optimism among companies," the councilor emphasized, "we were recently at MIMIT with the Marche delegation and even before that, the Fashion Roundtable had met at the Ministry. We talked about moratoria on loans, tax credits, redundancy payments: strong themes to give immediate answers to the sector. The Region is doing its part through tools such as internationalization, promotion and calls for tenders. Choices that we try to share with companies."

Antonini also announced the organization of a large event in ParisIn partnership with Gino Sabatini President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce, in the early months of 2025, which will involve the entire Fashion System of the Marche, with the aim of giving further international visibility to the clothing, footwear and accessories sectors. “The Region will continue to do its part with concrete tools such as the Call for Internationalization”, concluded Antonini.