No need to worry. Micam and Mipel’s leaders reassure the public of exhibitors and visitors: the fairs are safe. The two events (Fieramilano Rho, February 16-19) confirm that the organisation, although prompted by the news of Coronavirus spreading in China, goes on regularly. And they confirm, with regard to the problems facing the People’s Republic, solidarity with those who cannot be in the Lombard capital.
Fairs are safe
Micam will equip itself “with all the additional prevention measures recommended by health organisations in order to protect exhibitors and visitors”, explains Tommaso Cancellara, general manager of Assocalzaturifici. “Micam’s organisation is proceeding regularly – reads the email sent to the exhibitors -. The event will take place scrupulously following the indications of the World Health Organisation, the Ministry of Health, the Higher Institute of Health and in compliance with current regulations”. The presence of Chinese visitors, estimated before the Coronavirus outbreak, was around 500 people. “In the September edition – Cancellara points out – the presence is historically greater”.
Mipel is ready for the challenge
“Mipel will comply with legislative provisions – says Danny D’Alessandro, general secretary of Assopellettieri -. We know it is a situation to be taken into consideration in a very serious way. We will apply all the necessary preventive measures”. The lack of the Chinese public “will leave a hole – he recognises -, because in recent years we have done a penetration work in that market, whose results were visible”. Meaning? “During the September edition, there were over 200 buyers from China, a 7% increase compared to the immediately preceding Mipel – says D’Alessandro -. They are worth a 4% share of our audience. This is why we express our solidarity to them and we are committed to initiatives that allow relationships between Italian leather goods manufacturers and Chinese partners even now that personal contacts are impeded”.
Fashion Week’s problems
Milan Fashion Week (February 18-24), on the other hand, is dealing with more significant absences. Three Chinese brands withdraw from the calendar: Angel Chen, Ricostru and Hui. Above all, Milan Fashion Week will lose at least “80% of Chinese fashion buyers and operators – are the words of Carlo Capasa, president of Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), from Il Sole 24 Ore -. We are talking around 1,000 people who we will virtually meet”. CNMI has contacted the social platforms of the People’s Republic to digitally compensate for physical absences.
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