Organisers of Italy-based shoe fair MICAM have confirmed that they are sticking with the strategy of holding its autumn fair earlier than has been previously, after lower numbers in August led some to question the decision.

Next year’s autumn event will be held from September 1 to 4 at the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition centre. The earlier edition will be held from February 15 to 18.

"The council has confirmed the strategy to reposition theMICAM within the international trade fair calendar," said Cleto Sagripanti, president of Assocalzaturifici and MICAM.

"The last year has made it possible to verify how moving the dates forward has contributed to the increase of orders placed at the show, despite the general decline in visitors due to the Italian market's difficulties and the worsening of the crisis in Russia.

“This decision was reached as a result of ongoing dialogue with companies and buyers, which led us to confirm the advance of the dates with a small shift from the first week of September and a positioning within the week moving from Tuesday to Friday.

“We believe that this strategic line will allow us to strengthen theMICAM's international role, and that the event's new structure will have a positive impact for everyone involved."