MIAMI — The Bobbin Contexpo Apparel Show of the Americas in Miami Beach, which began as primarily a machinery show, has become a focus for Caribbean, Latin and South American sourcing, as well as a showcase for fabrics, trims, shipping and related services.
The show, running Wednesday and Thursday at the Miami Beach Convention Center, will feature 350 exhibitors, compared with 322 last year. Approximately 4,500 buyers are expected from 50 countries. Typically, one-third of the attendees are from abroad; most of the U.S. buyers are from the Florida area.
Machinery companies, such as Gerber Garment Technology, Sunbrand and Rimoldi, still represent the majority of exhibitors.
“We use the show to pick up leads for South America, Central America and Mexico, which are all growing areas,” said Jerry Lee, president of MacPherson Meistergram, a Greensboro, N.C., manufacturer of embroidery and monogram machines. “The show, with its Miami location, is more international than any other.”
Lee said business with those countries had increased 75 percent in 1993, largely due to contacts made at the show.
Sourcing-oriented firms now make up between 20 and 30 percent of exhibitors, with most Caribbean, Latin and South American countries represented. This year’s show will feature a “matchmaking market,” an on-floor service designed to connect manufacturers with contractors or other services, such as shipping.
“This is the most important show for our manufacturers,” said Maritza Arce, an associate with the Colombian Government Trade Bureau, which will have 22 manufacturers at the show. “We want to show the U.S. that we’re a major garment manufacturing center, with 4,000 factories.”
Arce added that while 807 was still a growth area, Colombia’s business with the U.S. was not limited to those programs.
New this year is the International Fashion Showcase, with men’s, women’s and children’s garments from participating fabric suppliers, manufacturers and contractors. The show, to be held Wednesday, is produced by Dot Grimshaw, national sales manager of Bobbin Blenheim, owner of the show, and directed by John Karl, chairman, men’s wear department at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
The show also offers more than 20 educational seminars, many of the programs are offered in Spanish and English.