Intermoda 85: The Hub for Latin American Fashion Business

The fashion industry is often associated with creativity, design, and trends. However, behind the runways lies an economic ecosystem involving manufacturing, commerce, logistics, technology, marketing, exports, and thousands of jobs. In this context, specialized trade fairs have become one of the primary drivers of commercial linkages for the sector.

From July 21 to 24, 2026, Guadalajara will once again host Intermoda, the most important fashion business exhibition in Latin America, celebrating its 85th edition at Expo Guadalajara. Beyond bringing together brands, designers, and buyers, the event reflects the role of the meetings industry as an economic catalyst for host cities and a growth platform for one of the country’s most relevant production chains.

Intermoda: A Business Platform for the Fashion Industry

For over four decades, Intermoda has established itself as a key meeting point for manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, buyers, and entrepreneurs in the fashion sector.

The 85th edition will gather hundreds of exhibiting companies across various specialized pavilions, including:

• Women’s Fashion
• Men’s Fashion
• Gala Wear
• Children’s Fashion
• Accessories
• Footwear
• Trending (Designers)
• Chou Room (Streetwear)

In addition to the commercial offerings, the program includes conferences, runway shows, trend spaces, and activities focused on knowledge exchange and business opportunity generation. The significance of these events lies in their ability to allow companies to present new collections, identify suppliers, expand distribution channels, and establish commercial alliances in a highly specialized environment.

Fashion as an Economic Engine for Jalisco

The staging of Intermoda coincides with a period of consolidation for the in Jalisco.

According to industry data, the fashion value chain generates an economic impact of approximately 25.5 billion pesos for the state’s economy, positioning Jalisco as a leading hub for design, apparel manufacturing, jewelry, and commerce in the country. Currently, the sector generates over 35,000 formal jobs registered with IMSS and comprises around 1,118 economic units linked to fashion-related activities. A distinguishing characteristic of this industry is the prevalence of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, which represent approximately 95% of the sector’s business fabric.

Guadalajara, Zapotlanejo, and Villa Hidalgo: Key Nodes in the Production Chain

Municipalities like Zapotlanejo and Villa Hidalgo have become national benchmarks in textile manufacturing and commercialization, while the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area concentrates activities in design, distribution, promotion, and specialized event organization. This is complemented by the strength of related sectors such as jewelry, where Jalisco holds a prominent position in the fabrication of gold and silver pieces, as well as in specialized footwear design. This combination of manufacturing, commercialization, and international promotion has enabled the state to develop an ecosystem that connects local producers with national and international buyers.

The Economic Impact of Specialized Trade Fairs

The importance of Intermoda can also be measured from the perspective of the meetings industry. Large-scale events generate economic benefits that extend beyond the exhibition venue. The arrival of buyers, exhibitors, and visitors drives hotel occupancy, land and air transportation, restaurant activity, logistics services, and local commerce. For Guadalajara, which has established itself as one of Mexico’s leading destinations for business tourism, hosting international trade fairs represents an opportunity to strengthen its position as a continental-level convention and exhibition center.

Intermoda: An Industry Adapting to New Trends

The fashion sector is currently undergoing a transformation driven by e-commerce, the digitalization of processes, new consumer demands, and the pursuit of more efficient supply chains. In this scenario, spaces like Intermoda have become platforms where innovation, design, and business converge, allowing companies of all sizes to access broader markets and enhance their competitiveness.

The 85th edition arrives at a time when the industry seeks to capitalize on new commercial opportunities and solidify Jalisco’s position as one of the leading fashion business centers in Latin America.

The entry first appeared on Líder Empresarial.