Nextech fair debuts in Medellín to digitize Colombian fashion industry

The inaugural Nextech by Colombiatex fair is taking place in Medellín, Colombia, from September 22 to 24. Organized by the research center Inexmoda, the event aims to address operational challenges within the Colombian fashion and textile industry through technological integration.

With over 100 exhibitors, the fair focuses on introducing artificial intelligence, automation, software, data analytics, logistics, and e-commerce solutions to the sector. The initiative seeks to transform the industry's creative strengths into improved productivity and global competitiveness, addressing what Inexmoda Executive President Sebastián Díez described as “operational chaos” regarding process tracking and information systematization.

The event expects approximately 5,000 specialized visitors from 20 countries. The push for modernization comes as the sector faces economic pressures; Colombian fashion exports saw a 6.7% decrease between January and May compared to the previous year. According to Inexmoda, 40% of surveyed companies plan to invest in production technology, while 33% intend to invest in digital marketing and growth.