Feira Multissetorial 2013 in Santa Bárbara, MG

16th Feira Multissetorial of Santa Bárbara

The 16th Feira Multissetorial do Médio Piracicaba (Médio Piracicaba Multi-Sector Business Fair), held from September 20 to 22, 2013, reaffirmed Santa Bárbara's leading role as a center of entrepreneurship and development in the Serra do Caraça region. Bringing together companies from industry, commerce and services, the event's central theme was "Sustainability in the Production Chain", highlighting the importance of combining economic growth with environmental and social responsibility.

Organized by ACISB/CDL, the fair had the support of major partners such as Vale, AngloGold Ashanti, Samarco, Sebrae, Caixa Econômica Federal and the Santa Bárbara City Hall, which together provided modern facilities and an environment conducive to doing business.

Since its first edition in 1998, the Feira Multissetorial has become one of the most important business events in the Médio Piracicaba region, bringing entrepreneurs together and strengthening the region's economic potential. In 2013, the move to the Railway Station Square (Praça da Estação), in downtown Santa Bárbara, gave the event a new dynamic, increasing its visibility and public access.

Sustainability and Innovation in the Production Chain

The theme "Sustainability in the Production Chain" guided the entire program, emphasizing the role of companies in building a more conscious, innovative future. The aim was to highlight the importance of collaboration between the different links in the chain — suppliers, industries and consumers — in the pursuit of efficiency, lower impact and the value of regional resources.

During the event, business owners and managers took part in talks, panels and technology clinics covering good environmental practices, visual communication, financial management and marketing. Sustainability was presented not only as an environmental concept but as a competitive advantage capable of strengthening businesses and creating value for the whole community.

This approach reflected the commitment of Santa Bárbara and the Serra do Caraça region to responsible development, combining tradition, innovation and vision for the future in an environment that favors partnerships and collective growth.

Official Program

The program of the 16th Feira Multissetorial was intense and varied, spread over three days of activities focused on knowledge, business and culture.

September 20 (Friday)

• 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Relationship Agenda: Business Meeting with Major Companies in the Region

• 9 p.m. – Keynote Talk: Sustainability and Development in the Production Chain

• 10 p.m. – Cocktail Reception and Presentation of Certificates to Exhibitors

September 21 (Saturday)

• 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Technology Clinics

  • Table 1 – How lighting helps increase sales

  • Table 2 – Visual identity: the portrait of your business

  • Table 3 – Shop windows and product display

  • Table 4 – Visual communication to attract customers

  • Table 5 – Store layout and functionality

• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Technology Clinics continued

• 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Launch of the Grupo Líder Entre Serras da Piedade ao Caraça (regional leadership group)

• 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Keynote Talk: Six Incredible Ways to Sell More and Better – Gustavo Becker

• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Business Round: Meeting with Regional Companies

September 22 (Sunday)

• 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Cavalhada of Brumal Theater

• 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Talk: Internationalization of Trade – Federaminas

• 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Keynote Talk: The Power of Personal Image in the Professional Success of Businesswomen

• 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – International Panel: Women Entrepreneurs, Brazil and Germany
  With: Vera Fernandes, Gis Fernandes, Margareth Westphalen and Cláudia Heyer

• 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Business Round: Regional Companies

The variety of themes and activities reinforced the fair's diverse character, offering training, networking and culture to business owners and visitors.

Business Meetings and Strategic Partnerships

One of the big highlights of the 16th Feira Multissetorial was the Business Round, which connected local companies with large corporations and regional institutions. The meetings led to new commercial partnerships and the exchange of strategic experience, strengthening production chains and encouraging collaborative entrepreneurship.

The presence of major brands such as Vale, Samarco, AngloGold Ashanti and Cenibra showed the strength of the Médio Piracicaba region and its ability to attract investment and new business opportunities. The event also highlighted the role of micro and small businesses as key players in sustainable economic development.

These connections showed that integrating large and small entrepreneurs is essential to drive innovation and create prosperity for towns like Santa Bárbara and the whole area around the Serra do Caraça.

Culture and Regional Pride

Besides the business activities, the 2013 Feira Multissetorial also celebrated local culture with theater and music. The show "Teatro para Marionete Cavalhada Brumal" (a puppet theater piece about the Cavalhada of Brumal) delighted the audience, reviving the region's cultural traditions.

The launch of the Grupo Líder Entre Serras da Piedade ao Caraça was another important milestone, symbolizing the union of neighboring towns for sustainable development and the promotion of regional tourism. This initiative reinforced the idea that economic growth can go hand in hand with cultural and environmental preservation, strengthening the tourist potential of the Serra do Caraça.

The fair therefore fulfilled its role as more than a business event — it was a celebration of regional identity and a space for learning and integration among different sectors of society.

Conclusion

The 16th Feira Multissetorial do Médio Piracicaba, held from September 20 to 22, 2013, marked a new phase for Santa Bárbara, with a well-organized, innovative event focused on sustainability. With the theme "Sustainability in the Production Chain", the edition promoted business, culture and training, bringing companies and institutions together around a common purpose: responsible economic development.

The fair showed the town's entrepreneurial strength and its strategic importance in the Médio Piracicaba economy, further strengthening the bond between Santa Bárbara and the Serra do Caraça, a territory of natural, cultural and economic wealth.