Pinozo will host its first conference from March 13 to 17. The City Council, through the Industry division, promotes an initiative that honors the resilience of the footwear sector and its vital role in advancing the local economy.
During the event opening, Don Pedro’s House Mayor Lázaro Azorín, Industry Mayor Lourdes Yáñez, and representatives from Pinoso’s footwear companies including Empoli Shoes, Rupert Shoes, Pinoso Sneakers, Exporpin, Taranto Shoes, Andacal, Cambrillones Jover, and Comercial Rasmer will participate.
For Lourdes Yáñez, this project is a personal milestone she is eager to realize, especially to emphasize the footwear industry’s importance to the municipality. She also highlighted that the City Council intends to recognize the efforts of local businesses and workers. The history of the municipal sector over the past six decades shows continued growth. Mayor Lázaro Azorín stressed that Pinoso should be a benchmark for the shoe industry both within and beyond its borders today.
The Best Shoes in Pinoso
Education and Generational Support
Enrique Guarinos, manager of Andacal Shoes, spoke on behalf of the footwear industry. He noted that these conferences will benefit the public and the business leaders who have spent more than 50 years in the sector. He affirmed that this industry provides substantial employment and underlined that footwear must confront major challenges such as generational change and the education required for the next workforce.
Cambrillones Jover representative María José Jover added that a family business that has operated for over 55 years stands out. When these conferences are planned, they offer an opportunity to attract youth and show them the career opportunities available in the industry.
The event was closed by the mayor of Pinoso, Lázaro Azorín, who explained that these conferences aim not only to honor the many generations who have supported this sector but also to celebrate the history that enriches the community and drives intergenerational exchange. Business leaders expressed concern about training gaps, and Azorín concluded that there will be collaborative efforts to show youth the commitment to the future and to address workforce needs.
For the success of these conferences, the City Council has listened to the industry’s needs, including program requirements and other operational issues that could affect participation. Both sides intend to maximize the event’s value and impact.
Shaped by Heritage: Shoes as Culture
Programming
Education remains a central concern in the organization of these days, reflecting a demand voiced by the business sector to the City Council. Accordingly, an interview and discussion on Employability and Education in the Footwear Industry will take place at Casa de Don Pedro on Wednesday, March 15. The session will feature María Ángeles López Rico, head of Education and HR at AVECAL; Álvaro Sánchez Concellón, CEO of AEC; Sara Villaescusa Escandell, head of studies at IES La Torreta in Elda; José Ramón Viejo González, director of the LABORA Training Centre; and Pilar Ferrándiz Albert, Prospector FP Vinalopó.
On Thursday, March 16, ITAE Empresas will present a talk at Casa de Don Pedro titled Protecting Our Emotional Well-Being. Psychologist Immaculate Vidal will lead the session, focusing on mental health in the workplace and strategies to sustain resilience among workers.
Rice Straw Shoes in Elda
The Ministry of Industry aims to provide tools and strategies that support emotional well-being at work, enhance workers’ skills, and equip teams with resources to meet evolving demands in the field. This context drives the framing of the conference program.
The event will close with a recognition ceremony on Friday, March 17, titled Pinoso and the Footwear Industry. It will take place at the Emilio Martínez Sáez Theater and Auditorium. The program honors the many individuals who have made this industry a cornerstone of Pinoso’s growth and prosperity. A video by LCM will showcase the history of footwear in the municipality and will highlight the new Sneep Crew sports model designed by Víctor Gutiérrez, a noted Spanish water polo player and national team member.