The latest edition of The WSA Show and The Collections at WSA, the largest and most comprehensive footwear and accessories trade show in the world, brought a global universe of buyers, retailers, manufacturers, brands and marketers together in 1,112,750 net square feet of selling space in Las Vegas, up nearly 9,000 square feet from August 2006.
This powerful global marketplace drew 37,485 participants, up 5.4% from the previous year. Of significance was the 107% growth in online retailer attendance, as well as a 5% increase in boutiques selling apparel, footwear and accessories.
“Tradeshows, because they aggregate markets, are particularly effective tools for exhibiting companies to broaden their reach into new retail channels,” stated Diane Stone, chief operating officer of The WSA Show.
“Companies expect to see department stores, mass merchandisers and chain and independent shoe retailers. However, as new and evolving retail channels develop for the output of this industry, we actively recruit their attendance so exhibitors obtain greater results from their show participation and open new channels of distribution and expanded touch points between their brands and the consumer.”
Steven Hill, senior director of merchandise planning and analysis for Zappos, concurred, pointing out that the show is “a great opportunity for our merchandising team to meet with and get to know senior management from our brands."
"The show is the best time for us to search out new brands or trends that we may not be buying yet. We also take the opportunity to further educate our Customer Loyalty Specialists on the brands and footwear for their category.”