The Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA) has created the Footwear Trade Show Council (FTSC). Its purpose is to align industry trade shows into one collaborative alliance to share information, best practices and industry dates.
Joining the FDRA and the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) in the newly minted FTSC are Informa, the Atlanta Shoe Market, Dallas Market Center, MICAM, FSNYE, Chicago Shoe Market, BSTA, Great Event Show, The IR Show, along with the USRA, NSRA and the NST.
FTSC held its first meeting last week and facilitated key conversations. In the future, the organization will meet regularly, both in person and virtually, to discuss ways its members can effectively serve the footwear industry through timely marketplaces.
FDRA President & CEO Matt Priest said, “Our industry’s development cycles are changing rapidly, which means commercial show schedules may need to shift to adapt to new needs. That is just one big issue we think this new group can help address together. In our new and fragmented post-COVID environment, footwear trade shows of all different types and sizes are looking for opportunities to ensure that shoe buyers and sellers are connecting in impactful ways in markets around the country and the globe. This new group will enhance those efforts.”
Sandi Mines, FDRA vice president and FTSC chair added, “Never before has our industry had both the great need and opportunity to convene all footwear trade shows under one umbrella, strengthening our ties and enhancing our commercial foundation in such a dramatic way. I am excited to bring together each of these critically important executives to our industry so that we are maximizing the positive impact we can have on footwear buyers and sellers, aligning to industry needs from the start. Our industry deserves no less.”
Photo courtesy FFANY
