The record-breaking growth of The Atlanta Shoe Market (TASM) continues with its next edition, slated for Aug. 10-12 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in northwest Atlanta. Executive director Laura Conwell-O’Brien said the trade show sold out of its exhibitor space quickly. “By the second week of March, everything was gone,” she said.
The August show will feature 1,800-plus brands over its three-day span. That represents a 16 percent increase year-over-year from the August 2023 event.
TASM — which is this year celebrating its 80th anniversary — is now garnering the attention of a global audience, as evidenced by the increased number of international exhibitors at the show. Conwell-O’Brien said that brands from overseas have been clamoring to participate in the U.S. trade show but have been previously constrained by the space available in the venue.
In response, TASM has secured an additional ballroom in the adjacent Renaissance Atlanta Wavery Hotel. The Grand Ballroom will house another 94 booths, filled almost entirely by international exhibitors from countries including Brazil, Colombia, Germany, India, Italy, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey.
More global brands can also be found in the Fashion Plaza, which was introduced in February and is located at the entrance to the Grand Ballroom.
APICCAPS, the Portuguese Footwear, Components, Leather Goods Manufacturers’ Association, is bringing 22 of its brands to the trade show, half of which are newcomers.
Paulo Gonçalves, director of communications for APICCAPS, said this is the largest delegation the organization has ever brought to an event in the States. “The U.S. is the market where the Portuguese footwear industry has grown the most, reaching a value of over 100 million euros,” he said. “However, it is the largest market in the world and, for that reason, deserves all our attention. We believe that by the end of the decade, we can double our exports to the U.S.”
Gonçalves said the Atlanta show offered an important venue to strengthen its presence in the market . “It is a solid and diversified presentation that will allow us to showcase the potential of the Portuguese industry, ranging from more classic footwear to more sporty models,” he said. “We will also present new products in more environmentally friendly lines.”
Among some of the Portuguese exhibitors are longtime players such as Ambitious, Asportuguesas, Fly London and Softinos, which are continuing to invest in the American market.
The August 2024 event will feature more than 1,800 exhibitors.
TASM’s rapidly expanding brand selection has also attracted more retailers from across the country and abroad, as well as major department stores and online players.
“Once retailers come to the show, they always come back,” said Conwell-O’Brien, “because they realize how easy it is. And we work hard to keep costs down for everyone.”
TASM’s most recent event was attended by leaders from DSW, Anthropologie, Dillard’s, HSN, TJX, Costco and Meijer, as well as numerous big-box stores and chains. As of press time, buyer pre-registrations for August were up 13 percent year-over-year.
Lester Wasserman, owner of Tip Top Shoes and West NYC in New York, told FN, “Laura Conwell-O’Brien has done a tremendous job attracting some of our industry’s biggest and best brands giving retailers a reason to pack their bags and head to Atlanta to ensure their stores have the newest and latest products to offer their customers.”
Ashley Owen, a senior buyer at Shoe Sensation, said, “Over time, the show has definitely stepped up its game in attendance both on the vendor and retailer side.” She listed convenience and affordability as two of TASM’s best attributes, as well as its amenities — especially the popular opening night party.
The trade show has attracted more international exhibitors, such as Australian sneaker brand Culture of Brave.
The trade show will again host its cocktail and casino party on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 6-9:30 p.m. at the nearby Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. The party can be reached via round-trip shuttle service from the conference center and is complimentary for all badge holders. Attendees can enjoy a full buffet and one free drink ticket, along with three hours of live entertainment by Powerhouse Band.
On Sunday morning, the National Shoe Retailers Association will hold a free seminar at the Renaissance hotel, from 7:45-8:45 a.m. The talk will be led by Tom Post, a senior consultant for The Friedman Group, and will focus on making the connection between customer experience and sales opportunities.
Later that evening, Two Ten Footwear Foundation’s Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI) group will gather in the Retailer’s Lounge on the first floor of the galleria mall, for networking and complimentary cocktails.
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