Retailers Sound Off on the Growing Appeal of The Atlanta Shoe Market

The Atlanta Shoe Market is marking its 80th anniversary this year, as the footwear trade show continues its rapid growth trajectory.

At its next event on Aug. 10-12 at the Cobb Galleria Centre, more than 1,800 exhibitors will be featured, including a larger contingent of international brands. Retailer attendance continues to increase as well, with buyers from around the country — and the world — now making their way to northwest Atlanta for the show.

Here, leaders from independent footwear retailers, major chains and department stores discuss the evolution of The Atlanta Shoe Market and why it has become a must-visit destination for the industry.

Carey Hofle
VP and GMM, home and footwear, Bealls (Florida)

“The show has evolved into the best shoe show in the country. More vendors are attending, as well as the vendor management teams. Vendors are seeing how important this show is. [It’s in a] great central location, easy to shop for new vendors versus in New York, where everyone is so spread out. [The show] has grown so much because of Laura’s passion and dedication to the shoe industry making sure all the details are taken care of. And being in one place, under one roof, with all the brands attending, helps buyers with the ease of working through the show.”

John Walker
VP of merchandising, Shoe Show (North Carolina)

“The Atlanta Shoe Market has evolved significantly, transforming from a small regional event into a prominent show that now rivals the national exhibitions of past years. Its impressive growth is a testament to the quality and variety of brands it attracts, as well as the commitment to providing an exceptional platform for industry professionals. The market’s expansion has established it as a premier destination for discovering the latest trends and innovations in footwear, making it an essential event for retailers and brands alike.”

Garrett Breton
President, Comfort One Shoes (Virginia)

“Atlanta has transformed from a notable regional show to the premier event in the U.S., attracting both wholesalers and retailers in large numbers. The venue is excellent, providing convenience and ease for all attendees. Atlanta itself is a vibrant, friendly, and evolving city, offering a fantastic food scene at reasonable prices compared to major cities like New York and Las Vegas. The show’s organization is top-notch, as evidenced by the frequent praise from vendors and retailers who call it their favorite event. My only wish is that it could be scheduled a few weeks earlier.”

Kim McKeown
Director of merchandise, Tradehome Shoes (Minnesota)

“This will be our fourth year attending TASM, and every year it seems to be bigger and better.  The brand assortment here is second to none and is extremely eclectic. We also appreciate the number of vendor executives who choose to attend the show. This allows us to share what is happening at retail, give feedback and communicate initiatives. We feel it is a vital show to attend. TASM has done such a nice job of keeping it workable. We are fortunate to have most brands come to us and do business in our building, but as an independent, you can see all your brands under one roof and have very productive days. For the industry, this is a very big deal.”

Lester Wasserman
Owner, Tip Top Shoes/West NYC (New York)

“I would say this is the best show the industry has to offer. There is nowhere in the country that has as many brands under one roof, making it extremely easy to shop. Each season, the Atlanta show becomes bigger and better, adding more vendors that we look forward to seeing and working with. When we first attended the show many years ago, it was more like a regional event. Today, you can expect management to be in attendance, as well as many of our local account representatives.”

Alex Carr
Owner, Tops for Shoes (North Carolina)

“The Atlanta show has grown to become the most important shoe show in the Western Hemisphere and an integral part of our buying success. Nowhere else can we find the variety of shoes under one roof.  Laura [Conwell-O’Brien] has done a fantastic job of growing the show over the years and we are looking forward to August.”

Ashley Owen
Senior buyer, Shoe Sensation (Indiana)

“This show has become the premier show for the Midwest. Being located in Louisville, Ky./Jeffersonville, Ind., it is so convenient for us. Traveling to the coasts can waste days in flights and different time zones, and it is so convenient to just be closer to home for us. [I think it’s grown in recent years because of] convenience and the experience, paired with amazing accommodations. It’s just a fun show and easy to travel to and work. I know we are always praising the show as well, so word of mouth has definitely gotten around.”