NEWPORT BEACH, CA (July 2001)-World Shoe Association (WSA), organizers of the largest footwear show in the U.S., announced that the trade market has expanded to include exhibition booths at both the Sands Expo Convention Center and the Las Vegas Convention Center for the February 2002 show. Expansion Facts

    Additionally;, due to the need for a sufficient move-in period, the February show will be reduced to three days, taking place February 10-12, 2002. Show hours will be expanded to 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

    The; expansion of the show began several months ago, when the waiting list of exhibitors interested in participating in the August show reached over 400 footwear manufacturers. To accommodate this list, WSA increased its square footage to include a New Exhibition Hall for the August 2001 show. At that time, WSA had also contracted separately with the Venetian Hotel for space in Hall D and the Venetian Grand Ballroom, both of which are located adjacent to the second floor exhibition hall of the Sands Expo.

    In; May 2001, the Venetian Hotel canceled its agreement with WSA for space in Hall D and the Venetian Grand Ballroom for the upcoming the February 2002 show. Because of its good relationship with the Las Vegas Convention Center, WSA was able to make up the lost space, creating another WSA venue at the LVCC.

    According; to Chris Aiken, Executive Director of WSA, other trade shows (including WSA from 1993 to 2001) have been utilizing multiple-venue locations for some time. "Although we are disappointed to loose Hall D," said Aiken, "We are excited by the opportunity to further expand the show." The addition of Halls C, N3 and N4 at the LVCC will add more than 120,000 square feet to the February show.

    
FACTS ABOUT WSA EXPANSION FOR FEBRUARY 2002