LAS VEGAS, NV (February 2002) - Despite early concerns, expanding the World Shoe Association trade market to two venues paid dividends at the February 2002 show, with an increased retail presence that made this trade market one of the most successful to date for the $40 billion footwear industry.

Retail attendance figures for the three-day event (11,573) showed an 8% increase over the August 2001 show. While total attendance, including press, suppliers, VIP guests, sales representatives, and corporate executives exceeded 26,000. International in scope, participants attended the February show from over 86 different countries with nearly one third of the retailers from outside the U.S.

Previously held at the Sands Expo, WSA had acquired an additional 400,000 square feet at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show will add even more square footage for the upcoming August market, which will include space at the newly built south expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center as well as two convention floor levels as the Sands Expo, and suites at the Venetian Hotel.

During the show, seminars and meetings also reflected the impressive overall attendance with strong turnouts. At its bi-annual Shoe Party, Blue Man Group entertained sold out audiences on both Sunday and Monday of the show. For the August show this summer, the WSA Shoe Party will feature comedy superstar Robin Williams, who will perform following a lavish cocktail party at the Aladdin Performing Arts Center, an impressive facility that seats over 6,000.

With over one million square feet of exhibit space displaying more than 2,000 footwear brands, The World Shoe Association is the largest footwear trade market in the U.S. Retail buyers attending the show at the Sands Expo, Las Vegas Convention Center and the Venetian Hotel find men's, women's, children's and athletic footwear as well as accessories, handbags, and foot care products. The collections, an upscale exhibition now located at the Venetian Hotel, features over 135 well-known footwear designer brands.