"FEBRUARY 2002 SHOW EXPANDS TO TWO VENUES MOVES FROM FOUR TO THREE DAYS"

By Chris Aiken

In July of this year, World Shoe Association (WSA), organizers of the largest footwear trade show in the U.S., announced that the market will expand to include exhibition halls at both the Sands Expo and the Las Vegas Convention Centers for its upcoming February 2002 show.

When the Venetian Hotel was completed in 1999, WSA contracted separately with the hotel for space in Hall D (100,000 sq. ft.) and the Venetian Grand Ballroom, both of which are located adjacent to the second floor hall of the Sands Expo. WSA has utilized that space the past two years with great success. Earlier this year, the Venetian canceled its agreement with WSA for space in Hall D and the Venetian Grand Ballroom for the upcoming February 2002 and future shows.

Fortunately, WSA was able to replace the lost space and create a second venue at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Although disappointed at losing Hall D, we are thrilled by the opportunity to further expand the show. The addition
of Halls N1, N2, N3 and N4 at the LVCC will add more than 200,000 square feet to the February show. Additionally, due to the need for a longer move-in
period at the LVCC, the upcoming show (February 10-12) will be reduced from four to three days. Expansion Facts

While our goal has always been to house the show under one roof, at this time we feel it is more important to have enough space to accommodate the
companies wishing to participate in our markets. It will be several shows before we will be able to acquire a venue and space needed to house everyone in one building.

With over one million square feet of exhibit space displaying more than
1,200 footwear brands, The World Shoe Association is the largest footwear
trade market in the U.S. Retail buyers attending the show at the Las Vegas & Sands Expo Convention Centers find men's, women's, children's and athletic
footwear as well as accessories, handbags and footcare products. The Collections, an upscale exhibition located at the Venetian Hotel adjacent to the Sands Expo, features over 100 well-known footwear designer brands. We look
forward to seeing you in February!