Any trade show worth its salt thrives on a variation of the chicken-or-the-egg theory. Most say exhibitors come first and buyers will follow. With seven weeks left to sell, The IR Show (Jan. 13-15 at The Horseshoe Convention Center) reports that exhibitor attendance is already up double digits, including several first-timers, with retailer attendance on the rise, too.
Patience, persistence, and settling on Las Vegas as its bi-annual home are key factors fueling IR’s momentum. “We have an incredible number of vendors who’ve supported us from the start and have been very patient as we build the show,” says Show Director Gary Hauss, noting that the July edition captured the affordable, accessible, and network-y vibe the show has steadily cultivated. “Moving the show to Las Vegas was certainly the right decision. It’s easier to reach from almost anywhere in the country and a lot less expensive,” he explains. “There’s also the built-in entertainment and incredible restaurants that come with Vegas, not to mention the variety of hotels with amazing room rates.”
The earlier timing (January and July) could also be fueling IR’s growth. Vendors and retailers can get a head start on buys for the upcoming season and lay the groundwork for The Atlanta Shoe Market, held in February and August. They can also take advantage of networking opportunities, which will once again include Conversations Over Cocktails held on the second night. The event will feature The Heel Shoe Fitters’ management duo of Troy Dempsey and Brennan Tahtinen. “The Green Bay, WI, sit-and-fit mecca prides itself on creating a unique shopping experience for customers,” Hauss says. “The Heel carries over 40,000 pairs in inventory, and their team features a roster of expert shoe fitters that includes a full-time cobbler. Learning their story and insights will be informative and inspiring.”
Added to the party mix for this January’s show is The Innovative Plus Awards, which honors excellence in design and retail in 14 select categories. The awards, to be held during the opening night’s complimentary cocktail party, are in partnership with Footwear Plus magazine. Steven Mahoney, industry veteran and senior vice president of sales for Samuel Hubbard, will serve as host. “For those who may not know Steven, you’re in for a treat,” Hauss says. “What we love about the Innovative Plus Awards is that they’re determined by the voting of industry members and consumers. We’ve added some new categories that we feel better represent the breadth of the industry.”
Also on tap for the January show will be an expanded version of IR Insights 360, a data-driven analytics platform that debuted in July. The platform helps vendors and retailers make smarter, more informed buying decisions during the show. “IR Insights 360 collects real-time product feedback from retailers during product presentations,” Hauss explains. “It gives vendors immediate visibility into retailer interests and sentiment across styles and colors, highlighting which items are resonating most.”
Hauss adds that the platform provides retailers with organized, actionable insights that help them quickly assess which brands, lines, and products are trending, which align with customer needs, and which may underperform. The platform also helps retailers organize assortments by brand and color to build the strongest in-store presentations.
“IR Insights 360 turns gut feel into measurable data, transforming anecdotal conversations into quantifiable insights that lead to smarter buying decisions, cleaner inventory, and reduced risk of over-buying or inventory bloat,” he says. “Having real-time, data-driven insights at the moment of product review can be the difference between exceptional sell-through and excess returns or dead inventory.”
To learn more visit: www.irinsights360.com.
Gary Hauss, director, IR Show
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