Rebel group stages own footwear fairs

Frustration with the timing of the two inaugural Australian Shoe Fairs (ASF) has prompted a group of European footwear and accessories importers to stage their own minifair.
Members of the group have independently held their own hotel room showings for some years but had hoped the launch of the new ASF, organised by Australian Exhibitions and Conferences (AEC), would spell an end to the practice.
However, with the ASF not scheduled until mid-February and mid-August next year, the group has been forced to pool resources and stage earlier showings to meet European factory deadlines.
Group spokesman Roy Susskind, of Roy Susskind and Associates, said the European importers had to have their orders in by the first week of March and the first week of September.
"The organisers of the Australian Shoe Fairs are proposing to run their fairs in late February and late August which is far too late for us."
Susskind said while it was costly to stage the fairs, in the long run both exhibitors and suppliers gained from conducting their business in a more intimate setting.
"The fairs they (AEC) are organising. . . anybody can just walk in without appointments. We need more time. We can't exhibit to Australia in just three days."
Susskind said there were at least 20 exhibitors taking part in the all-European showings including Zapatito and La Moda Imports.
The all European fairs will be staged across the four-week period from early January to the beginning of February. Show sites include the Royal on the Park and 212 on Margaret (Brisbane), the Medina on Crown (Sydney) and the Saville Park Suites (Perth and Melbourne).
It is anticipated that during the January showings, the group would meet with European suppliers with the aim of establishing a proper European footwear and accessories importers association, Susskind said.
AEC managing director Marie Kinsella was not available at the time of press.

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