SCENE & HEARD
IR Show to Debut in San Diego is a casual cocktail party on-site at the end of the second day. Anyone GARY HAUSS, DIRECTOR of the new IR (Innovative Retail) show in who wants to attend these events can sign up after they register for the San Diego (Feb. 1-3), comes to the table with 50-plus years in the retail show at: TheIRshow.com. shoe business and has attended his fair number of trade events. The Speaking of attendance, Hauss reports a strong response so far. As of former owner of the J. Stephens comfort chain knows his way around press time, more than 140 brands have registered to exhibit, with many a show floor, and he also believes he knows what’s been missing of late more expected to sign up in the coming weeks. As for buyer attendance, when it comes to trade shows. Hauss reports retailers coming from 17 states so far that span specialty “We need a solid West Coast show, but my goal is to become what independents as well as Zappos, Orva’s and Tradehome Shoes, among the WSA show was in its heyday—a true national show,” Hauss says. other larger chains. Hauss credits San Diego for being a great draw. It “We’re hoping to have the return of top executives attending a show, as starts with the city recognized as many of the heads of states have having the country’s best year-round stopped going to shoe shows. And weather. Then there’s the ease of I’m happy to report that we already getting there. San Diego can be have many registered for this first reached from most any part of the IR show.” country by non-stop flights. Lastly, Over the past 30 years, Hauss is the state-of-the-art convention has been a key contributor to the center, which Hauss points out is USRA’s annual May Event. He is only a 10-minute drive from the using that event and the former airport. “There are 11,000 hotel WSA show as his working model rooms nearby, and the Gaslamp because he views a shoe show as Quarter, with its many bars and much more than line presentarestaurants, is directly across from tions and writing paper. “I want the convention center.” IR show to become the show you Other show highlights include attend like a family reunion, where subsidized lunches for all attendees it’s more than just reps and retailand complimentary coffee and ers in attendance,” he says. “As a doughnuts the first morning. Adding retailer for over 50 years, being Sunny San Diego serves as an alluring draw for the first-ever IR show. to the fun will be surprise free goodable to build relationships that turn ies announced during the show, like beer, warm cookies and popcorn. into friendships that then turn into close friends was one of my most “There will be stations around the show floor and we’ll announce when important reasons for attending shows. And meeting with the heads of it’s available,” Hauss says. “We also plan to do an activity benefitting the state is how I built those relationships.” Two Ten Foundation. It will help our industry’s charity organization as Hence, IR’s format that encourages plenty of networking opportuniwell as make it fun for attendees—a win-win for everyone.” ties. It kicks off the day before the show officially starts with a 4 p.m. As for the pandemic, Hauss assures all state and local safety protocols retailer panel about how to navigate one’s business in the pandemic and will be followed. “Obviously, safety is our top priority, and we do have advice on how to move forward. The panel will be held in a meeting plans in place and we’ll reevaluate as we get closer,” he says. room in the San Diego Convention Center. “Retailers generally come in Hauss is well-aware that launching a new show is not easy. Trying to the day before and once vendors are done setting up their booths and do so amid a pandemic—at a time the industry in great upheaval—only or finished with sales meeting, they can swing by, have a beer and listen makes it more challenging. But he’s undeterred, believing firmly in the to our panel,” Hauss says. “It’ll only be about an hour, so everyone will show’s overriding mission to bring the entire industry together again. still have time to go to dinner.” IR’s early strong response is reaffirming that belief. “I’m excited, because Next up is the opening night “Conversations Over Cocktails” event at we already have hundreds of wholesalers and buyers registered,” Hauss the convention center (5-6:30 p.m.), where Hauss will interview David says, noting that the word of mouth on the show has been amazing. Kahan, CEO of Birkenstock Americas. “It’ll be a candid conversation “Of course, I want more, but several key heads of state have said that so people get to know David for more than just a CEO,” Hauss says. this amount for a first show, in a new destination, is already a big win.” “We’ll have some real fun…while having some drinks.” Also planned
8 footwearplusmagazine.com • january 2022
