Memories!!! This is the first day I met Sheena!!

Okay, I suppose I gave Sheena this topic because I am a little sad that I will not be attending WSA this year. I have gone to every WSA for the last few years and while I know that it is not what it used to be, it is still an anticipated trip of my summer. I will miss for just a tiny little minute, being so hot that I feel like my feet are melting into the pavement,  wandering from one side of the trade show to the other so I can say hi to all my friends while my feet feel like they are going to fall off and hating my hotel room because of the lack of humidity….so much so that you wake up in the middle of the night and have to lotion on your fee just so they don’t stick to the sheets. AAHHHH VEGAS…..the sound of slot machines ringing in your ear even when they are nowhere in sight…the drunken tourist spilling their giant Eiffel Tower drink on you as you are walking by with bags and bags of crap that  you really don’t need from the show, trying to make it back to your room in time to change for dinner, which turns into dinner and drinks and then one too many drinks…. which then leads to the lack of sleep and of course that inevitable  horrible long plane ride (for some of us anyway) back home at the end of a whirlwind trip.

Yes…I am a little sad….but I just got finished with the busiest 4 weeks of my life and feel the right thing to do is regroup and prepare for my trip to NYC for Ffany….so to Sheena’s point which you will read below, NY has become just as important and when left to make a decision to attend Ffany or WSA…..this time for me Ffany wins, especially considering that WSA is over a weekend and most of the attendees will have to jump on a plane from Vegas straight to NYC. It’s a little much for me right now, but  for all of you I will miss…..have a great time and I will see you in February!!!  The disclaimer reads: “Sheena’s Weekly Rant is meant for entertainment purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of all Shoebizness contributors. Here on Shoebizness we like to highlight all different perspectives.” -Julia

AUGUST WSA, LOVE IT OR HATE IT?

As WSA quickly approaches I can’t help but panic a little. It seems as we all relax and get down to business, another show is in need for preparation. I know, it’s part of the program and it’s necessary for us to attend all the shows, especially if you want to stay in the forefront of the industry.

However, the show scheme tends to get annoying and repetitive. WSA appears to be a sinking ship, and the constant rumors don’t help either. One of the biggest issues I have is the overlapping of shows. This makes it virtually impossible for buyers to attend both. Now we are forced to treat WSA and FFaNY as one in the same.  Which means more money to travel, sleep, eat and drink.

Still, as many others and I complain, what can we really do? We will all show up with our expensive build-out booths and show at the respective tradeshows. You simply must see your buyers. Until they stop going to the shows, we will be there waiting for them to show up and hour late for their appointment.

I have to add a thing I do love about WSA in August. POOL TIME. We get into town a couple days early, handle our business, set up the booth, then drink at the shit pool at the LV Hilton.  It’s the best place to spy on other reps and manufacturers. Not to mention the occasional drunk-e-poo that stumbles around the pool acting all kinds of crazy.  Now that I think about it, I cant freaking wait for WSA. Well, commission plays a small part in my love affair too.

See you all at the pool!

-Sheena

www.matissefootwear.com