At the start of every year companies and professionals everywhere (including myself) ramp up on industry events happening all over the country. It's a time for education, innovation and hopefully inspiration, as well. The ultimate goal? Make indispensable connections for your business, but also to get your creative juices flowing to take back a refreshed perspective to your team and your clients.
Last month I attended the Agenda Show for the first time. Since 2003, Agenda has worked to house a diverse and creative fashion community. With events in Long Beach, as well as a stop in Las Vegas with over 1,000 brands in attendance, there is no doubt that the brands, buyers, distributors, and media in the fashion and lifestyle space will find themselves in event utopia. After just attending, I can say with absolute certainty, if you need a jolt of brand java to jumpstart your year, there's no better place than Agenda.
One thing that was clear to me was the attendees were incredibly diverse, and yet, somehow seamlessly connected as I went from one area of the conference to another. It was great to engage with the future of fashion in the form of new emerging brands like Let It Block, Jax Kelly, Corkcicle, Way of Will, and Rebel Soul Collective, as well as paying a visit to brands with years of street cred, including Adidas, Champion, Reebok, Doc Marten, and Steve Madden.
With hundreds of events under my belt it was refreshing to see everyone showcasing their own personal style, the brand design, and overall good vibes. What's more, the layout itself had been given just as much thought as the booths that lined the Long Beach Convention Center.
For those of you who have done the conference circuit, there's always a little bit of dread at the time commitment, maximum schmooze requirement, and travel for any conference, but as soon as you step on site for Agenda, it's clear you're somewhere special. Even the check-in team was gracious and warm. (It's all about the small things).
It was clear to me that everyone was there for three things; to showcase their lines and meet buyers/write orders, to connect with other people in a meaningful way, and to have a good time while doing the first two.
Agenda embodies the creative entrepreneurial spirit and is an instant favorite and must attend. I look forward to attending again this summer!