NEW CHICAGO TRADE SHOW CREATED TO SERVE THE GROWING WOMEN’S SPORTS MARKET

Over 75 Exhibitors Confirmed for

The Running & Fitness Event for Women, June 30-July 2;

Hundreds of Retailers Expected

CHICAGO – When you think about it, it makes perfect sense to create a conference and exposition targeted specifically to the women’s market. Considering 85 percent of sporting goods purchase decisions are made by women, the time is right for North America’s first trade show aimed at this important market.

Such was the thinking at Formula 4 Media, the creators of The Running Event, when they announced in October 2013 plans for The Running & Fitness Event for Women, June 30 to July 2, 2014, at Chicago’s Navy Pier.

The Running & Fitness Event for Women will provide retailers such as specialty stores, multi-sport, online, fitness and general sporting goods buyers a platform to better understand the modern female consumer and provide a first look at the products that will drive them into their stores and online.

Since then, over 75 manufacturers have signed on board and hundreds of retail buyers are planning to make it a must-attend summer event. Among the confirmed exhibitors are: Ahnu, Brooks, Lucy Activewear, Moving Comfort, Nunn, Pearl Izumi, PrAna, Reebok, Saucony, Spanx, Wigwam, and Zensah.

The schedule includes an opening night reception on June 30, and a fun run along Lake Michigan presented by Runner’s World and a Stand-Up Paddle Demo, both on July 1.

A consumer show and fashion show will be held on June 29 in conjunction with Fleet Feet Sports Chicago at another location soon to be announced.

Confirmed speakers are:

  • Dr. Jackie Frieberg, The She Economy: Keys to Marketing to and Serving Today’s Female Consumer
  • Kelly McDonald, Mommy Marketing: How to Win the Hearts and Reach the Wallets of Today’s Modern Mom
  • Leslie Cunningham, The Mann Group, Take Me To Your Dressing Room
  • Jill Nickels, Gensler Global Design, Retail Design for Women

Said Brian Drennen, vice president of Life Fitness Apparel in New York, “The conference and exposition will be an important show to attend for both brands and retailers as it will help forge relationships while being educational. It will allow new brands to emerge that can be invaluable to the retail community and provide the end consumer with innovative new products.”

Formula 4 Media’s Beth Gordon, V.P. Show Director, says the show was created to serve the changing needs of the female consumer and the needs of brands and retailers to address those changes.

“Women are shopping differently today than they did yesterday. For one thing, they’re shopping smarter – and looking for product designed by women for women.”

Gordon adds, “We’re harnessing the women’s market under one roof for three days of concentrated, focused educational seminars, demos, and exposition.

“The time is right to help retailers understand the female consumer, and suggest how to work with brands that have targeted this market.”

Formula 4 Media, based in Great Neck, N.Y., was established in 2005 and produces one other trade show, The Running Event, named one of Expo Magazine’s 25 fastest-growing shows of 2013, and Trade Show Executive’s Fastest 50 for the third consecutive year (2011, 2012, 2013). The company also produces eight publications: Footwear Insight, Outdoor Insight, Running Insight, Soccer Insight, Sports Insight, Team Insight, Textile Insight, and Trend Insight.

For more information, log onto: www.therunningandfitnesseventforwomen.com

Manufacturers interested in learning how to participate in the new Chicago show should contact Beth Gordon, [email protected], 949 293 1378 (www.formula4media.com)

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3-27-14