FN PLATFORM CELEBRATES SIGNIFICANT GROWTH AND EXPANSION

FN PLATFORMShowcases International Growth, New Luxury Section, Appearance by Dancing with the Stars’ Brooke Burke, Educational Seminars, Events and More
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (July 26, 2011) – FN PLATFORM, the shoe show at MAGIC, will showcase significant international growth at its August 2011 show.  In addition to welcoming multiple international footwear trade organizations from Brazil, Spain, Italy, Mexico and the U.K., FN PLATFORM will also partner with both the British Footwear Association (BFA) and the Spanish footwear trade organization (FICE), respectively, on events throughout the week. In addition, buyer pre-registration for FN PLATFORM is up more than 25 percent.

“FN PLATFORM is undergoing incredible growth and expansion in the international, contemporary and luxury categories,” said Chris DeMoulin, MAGIC International President and Executive Vice President of Advanstar’s Fashion Group. “In just two short years, it has established itself as the premier event in North America for shoe people to gather, network and do business – virtually every global footwear brand is here.”
In an effort to evolve educational offerings for the entire footwear community, FN PLATFORM and the United Shoe Retailers Association (USRA) will host “The USRA Business Building & Insight Event,” a day of industry networking, workshops and informative sessions, on Sunday, August 21 from 1pm to 6:30pm at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  This event follows a USRA
co- sponsored golf tournament at one of Las Vegas’s PGA Championship courses that morning.

On the luxury front, FN PLATFORM’s newly created “Black Diamond” area will feature more than 20 luxury designer brands, including Jerome Rousseau, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Pollini and Missoni –to name a few.  
Other show highlights include:

• Appearance by Brooke Burke of “Dancing with the Stars” and Spokesperson for Skechers – (Tuesday, August 23, 2pm – 3pm) –Brooke Burke will hold a “meet and greet” at Skechers booth in Zen.  
• Opening Night Party – FN PLATFORM’s opening night party, co-sponsored by Spanish footwear trade organization FICE, will kick off Monday evening at FN Café Lounge and feature live music from Vegas legend Peter Monroy and his band.  
• Sterne Agee Financial Seminar Breakfast Series (Monday, August 22 and Tuesday, August 23, 8am – 9am) - one of the oldest privately held financial firms in the U.S., and FN PLATFORM hosts breakfast and informative, thought-provoking business discussions and the opportunity to network with key decision makers, industry analysts and influencers in the footwear industry.
• A Showcase of Britain’s Best at the BFA’s:  “English Shoe Garden” – This unique installation will introduce and honor British footwear brands and designers in a garden setting.  Opening champagne reception - Monday, August 22, 3pm – 4pm).
• FN PLATFORM Emerging Technology and the Footwear Industry Seminar (Tuesday, August 23, 8am—9am) - Led by industry insiders and thought leaders, this informative seminar will discuss what’s next in social commerce and e-tailing for the footwear industry.  
• Footwear News Blogger Lounge (Open Daily) - FOOTWEAR NEWS booth will be blogger-central at FN PLATFORM.  Some of the hottest footwear bloggers will be reporting on trends and posting live from the lounge.  Everyone is welcome to meet the bloggers, and see what the buzz is about.

About FN PLATFORM
FN PLATFORM, the shoe show at MAGIC, launched in February 2010 under the direction of Advanstar VP, Footwear Leslie Gallin, and quickly became the largest and most comprehensive collection of branded footwear in North America. FN PLATFORM is comprised of five unique lifestyle environments showcasing distinctive market categories: Cosmo (women’s fashion footwear), Camp (athleisure, lifestyle casual), Bond (men’s collections), Zen (men’s and women’s euro-comfort), and InPlay (junior’s and children’s). FN PLATFORM takes place during MAGIC from August 22–24, 2011, at The Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information, please visit www.fnplatform.com.

About MAGIC
Every August and February, the fashion industry converges in Las Vegas for the most influential event in the business – MAGIC. As an incubator of fashion, MAGIC is where new trends surface and develop into what will be seen on the consumer. The show’s goal is to connect and inspire the fashion community. The August 2011 MAGIC will run from August 22 – 24, 2011. For up-to-date exhibitor listings, seminar scheduling, travel support and registration information please visit www.magiconline.com.