The expansion plans for what’s become one of the leading trade shows for streetwear, action sports-inspired apparel, footwear, and accessories, and upper urbanwear known as Agenda would inevitably invade the space of Las Vegas during what’s becoming a crowded trade show timeframe featuring MAGIC, Project MVMNT, Pool, and Capsule, (and MAGIC’s online show, Shop the Floor). Last month, they announced they would host an AGENDA show in Las Vegas August 19-21, 2013 during the same timeframe as the others shows, but within a new collaboration called Modern Assembly.
Modern Assembly is a new strategic alliance made up of the AccessoriesTheShow, AGENDA, Capsule, Liberty, MRket and Stitch tradeshows, who will present A/W 2013 collections from more than 2500 brands at the Venetian and Sands Expo in a newly developed, streamlined format. Liberty is created by Project founder, Sam Ben-Avraham, and will debut with a selection of 250 premium men’s and women’s labels.
“We want to make Las Vegas really sing again,” says Ben-Avraham. “Working together is a new way of doing business. Each of our four organizations are committed to servicing the industry as best we can. We want to provide the ultimate platform for brands.”
According to Aaron Levant, AGENDA founder, “The Agenda Show thrives on deeply established exhibitor and retailer relationships in the streetwear, lifestyle, and action sports industries and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of this new union of shows. Modern Assembly will solve the increasing feelings of discontent surrounding the Las Vegas market, by offering a familiar and trusted trade show environment which houses four remarkable shows under one roof.”
With the Reed Group partnership, AGENDA also has more has more support to grow progressively, yet, as Levant told us at the show in Long Beach, in ways befitting the times, without the hassles of a corporation that doesn’t know the scene getting in the way, and allowing for a careful plan to improve what has already been accomplished in Long Beach and New York and now onto Vegas.
Actually, it’s always been the very nimbleness of AGENDA, from its down and dirty roots launching at a theatre across the street from ASR and brands rolling in rack, that keeps it on the leading-edge. The ability for this show to carve out its own course and change direction when needed based on the fast-changing landscape has assured its success: It’s weathered the 2008 crash and motored on into an even more unpredictable time, which is 2013, hosting a shows in Long Beach and New York that represented some true diehards of core such as Crooks & Castles, 10 Deep, Akomplice, Neff Headwear, and The Hundreds, to an entire section devoted to newer brands with a different take such as Finally Famous, Play Cloths, The People’s Movement, and Third & Army. Meanwhile, attracting the ongoing entertainment factor like a retro newsstand featuring Monster Children, pop-up displays such as Vision Streetwear’s artwork from the Loss Prevention Collective, Flex Fit’s Basecamp art gallery and lounge, Huf’s Jewelry Exchange Emporium, and at the Long Beach show, the added cool component of an entire café area culled from So-Cal’s diverse selection of famous food trucks.
Now on the agenda for AGENDA is a new VP of Sales and Marketing, action sports veteran Mike Carter. According to AGENDA’s latest statement, Carter, who co-founded eyewear brand Electric Visual and served as Vice President of Global Marketing for Skullcandy, will head up Sales and Marketing for AGENDA at a particularly fortuitous moment of growth for the company. AGENDA recently added two shows to its full calendar after joining the Modern Assembly trade show collective in Las Vegas (Capsule, Liberty Fairs, Stitch, MRket). Carter will bring his expertise and vision as a brand strategist to AGENDA’s three bi-annual shows in Long Beach, New York and Las Vegas.
“The AGENDA organization has always represented innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, bringing refreshing new energy to the B-2-B community.” Carter said. “AGENDA is unique in their ability to bring different segments, cultures and art forms together under one roof to benefit from one another as well as to create the outlet for established and emerging brands to come together to celebrate the true action/lifestyle movement. I look forward to continuing the relationships with those already affiliated with AGENDA and creating opportunities with new brands that could benefit from the growth AGENDA can provide.”
The growth plans for AGENDA including Carter, are exciting to see within this very competitive industry. How it stands-up to others once in Vegas, along with the new approach of Modern Assembly, may set fresh new standards for fashion trade shows.
