The agenda for this inaugural gathering includes a review of feedback from each company’s buying teams on their perceptions of the off-price shows; a discussion on the state of the off-price retail industry in 2008-2009; an evaluation of the Off-Price Show Exhibitor mix; the dynamics of other Fashion Week shows in relation to the Off-Price Show; and an open discussion on the benefits of the Off-Price Show, as well as areas for improvement.

“We are very enthusiastic about the new format for our mid-year show,” said Julie Ichiba, Executive Show Director for the Off-Price Group.  “Our May event has always been a nice intimate marketplace for immediate and Fall/Back to School Buying Needs.  To add a high-level meeting of industry heavyweights is a perfect complement.  Our exhibitors are very enthusiastic about networking and sharing ideas with these executives and their buyers – an opportunity they seldom get at our Fashion Week Shows where order-writing is the higher priority.”

105 leading vendors will be occupying 150 booths at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa, a new venue for Off-Price that is a throwback to its original shows in which the exhibitors and buyers stayed in the same hotel.

“It was magical, because buyers and vendors could break bread and develop meaningful relationships in the evening after a busy day of negotiating and order-writing,” said Steve Forman of the Off-Price Apparel Association.  “We formed a real community back then that helped the Off-Price Show become the big success it is today.  It’s great to be able to go back to our roots during this difficult retail market so that we can work together and build solutions.”

The Off-Price Retail Summit & Expo is preceded by an Industry Day on May 5^th which includes an afternoon of golf at the Spanish Trails Country Club and an evening cocktail reception.  Net proceeds from the Industry Day benefit the American Brain Tumor Association.