That unmistakable new shoe smell will fill the Cook Convention Center on Oct. 11 during SneakFest Round 2.
Started in the fall of 2013 by senior business management major at Middle Tennessee State Adam Ghueder and his friends Jerry Khammavong, Sherman Harper and Reginald Jones, SneakFest has since become the biggest sneaker expo in the state of Tennessee.
Ghueder has worked hard to bring the footwear expo back to Memphis for the second time this year, and looks to capitalize on the shoe craze in the city.
“We have shown the city of Memphis a new event,” Gheuder said. “At SneakFest you will witness and be surrounded not only by sneakers, but by high-end and much sought after collector sneakers as well.”
SneakFest will feature private vendors from around the country selling new and used shoes as well as apparel.
Sponsors such as Ching’s Hot Wings and City Gear will help put on an event that shoe fans will not want to miss. A local radio station will also have a part in the expo, Ghueder said.
“We also have K97FM as our broadcasting partner. They will be having a live broadcast beginning at 1 p.m. the day of SneakFest Round 2,” Ghueder said. “Another unique aspect to the expo will be the customizations done to shoes or apparel.”
The customization aspect of SneakFest Round 2 provides Sneaker heads the opportunity to get detailed work done to their favorite pairs of kicks.
During the initial SneakFest, the Cook Convention Center saw about 1,700 people in attendance. This time Ghueder and his team hope to see a turnout of more than 2,000.
Ghueder believes that sneakers represent more than footwear, they represent a major cultural change.
“Sneakers have always been sought after, but the younger generation has created a huge shift in the culture of sneakers,” Ghueder said. “Sneaker conventions are the perfect place to purchase a sneaker you might have missed out on.”
Ghueder says that part of the reason for this shift is due to celebrity endorsements.
“Celebrity sneaker endorsements are the primary reason the sneaker culture is where it is today,” Ghueder said. “Celebrity and athlete endorsements will always be something people look forward to and will always fuel big sneaker sales.”
SneakFest Round 2 will take place Oct. 11 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $20, but early bird admission tickets can be bought for $15.
