The Best Shoes for Trade Show Organizers and Exhibitors, According to a Podiatrist

May 30, 2019

We've all been there — only a few hours into a looong trade show day, and your feet are already aching. When your feet hurt, it can truly be difficult to think about anything else. Yet aside from kicking off your professional shoes in favor of your old Nikes, what can you do to ensure your feet will be comfortable and presentable for the entire day?

Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, a podiatrist based in New York and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association, says you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. She recommends brands like Vionic, which offers a wide range of colors, patterns and styles in shoes that are “good for your body and soles,” she says.

It might sound obvious, but to get the most mileage out of your day without painful feet, women should keep their heel height to 3 inches or less, says Dr. Sutera. You should also limit your time in them by wearing “commuter shoes” during your walk to and from the trade show.

Dr. Sutera warns against “breaking in” your shoes for an event. For that matter, if shoes need a lot of breaking in, you should reconsider buying them in the first place. “Shoes should feel great the first time you try them on in the store,” she says. (If the toe is just a little snug at first, you can use a shoe spray and a shoe stretcher overnight until it gives.) It’s a good idea to wear your shoes at home for about 30 minutes a day for several weeks leading up to your event to give you a good idea of how they’ll hold up, she advises.

Avoid the common pitfalls of buying shoes that don’t fit quite right just because they’re on sale, or wearing shoes that used to be comfortable but have lost their padding. Both are surefire ways to create problems like blisters, which are nearly impossible to remedy mid-show. If you do find yourself with a blister, treat it by adding padding inside the shoe, and applying antibiotic ointment and a bandage, says Dr. Sutera.

Finally, don’t plan to wear the same shoes every day of a multi-day trade show. Though it’s tempting to bring fewer pairs to squeeze by with just a carry-on, wearing the same shoe every day for long periods of time can cause pain even if they are generally comfortable.

Keeping all of these things in mind, here are Dr. Sutera’s recommendations for the best comfortable and stylish shoes for trade show organizers and exhibitors.

Kaitlyn Wedge

These have a 2.5-inch heel, but the wedge style (available in four colors) makes them feel like flats. The cute ankle-tie ribbon adds flair with dresses for summer.

$130, vionicshoes.com

Kaitlyn









 


Touareg Vibe Oxford

This handsome style for me, which comes in black or brown, looks like a dress shoe, but feels like a sneaker for days when you're working way longer than 9 to 5. 

$90, macys.com

Clarks








Jeules Pumps

With fun patterns like powder blue raffia and cutout blush suede, plus a manageable 3-inch heel, these pumps were practically made for spring meetings — but don’t look like “work shoes.”

$70, macys.com

Jeules










Mia Block Heel

From red patent to snakeskin, these low heels compromise zero style for functionality. They’re available in both medium and wide in eight colors.

$140, vionicshoes.com

MIa









Sullivan Slip On

This easy-on, modern leather shoe features a stylish burnished tow with amazing orthotic support and comes in three shades.

$150, vionicshoes.com 

Sullivan








Tali Grand Bow Wedge

Accent your business-professional look with a feminine bow detail. These low wedges with a delicate ankle strap are available in nude, black and red — i.e., they go with anything.

$150, zappos.com

Tali









Blaire Heeled Sandal

For the woman who wants a little more detailing in her footwear, these suede block-heeled sandals are the perfect transition shoe for afternoon meetings to evening cocktail reception.

$140, vionicshoes.com

Blaire

 









Bruno Oxford

A classic mens' look without the classic pinching, this practical, professional shoe comes in five different shades to match your event attire.

$150, vionicshoes.com

Bruno









Banks Pump

Practical without looking matronly, these elegantly structured pumps are nearly flats, with a 1-inch heel and a closed toe that work in even the most conservative setting.

$70, amazon.com

 

Banks

 

 

 

 




Have you found the ultimate trade show shoe? Please share your tips for the most comfortable, stylish footwear with us on Twitter, @TSNN_com_US.

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.