Shoes

They can make a statement. They can be functional. They can be high-heeled, flat, sporty, ballerina, chunky, practical, or platform. They can make us feel tall, fast, smart, sassy, or all of the above. They may pinch, rub, cause us to blister, or slip off of our feet. They might be just the thing we need at the end of a long day. They can allow us to express our unique identity. It’s amazing what a single pair of shoes can do. But let’s be honest, who only has a single pair of shoes?

To meeting professionals and others in the hospitality industry, the right pair of shoes can mean the difference between making it through one more day or ending up in the emergency room. Ladies, I’m talking almost exclusively to you. When walking a 400,000 square foot trade show floor for three days, leave the stilettos at home.

I’ve been to several industry exhibitions over the years. I did the heels my first year against the advice of those older and wiser than me. I quickly learned that not only does nobody look at your feet (which I can tell you is true since in 16+ years I cannot remember what shoes anyone was wearing), nobody will care because they are wearing the same shoes themselves. I’m not saying wear the tennis shoes you wore to paint the garage last weekend, your flat shoes or sneakers can be stylish, but high heels… definitely not.

I attend a business-formal attire trade show every year. It’s a highlight of the year for me. There are executives from around the world representing every hotel chain, convention center, and more. Almost every city, state, and country is in attendance and every hospitality and tourism service provider you could dream up is there. They are spending millions of dollars on their booths, hosting receptions and dinners, and buying tickets to the hottest shows. Do you know what they are not doing while they are on the show floor? You guessed it, wearing high-heeled shoes. Most of the women in these booths are wearing a nice flat with their tailored, matching suits. The only ladies you see in high heels are wearing a showgirl headdress and covered in sequins or shopping at the flip-flop shop.

I concede, you will see some ladies don the torture devices for the after parties once the show has closed. Some women would never be caught without her heeled beauties if it weren’t for the 14 hour days – so at night, on they go. These are the same women who, knowing the CEO may be stopping by the booth for a visit, slip the stilettos on anyway whether or not they will be able to walk for the next three days.

Over the six years that I have attended this event my shoe wardrobe has changed. I observe what others are doing year over year and my selection continues to get a little more casual. After 2020, I think everyone got out of the habit of wearing shoes at all; we became more of a slipper culture. This past year I went full-on running shoe with my suit. I can tell you that it was the footwear of choice I saw on most people, suppliers and planners alike. I even ran into the host of the event…the planner du jour from Germany who I think has one of the best, but by far one of the busiest jobs in the world…wearing the most worn out but probably the most comfortable trainers she owns.

If you are taking appointments, dashing off to catch training, and walking through the Las Vegas hotels and convention centers in your heels, trust me, you’re truly not impressing anyone. In fact, most people you pass are thinking, “Rookie move.”

Did you learn this one the hard way? Do you have a shoe story? Share it here or
send me an email, I’d love to hear what you learned!

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