United States
Sneaker Con
Retail
Community & Culture
Imagine a Comic Con for sneakerheads, and you’ve got Sneaker Con. It’s the place to be for anyone who’s into kicks – from collectors and vendors to all-around footwear fanatics.
Here, they get to lose themselves in the Trading Pit – a massive maze of stalls where they can buy, sell, and trade some of the rarest sneakers, sports gear, and other vintage finds.
But each event in the global series is more than just trainers – it is a true celebration of sneaker culture, streetwear fashion, and music with interactive games, exclusive competitions, and special guest appearances from A-list celebs and athletes.
It all kicked off in New York City in 2009, and co-founders Alan Vinogradov, Barris Vinogradov, and Yu-Ming Wu have since turned it into the world’s largest traveling sneaker convention. In 15 years, Sneaker Con has showcased over half a million sneakers and brought together more than 300,000 attendees and 4000+ exhibitors across 30+ cities across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The business also expanded to launch its own digital marketplace, and has even created spaces for budding young entrepreneurs to develop their skills.
While sneaker culture resonates strongly with millennial and Gen-Z audiences, Sneaker Con says it attracts a diverse crowd and recently reported seeing growth in female attendance.
“Our aim has always been to connect the dots between influencers and people, creating a vibrant and inclusive community,” Sneaker Con’s Managing Director Will Debord said in a recent chat with 303magazine. “It’s beautiful to see all different types of people come together at our events.”
He added: “I remember the sneakers I wore to my high school basketball game and my first date with my now-wife; it’s the memories tied to sneakers that keep people coming back to Sneaker Con.”
