On the Agenda

For designers and buyers, Agenda focuses on brands that have a unique level of design and aesthetic. ‘With a strong emphasis in style, art, music and culture, the Agenda experience is as much a lesson as it is a tool.’

via agendashow.com

One of Agenda’s co-founders, Aaron Levante, first got involved in streetwear and streetculture in LA in 1989. Agenda was founded in 2003 as a way for buyers and designers of streetwear apparel and accessories to gain recognition and do business. Today Agenda has replaced well known tradeshows like ASR, and provides the biggest streetwear and streetculture trade show on the west coast.

Agenda has 6 shows over the course of a year, 2 in New York, 2 in Tokyo and 2 in California – the next is this July in New York City, then August in Huntington Beach.

Re-cap from Agenda Anaheim, January 2011

via Agenda Tradeshow

Originally set out to exhibit streetwear – a small niche market – Agenda has become not just an alternative show, but also one that continues to grow steadily as the market continues to expand.

Before Magic’s S.L.A.T.E exhibit for streetwear, trade shows didn’t capture the essence of the market. Agenda brought culture, lifestyle and art to the forefront.

As resources continue to be put on reserve and marketing budgets get cut, we’ll see a growing emphasis on the concentration of tradeshows, for instance, S.L.A.T.E. at Magic, and the elimination of ASR. As Agenda has made a place for itself, not only representing the west coast, but also internationally, I think we’ll continue to see it as a place for creative brands to come together. I think we’ll also see more culture, lifestyle and art becoming a part of other trade shows, as it can easily make a difference in the number of businesses that find it worth it to attend.

For more information on Agenda:
Agenda Website
Aaron Levante: The Tradeshow Grind Part 1 
Aaron Levante: The Tradeshow Grind Part 2