More than one hundred executives from leading footwear companies attended the FDRA 70th Anniversary Party this week in New York. Founded in 1944 by the footwear industry, and directed by the industry’s top footwear executives, FDRA celebrated 7 decades dedicated to the American industry.

“FDRA’s 70th anniversary was a great success and marked a moment when the top executives in our industry came together to celebrate their association, as well as the accomplishments of their peers. The celebration displayed how FDRA represents the entirety of the industry, including nearly every top company and hundreds of brands, and how FDRA continues to be the nexus of the industry for business intelligence and advocacy” commented Matt Priest, FDRA President.

Wolverine Worldwide was awarded FDRA’s Advocate of the Year award as the company who worked the hardest to advance the footwear industry’s cause in Washington, DC in 2013. Based on an NPD Group footwear brand loyalty survey of 10 000 consumers, Merrell received the Brand Focus Award for its ability to cultivate the industry’s “strongest following among its customers”.

Other winners include Kmart (self-service category), H.H. Brown (full service category), Cole Haan (Digital Marketer of the Year), Mark Feldman of Valley Lane Industries (Outstanding Service Award) and Jim Issler, President and CEO of H.H. Brown (Distinguished Leadership Award).

Matt Priest commented on the winners: “I want to congratulate Kmart and H.H. Brown for earning FDRA’s 2013 Sales Survey Awards against fierce competition. Merrell and Cole Haan also deserve recognition for their efforts to enhance relations with their customers and drive brand loyalty. What a great accomplishment for these industry leaders. FDRA also recognized Wolverine Worldwide for their tireless efforts in Washington, DC to lower footwear duties on behalf of consumers and the industry.”