Atlanta Apparel and the Boutique Hub Continue Partnership With in-Person Boutique Summit in August 2021

The Boutique Hub, the boutique retail industry’s largest business-building community, has announced that its 2021 Boutique Summit will be an in-person event, hosted in partnership with Atlanta Apparel. This year's event is scheduled for August 1-2, 2021 at AmericasMart Atlanta immediately before the August Atlanta Apparel Market, August 3-7, 2021.    

"We are very excited to once again be hosting an in-person Boutique Summit, with the help of Atlanta Apparel," said Ashley Alderson, founder and CEO of The Boutique Hub. "If last year showed us anything, it is that the boutique retail community is incredibly resilient, even in the face of the unknown. At this point there are still a lot of unknowns with in-person events, but we are committed to getting our members safely back together, so we can learn and network with one another."

The Boutique Summit returns to Atlanta after a sold-out 2019 staging and a 2020 hiatus due to the pandemic. The 2021 boutique industry business conference will offer educational and networking opportunities for boutique owners, service providers and other members of the boutique retail community. Tickets for the 2021 event, which are limited to allow for social distancing, are on sale now at TheBoutiqueHub.com.

“Supporting independent boutiques through the pandemic has been at the forefront of Atlanta Apparel’s drive to provide an in-person buying experience, which we have done successfully through five apparel and three social occasion markets since June 2020,” said Dorothy Belshaw, International Market Centers executive vice president, chief marketing and customer officer. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with The Boutique Summit this August.”

Presentations from some 20 experts are planned for The Boutique Summit including a session on brand strategy with Alison Faulkner of The Alison Show and leadership training with NFL All-Pro turned actor, playwright and motivational speaker Bo Eason. Alderson, her Boutique Hub team and additional experts also will lead sessions on financial planning, content and social media, merchandising and more. Other events include a fashion show, VIP Pre-Party, cocktail hour, luncheon and Sip-n-Shop opportunity to meet Boutique Hub member vendors.

In addition to the in-person Boutique Summit, ticket holders also are invited to a live Breakout Workshop Day with interactive workshops on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

“The August timing of The Boutique Summit is ideal for attendees who are committing to grow their businesses,” adds Belshaw. “After their educational sessions, they have immediate access to the full presentation of Atlanta Apparel resources – expansive contemporary and young contemporary women’s apparel and accessories collections plus our specialty social occasion, bridal and children’s offerings – providing inspiration and exploration opportunities for new verticals and revenue streams.”    

The August Atlanta Apparel Market will present 2,500+ lines showing holiday, resort, winter and immediates in women’s apparel, accessories and shoes, and Spring/Summer new introductions in Children’s apparel, accessories and gifts. Showrooms are open Tuesday, August 3 – Saturday, August 7, 2021 and temporaries are open Tuesday, August 3 – Thursday, August 5, 2021.

New for 2021, the August Atlanta Apparel is co-located with World of Prom & Social Occasion – the national prom, pageant, social occasion and quinceañera market – and VOW | New World of Bridal – showcasing looks for brides, bridal parties, mothers-of-the-bride, grooms, flower girls and more – with some 100+ lines in showrooms Monday, August 2 – Saturday, August 7, 2021 and temporaries Tuesday, August 3 – Friday, August 6, 2021.

One badge will give buyers access to all three markets.