The Southeastern Shoe Travelers Association

The Southeastern Shoe Travelers Association (SESTA) was founded in 1942 “to promote the best interests and welfare of its members” and “encourage a spirit of cooperation among those engaged in the distribution of shoes and kindred merchandise.”

SESTA’s primary activity is sponsoring a bi-annual market in Atlanta. Over the years, this trade show has grown in size to become one of the world’s ten largest shoe trade fairs. In 2000, the SESTA board of directors voted to change the name of the trade show to the North American Shoe & Accessory Market. In 2007, the board voted to re-brand the show with the name by which it is most often referred to within the industry, The Atlanta Shoe Market