Stepping Forward Together

Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. heads to Orlando for the industry’s premier gathering — and kicks it off the right way.

Every pair of shoes tells a story. But some stories are more meaningful than others — and this one starts not on the trade show floor, but in the hallways of a Central Florida elementary school, with children’s faces lighting up as they laced up brand-new sneakers for the very first time.

The Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. management team — including our President, Cammie McKenzie — traveled to Orlando, Florida for the NSRA Footwear Forum 2026, the National Shoe Retailers Association’s annual gathering of independent footwear retailers from across the country. Before the conference sessions began and the business conversations got underway, our team made a stop that reminded us exactly why we’re in this business.

Event at a Glance — NSRA Footwear Forum 2026

The NSRA Footwear Forum — Where Independent Retail Thrives

The National Shoe Retailers Association has long been the backbone of independent footwear retail in America. The annual Footwear Forum brings together store owners, managers, brand representatives, and industry leaders for days of education, networking, buying opportunities, and conversation about the future of our craft.

For 2026, the NSRA chose Orlando as the backdrop — a fitting destination for an event rooted in energy, community, and forward momentum. The Forum serves as a critical touchstone for independent shoe retailers like Brown’s Shoe Fit Co., offering access to emerging brands, category insights, retail technology, and the kind of peer-to-peer learning that only happens when passionate footwear professionals gather in the same room.

As a proud member of NSRA and a retailer with 73 store locations across the country, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. takes this conference seriously. We don’t just attend the Footwear Forum — we show up ready to listen, learn, and lead. And this year, we made sure to lead with our hearts first.

The National Shoe Retailers Association (NSRA) is the trade organization representing independent footwear retailers across the United States. Through education, advocacy, networking, and industry events like the Footwear Forum, NSRA empowers independent shoe stores to compete, connect, and grow. Learn more at nsra.org.

A Heartwarming Kickoff: Fitting Kids at Tangelo Park Elementary

Before the Footwear Forum’s sessions opened, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. — alongside fellow NSRA members and brand partners — participated in the annual shoe distribution event, a tradition that has become one of the most meaningful things we do as an organization.

This year’s distribution took place at Tangelo Park Elementary School in Orlando — a community where new shoes aren’t just a gift, they’re a step toward confidence, comfort, and readiness to learn. Our management team, led by President Cammie McKenzie, rolled up their sleeves and got to work doing what Brown’s does best: fitting feet, properly.

The goal was simple and stunning: 500 children fitted with donated New Balance shoes and Feetures socks — two brands that know feet, and proved that day that they know community too. This wasn’t just a drop-off and wave goodbye. This was a full fitting experience, Brown’s-style: checking sizing, measuring width, lacing up, and watching each child take their first steps in a pair that was actually made for them.

“We didn’t come to Orlando just for the conference. We came to make a difference — and there is nothing more grounding than kneeling down to fit a child with a pair of shoes that actually fits. That’s why we do this work.”

— Cammie McKenzie, President, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.

The smiles said everything. Children who might have spent the school year in shoes that were too small, too big, or simply worn through — walking out of that gymnasium with a spring in their step and a brand-new pair of New Balance sneakers laced up perfectly.

For Cammie and the entire Brown’s management team, this annual event is more than a feel-good moment. It’s a reminder that the expertise we bring to footwear — the decades of experience in fit, function, and comfort — has real power to change lives, one pair at a time.

By the Numbers

New Balance, Feetures, and the Power of Partnership

None of this happens without partners who share our values. New Balance’s commitment to communities — not just to athletic performance — and Feetures’ dedication to performance socks made this event possible. Together, these two brands ensured that every child walked away with a complete, properly fitted outfit from the ankle down. Their donated products represent exactly the kind of quality we’re proud to carry and recommend: built with care, designed to last, and crafted with real feet in mind.

At Brown’s Shoe Fit Co., we’ve built our reputation on being the footwear experts our customers can trust — and that trust is earned one fitting at a time. Events like the Tangelo Park distribution aren’t just community outreach. They’re a demonstration of our core belief: that everyone deserves shoes that fit well, feel great, and support the life they’re living.

Back in the Forum: Learning, Growing, Leading

With full hearts and fresh perspective, the Brown’s team stepped into the Footwear Forum ready to engage. The NSRA conference gives independent retailers access to things big-box stores take for granted — but that we fight for every single day: meaningful vendor relationships, specialized product knowledge, customer service best practices, and the collective wisdom of fellow independent operators who refuse to be outpaced by e-commerce giants or category killers.

For Brown’s, the Footwear Forum is a place to strengthen existing brand relationships, discover what’s new in the category, and think hard about where footwear retail is heading. With 73 locations across the country and a growing digital presence at brownsshoefitco.com, we’re always thinking about how to be the best footwear destination in the country — for our in-store customers and our online shoppers alike.

The conversations that happen at NSRA events — candid, peer-level exchanges between people who run shoe stores for a living — are invaluable. You don’t get that from a trade publication or an industry report. You get it by showing up.

The NSRA Footwear Forum connects independent shoe retailers with brands, education, and each other — creating a community of practice that helps stores like Brown’s stay competitive, informed, and inspired. Whether you’re a single-door retailer or a regional chain, NSRA is your industry home. Visit nsra.org to learn more.

Local Anywhere.

Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. has been rooted in communities for generations — built on relationships, honesty, and the belief that every person who walks through our door (or visits us online) deserves genuine expertise and genuine care. That spirit travels with us wherever we go.

Tangelo Park isn’t in our backyard. But those kids are part of our community — because community isn’t just geography. It’s the choice to show up for people, to use what you know and what you have to make someone’s day a little better. A pair of shoes might seem like a small thing. But ask any of those children — or their parents — and you’ll know it isn’t small at all.

We’re grateful to NSRA for creating a culture where giving back is woven into the fabric of the event. We’re grateful to New Balance and Feetures for their generosity and partnership. And we’re proud of our team — especially Cammie — for leading with heart and purpose.

This is Brown’s. This is what we do. And we can’t wait to do it again.

Why Buy Yours From Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.?

With 73 locally owned and operated locations across the Midwest, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. has been a trusted name in footwear since 1911. Known for our personalized service and commitment to quality, Brown’s Shoe Fit is the go-to destination for comfortable, quality footwear for all ages. Each of our stores offers a footwear selection unique to the needs of our communities, with a knowledgeable staff trained to give every customer the best fit possible. To learn more about us, visit brownsshoefitco.com or find a store near you!