Fire Starters/Community Builders
Finalist: Emerge the Agency
Emerge the Agency, a St. Louis-based consulting and brand strategy firm, in 2023 launched a new retail trade show designed to feature consumer brands in St. Louis. The agency said its Emerge The Show event was St. Louis' first wholesale trade show and conference. As part of the trade show, Emerge provided training to local entrepreneurs of consumer-facing brands, with its programming including participation from Build-A-Bear founder and former CEO Maxine Clark.
Emerge the Agency launched in 2023 and is led by co-owner Jessica Conick and Daphne Benzaquen, who both have backgrounds in working locally in the consumer products industry.
What was your company’s biggest achievement in the past year?
Our biggest achievement in the past year was bringing to life Emerge The Show, St. Louis’ first wholesale Tradeshow + Conference, which featured amazing speakers like Maxine Clark, Lisa Gorvo from Big Heart Tea and Akeem Shannon from Flipstik. Not only were we able to equip attendees with skills, knowledge and confidence to pursue this traditional retail stream to grow their business, but we also created a tradeshow that attracted buyers from all over St. Louis and facilitated participants in receiving orders and buying local while positively influencing the local St. Louis economy. More statistics can be found here and attached.
What is your company’s top goal for the next year?
Emerge is actively contributing to transforming St. Louis into a strategic hub for the fashion industry aligned with its strategic plan across the next year. We’ve already facilitated the establishment of an international client’s presence, marking the beginning of our vision to attract more fashion businesses to the area. Our ongoing efforts focus on establishing U.S. launch points, logistics centers, or physical community presences in the St. Louis community. This initiative is enhancing the local economy by contributing significantly to job creation and supporting the $13.3 billion already generated by the fashion sector in Missouri. By leveraging St. Louis’s offerings as a logistics hub and more, we are not only bolstering the existing 3,500 fashion-related businesses but also positioning St. Louis as a key player in the global fashion scene. Through these efforts, St. Louis is steadily being recognized as an essential destination for fashion innovation and business growth and Emerge will continue to spur growth in line with our vision.
Are you currently hiring?
We are continually seeking to expand our team with professionals who have specialized experience in the fashion industry. Specifically, we are looking for consultants who have proven success in managing wholesale relationships, influencer marketing, and national press engagements. These roles are crucial as we enhance our services and extend our reach in the national fashion sector.
See photos from the 2024 Fire Awards event below:
