Shoe Repair: It's More than You Think!
Welcome to the website of the Shoe Service Institute of America. Founded in 1904, SSIA is the trade association for the shoe repair industry. On this site, consumers and find information on the benefits of shoe repair, and businesses in the shoe repair industry can find information about industry events. Contact us with questions.
SSIA Convention
SSIA's 118th Annual Convention is scheduled July 12-13, 2025 in Las Vegas.
Join SSIA Today
SSIA offers membership to suppliers, wholesalers and shoe repair shops.
Shoe Repair Shop Locator
Looking for shoe repair? Our locator will find the SSIA member nearest you.
Chadwick Winget Wins first SSIA Shine Off
Chadwick Winget of Best Foot Forward in Alexandria, VA took home top honors in the first SSIA Shine Off in 2024. The live event was a highlight of the Shoe Service Institute of America's 117th Annual Convention in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ.
To enter the Shine Off, Winget and shiners from across the United States performed their best mirror shine on a men's shoes and sent photographs to SSIA early in the year. Judges reviewed the photos and selected three finalists -- Winget, Sunny Yoo from Cobbler Company in Ellicott City, MD and Jason Dorn from Team Shine Force in Denver, CO.
The final competition was live. Finalists were given 20 minutes to create their best mirror shine. They worked on identical shoes (supplied by Thursday Boot Company) with the polishes of their choice provided by SSIA members.
The Shine Off was sponsored by Meltonian, Soletech/Tarrago and Moneysworth & Best.
Martin Sugg Takes Top Honors in SSIA's Pimp that Shoe Contest
Martin Sugg of Timeless Shoe Repair in Thunder Bay, ON took first place in the Shoe Service Institute of America's first Pimp that Shoe Contest. He also received the contest's People's Choice Award. The awards were presented at SSIA's 117th Annual Convention in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ.
SSIA created the Pimp that Shoe contest to show off the craftsmanship and creativity of its members. Entrants were asked to transform and men's dress shoe from top to bottom to create something unique. Judges selected Sugg's entry as the best in show. Jim McFarland, McFarland's Shoe Repair, Lakeland, FL finished second and Pablo Hadarits, Dimar Shoe Repair, Guelph, ON finished third.
Then, all entries were displayed at SSIA's 117th Annual Convention and industry members were encouraged to vote for their favorite. Sugg's entry received the most votes and, thus, the People's Choice Award.
The Pimp that Shoe contest was sponsored by Vibram.
Why Repair Your Shoes? Check Out These Videos from SSIA
Click here to visit SSIA's YouTube channel and see all of the videos.
Congrats to 2023 Silver Cup Winners
The Latest News from SSIA
Promotional Materials for SSIA Members
SSIA has designed posters and complementary promotional materials based on the theme, "Shoe Repair, It's More than You Think!" Click here to take a look.
SSIA Apparel
T-shirts and hoodies and coffee mugs, oh my. Click here to order your SSIA swag.
Shoe Repair in the News
Need background for an article about our industry? Contact media@ssia.info.