Sneaker convention in Albany kicks it up a notch

ALBANY – The Albany Capital Center was transformed into a giant closet full of sneakers Saturday, February 19.

However, these weren’t just any sneakers. They were the featured stars of the House of Kicks Convention, the largest convention of sneakers in Upstate New York.

The event featured over 140 vendors selling over $2 million worth of the athletic footwear.

Capital Region natives Ryan Larkin and his brother Zac Gamello founded the convention. It’s the fourth one they’ve held at the Center in eight months.

Larkin says it all began when he and his brother began selling sneakers as teens. Since then, their passion for the footwear has grown into a business that’s so successful, they say they plan to take the show on the road – travelling to different venues across the country.