AAFA Proposes Alliance With Material World

As part of its ongoing mission to promote and enhance business opportunities for its members, the
American ApparelandFootwear Association (AAFA) has announced its intention to form an alliance with
Material World, the international full-package and sourcing event for the sewn products industries
held in Miami Beach, FL. As part of the proposed alliance, the AAFA will market Material World,
promoting the exhibition and its extensive exhibitor base, educational programming and full-package
sourcing opportunities, to both its branded apparel members, as well as its supplier members. The
AAFA will also have a prominent booth at the upcoming edition of Material World, October 7-9, 2002,
at the Miami Beach Convention Center. “As the President of the trade association for the apparel
industry, we are delighted to be partnering with the only supplier trade show in the United States
held specifically for the apparel industry. We are encouraging all of our supplier members to
exhibit in this event, and our sourcing managers to give it their full support,” says Kevin Burke,
President and CEO of AAFA. “We’ve been eager to work with the AAFA since we launched Material World
in 2000, and look forward to the partnership with such an important national industry association,”
says Tim von Gal, Executive Vice President, Urban Expositions, producers of Material World. “The
AAFA represents the dominant fabric purchasers and apparel importers in the United States, and
virtually all of these companies are seeking new learning and sourcing opportunities. As the most
important global full-package sourcing event in the Americas, Material World and the AAFA share
common goals and we look forward to working together to enhance the business opportunities for all
members of the industry.” “As chairman of the AAFA, I am delighted to be supporting our proposed
alliance with Material World. Our supplier members – whether they provide materials, equipment or
computer systems – need a place to show their wares to their major customers in the Americas. The
fact that our new International Network of Sourcing Executives has fully endorsed AAFA’s
relationship with Material World means that they will be there, looking for new and better ways to
do business and for new sourcing opportunities,” adds Paul R. Charron AAFA Chairman and Chairman
and CEO of Liz Claiborne, Inc.The American ApparelandFootwear Association (AAFA) is the national
trade association representing apparel, footwear, and other sewn products companies, and their
suppliers, which compete in the global market. AAFA’s mission is to promote and enhance its
members’ competitiveness, productivity and profitability in the global market by minimizing
regulatory, commercial, political, and trade restraints. For more information visit
www.apparelandfootwear.org”There is no doubt that a show of this type must take place in the U.S. –
exposing our members to the latest developments and innovations in materials and systems, and with
the added component of available contractors in the Americas,” says Fawn Evenson, Vice President,
Global Business and Services, AAFA. “This is the show that AAFA’s members have been calling for.”
Material World is the international full-package and sourcing event for the sewn products
industries in the Americas. Material World is strategically located in Miami to take advantage of
its position as an international trading hub and the U.S. gateway to Latin America, and
headquarters of Caribbean, Central American and Mexican commerce. In addition to its attractive
location for exhibitors and attendees from throughout the United States, Miami naturally draws
traffic from all over Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and many of the
largest sourcing operations in the United States are located in Miami. Material World is open to
the entire sewn products chain, and participants include fabric, trim, fiber, components, equipment
suppliers, supply chain management systems – from design to delivery — full-package providers,
contractors/manufacturers, publications, services (freight forwarders, financial, color/trend
forecasting), associations and others.The Material World Miami Beach attendee audience will include
key decision-makers from throughout North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, including:
CEOs, presidents, general managers, manufacturing vice presidents, sourcing executives, product
development executives, designers, purchasing agents, marketing executives, branded apparel
companies and retailers, including mail order, private label and e-business, importers and
others.In addition to a comprehensive roster of educational programs, networking events, product,
packaging and sourcing opportunities, Material World Miami Beach will showcase a number of trend
pavilions highlighting the color, product and technological elements expected to make a splash in
Autumn/Winter 2003/2004.

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