Material World New York (MWNY) will return to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
in New York City September 25-27 for three days of exhibits and educational programs related to
fabric and trim, sourcing, technology and trends for the sewn products industry.
Event organizers Urban Expositions, Atlanta, and Arlington, Va.-based American
Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) expect 400 companies from 38 countries to show their
products and services. At least 14 special pavilions will display the offerings of specific
countries and regions in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
MWNY’s Trend Pavilion will spotlight apparel and home furnishings fabric, trim and
color trends for Autumn/Winter 2008. A matchmaking service, Ultimate Sourcing Solution: Global
MatchMaking @ Material World New York, will help attendees locate sourcing opportunities to meet
their needs.
Show organizers do not publish expected visitor numbers, but, said Tim von Gal,
president, Material World, “we’ve been blown away with how many really significant private label
retailers have signed on to participate in the matchmaking, and also to attend the show in
general.” Target and Macy’s are two retailers he mentioned.
This year’s event will highlight five key areas: Eco-Friendly; Performance; Product
Lifecycle Management (PLM); Design Technology Solutions; and Home Furnishings Fabrics. Exhibitors
engaged in these areas will display icons indicating their particular focus, and the educational
program will include seminars relating to each of these areas as well as to trends and supply chain
issues.
Seminars of special note include AAFA’s headliner event on Tuesday, September
25. “People, Planet, and Profit: Reaching for the Pinnacle of Environmental Sustainability”
will examine the environmental, social and profit aspects of sustainability as they relate to the
success of some leading companies.
On Wednesday, September 26, AAFA’s Supplier Resource Committee will present “Winning
Product Lifecycle Management [PLM] Strategies — Achieving Speed, Visibility and Control,” a look at
how PLM can help companies make their operations “cheaper, faster, better.”
On Thursday, September 27, AAFA and The Doneger Group, New
York City, will offer “Changing Trends in Trending,” led by David Wolfe, creative
director, Doneger Creative Services, who will discuss how the fashion system is adapting to the
ever-changing retail environment and consumer culture.
September/October 2007
