T
he 2011 edition of the well-known Apparel Sourcing Show will take place Tuesday through
Thursday, March 22-24, at the Grand Tikal Futura Hotel Convention Center in Guatemala City,
Guatemala.
The show is held annually and is considered to be the most important textile and apparel fair
produced in the Central America, Caribbean and U.S. region, especially for the countries served by
the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).
Other countries, including Mexico, Colombia and Panama, also will participate in this year’s
event, which will be its 20th edition, and which is organized and hosted by the Guatemalan Textile
and Apparel Industry Commission (VESTEX). The show also is endorsed by the United States
Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel.
Guatemala City at dusk
VESTEX reports the Apparel Sourcing Show is the only fair that gathers the entire range
of CAFTA-DR textile and apparel manufacturers and service providers under a single roof. Last
year’s event drew more than 4,000 participants from 11 countries. Business transactions conducted
during the show had a total value of more than $200 million.
This year’s show, presented under the theme, “The Right Time, The Right Place for Sourcing
Today!” will reunite the key participants in the CAFTA-DR apparel supply chain at one venue to
present the dynamics of an industry that is committed to being a speed-to-market and high-quality
fashion garment provider.
The Apparel Sourcing Show has grown each year by 30 precent in terms of exhibition area, in
order to offer more companies the opportunity to integrate their full-package programs, as well as
to allow increased participation by machinery manufacturers and technology providers.
Other participants will include manufacturers of textile materials, embroidery, trims,
accessories and fabrics.
Industry Recovery
The focus of this year’s show will be the recovery of the regional textile and apparel
industries. According to show organizers, dynamic growth in the CAFTA-DR countries is creating
exciting new business opportunities in that sector.
New customers are taking advantage of the CAFTA-DR region’s close proximity to the U.S.
market, which offers trade preferences to exporters of products made in the region. On the other
hand, former customers hit by the downturn are returning to the region, with its booming economic
activity.
VESTEX notes the countries of the CAFTA-DR region have a well-deserved reputation for
flexibility in volume production and also designs. That flexibility, the commission says, offers
the ideal solution for today’s market demands.
Dr. José Rafael Espada, vice president of Guatemala, inspects goods shown at the 2010 edition
of the Apparel Sourcing Show.
Opportunities
During the Apparel Sourcing Show 2011, both exhibitors and visitors will be be able to avail
themselves of the following advantages and opportunities:
- Survey the huge exhibition floor showcasing products and services from hundreds of exhibitors
from the CAFTA-DR region as well as from Mexico, Colombia, and other countries. - Participate in the Leaders’ Forum, an academic program presenting executives and managers, and
focusing on sustainability. - Catch up on the latest industry developments and know-how from leading experts and government
officials. - Tour and visit regional plants to find the perfect production site for the elaboration of
textile and apparel products.
At the Apparel Sourcing Show 2011, the countries of the CAFTA-DR region will offer numerous
opportunities to visitors in search of the latest advancements in the fields of trims, fabrics,
assembly operations, and full-package solutions.
For more information about Apparel Sourcing Show 2011, contact
apparelexpo@apparel.com.gt.
January/February 2011
