The Arlington, Va.-based Synthetic Yarn And Fiber Association (SYFA), a non-profit organization comprised of individuals affiliated with the synthetic yarn and fiber industry, will host its spring conference titled “USA Textiles and Technology: Moving Forward” April 3-4 at the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Charlotte.
Joe Quinn, senior director, public affairs and government relations, Walmart Stores Inc., will give the keynote presentation. Quinn currently is helping Walmart’s effort to bring manufacturing and jobs back to the United States after the company committed to spending $10 million over the next five years to fund research grants in an attempt to find solutions to complex problems facing U.S. manufacturers. Additionally, over the next 10 years, Walmart has committed to buying $250 billion worth of U.S.-made goods, and at the end of the 10-year period, expects to be spending $50 billion more each year on U.S.-made goods than it currently spends. Quinn has assisted Walmart in multiple significant company initiatives including hiring 100,000 veterans over five years, and rolling out Walmart’s $4 generic drug program. Quinn was a co-recipient of the 2007 Walmart Sam Walton Entrepreneurial Award for his work with the generic drug program.
Julie Reiser, president and cofounder of Made in USA Certified® will give a special presentation on April 3. Made in USA Certified is a third-party, independent certification company for “Made in USA,” “Product of USA” and “Service in USA” claims. Reiser promotes herself as an expert on manufacturing in the United States and has received attention from national media channels in both television and radio.
Other participants in the conference program include Stephen Foss, PurThread Technologies Inc.; Mark Cleveland, Swiftwick; Vijay Amirtharaj, Premiere Fibers Inc.; Roger C. Tutterow, Ph.D., Stetson School of Business & Economics, Mercer University; Dina Dunn, T-ChIP; Mike Hubbard, National Council of Textile Organizations; Alasdair Carmichael, PCI Fibres; and Nikki Brooks, Goulston Technologies Inc.
More information about the conference can be found at thesyfa.org.
April 1, 2014
