Atlanta-based Urban Expositions LLC and Arlington, Va.-based American Apparel & Footwear
Association (AAFA) — producer and sponsor, respectively, of the Material World trade show
presenting the fashion and style industry supply chain, technology and trends — have announced they
will present a West Coast fall edition of the event beginning in 2009. Material World West will
take place Sept. 30–Oct. 2, 2009, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, as a
counterpart to the show’s flagship spring edition in Miami Beach, Fla.; and is targeted
particularly to exhibitors and attendees from the Western United States and Pacific Rim.
Material World West will replace Material World New York, which previously has been held in
the fall in alternation with Material World Miami Beach, and which will not take place this coming
fall.
“While we were happy with the New York show, we felt we had to strongly evaluate the
geographic opportunities our show could provide to our exhibitors moving forward,” said Tim von
Gal, president, Material World.
“The industry has been encouraging us to bring Material World west for many years. California
has the most important fashion manufacturing and import base in the United States,” he added. “It
is the home of top name brands and leading designers. California’s international accessibility
lends itself to a diverse mix of participation. For those reasons and L.A.’s indisputable
reputation as a Fashion city, it is the ideal location for a fall edition of our event.”
The West Coast edition of Material World is endorsed by the Atlanta-based American Apparel
Producers’ Network, Los Angeles-based California Fashion Association, Boston-based National
Textile Association, and Washington-based National Council of Textile Organizations. Carlstadt,
N.J.-based Pantone Inc. and New York City-based Stylesight also will support the Los Angeles event
as official color authority and trend partner, respectively.
“The apparel and textiles industry is the largest manufacturing sector in L.A. County, and we
are looking forward to hosting such a popular trade show that will showcase one of our city’s most
well-known attributes,” said Mark Liberman, president and CEO, LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention
and Visitors Bureau. With an annual wholesale volume totaling $24.5 billion, the Los Angeles
industry employs a larger workforce than the industry in New York City.
May 27, 2008
