The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) is pleased to present the
2023 Washington Trade Symposium
Join USFIA in Washington DC to talk about the key issues and politics affecting the fashion industry. From forced labor enforcement to textile policy to the future of the China 301 tariffs, don't miss this opportunity to hear insights and solutions, and meet with key DC policy-makers.
Join USFIA tohear from insidersnetworkexpand your knowledgethis July in DC!
What to Expect
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
All Symposium attendees are invited to join us for an evening cocktail reception hosted by Barnes & Thornburg LLP from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
The Main Event: USFIA Washington Trade Symposium
Don't miss out on your chance to join USFIA and hear:
- Updates on the political outlook
- Up to the minute information about forced labor compliance and enforcement
- The latest in trade textile policy
- The future of the U.S.-China relationship
- Trade facts and sourcing trends for the fashion industry
This is a great opportunity for new staff to get a quick policy overview and network with the decision-makers at other companies.
We also offer discounts for multiple attendees from the same company. Please email sgauzens@usfashionindustry.com to inquire about a multi-attendee discount.
We listened to you! This year's Washington Trade Symposium will be a hybrid event. Tickets are available for both virtual and in-person attendance.
Speakers
Laurie-Ann Agama
Acting Assistant USTR for Textiles,
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

Jennifer Knight
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles, Consumer Goods, and Materials
Industry and Analysis

Knight leads the work of TCGM to advance the global competitiveness of the U.S. textile and manufacturing industries through the development and execution of international trade and investment policies and promotion strategies.
Through her strategic vision, passionate leadership, and management skills Knight combines her unique understanding of the traditional textile industry with her proven experience in manufacturing and e-commerce to achieve success.
Her previous experience includes leading startups, family-owned, and private equity-owned companies through growth, turnarounds, and ownership transitions as a former C-suite executive. She was previously the president and COO of American Woolen Company and a partner at Newport Board Group, a national professional services firm that provides executive level and Board of Directors advisory services to emerging growth companies. Knight was also founder and president of GetawayStyle, an e-commerce site offering content and product recommendations of Made in the USA, eco-friendly home furnishings to second and retirement homeowners.
Prior to that, Knight spent almost 15 years in the U.S. textile industry leading several companies through growth and turnaround situations. She has navigated challenges in the domestic manufacturing industry and international markets, including setting up operations in Central America and China.
She received a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Women’s Studies from Brown University and earned a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University. Outside of work, she is an avid gardener and hiker along with her wife, Chiqui Cartagena, who is a well-known expert on the U.S. Hispanic market.
Dr. Sheng Lu
Associate Professor in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies
University of Delaware
Dr. Sheng Lu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware. He also serves as a consultant for the International Trade Centre (ITC) co-run by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN). With over 70 publications in academic and trade journals, Dr. Lu’s research focuses on the economic and business aspects of the textile and apparel industry, including international trade, trade policy, and the governance of the global apparel value chain. Dr. Lu received the 2014 Rising Star Award and 2019 Mid-Career Excellence Award from the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) to recognize his research and teaching excellence. He is also the multiple-time recipient of the Paper of Distinction Award at the ITAA annual conferences for his study on the textile and apparel specific-sectoral impact of mega free trade agreements. Several of his studies were cited by government reports such as the Congressional Research Service (CRS) studies prepared for members of U.S. Congress, U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) official assessment on the economic impacts of free trade agreements as well as the World Bank, International Labor Organization, and the United Nations research publications. Dr. Lu’s published works also have been translated into Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Thai and regularly featured by the media outlet.
Scott McCandless
Principal, WNTS Tax Policy Services

Scott McCandless is a principal in PwC’s Tax Policy Services (TPS) practice within the Washington National Tax Services practice. Prior to re-joining PwC in 2014, Scott served as Tax Counsel to Congressman Tim Griffin, a Member of the U.S House of Representatives, Committee on Ways & Means. Scott advised Congressman Griffin on a wide range of tax and trade matters including tax reform proposals.
Previously, Scott spent 2011 and 2012 serving as Tax Counsel to U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe, Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. Senator Snowe was one of the senior Members of the Senate Finance Committee and Scott handled the Senator's broad portfolio of tax and trade issues.
Prior to joining Senator Snowe, Scott was a director in PwC’s Washington National Tax Services practice where he provided strategic advice as well as legislative, executive branch, and regulatory representation for domestic and international clients of PwC on a broad spectrum of issues including taxation and international trade, with a focus on energy tax policy. Scott has authored several articles published in Tax Notes regarding the energy tax titles in recent legislation and on broader energy policy.
John Pellegrini
Customs Consultant
U.S. Fashion Industry Association (USFIA)
Until January 2020, Mr. Pellegrini, who is no longer a member of the bar, was Senior Counsel at McGuireWoods LLP where his clients included multinationals, general merchandise retailers, importers, exporters, domestic and foreign manufacturers, commission agents, trade associations, and international marketing companies. Mr. Pellegrini’s practice focused on the regulatory and commercial aspects of international trade. He provided assistance with respect to government regulation of the import-export trade, duty planning, admissibility requirements, litigation in the United States Court of International Trade, representation before the various federal agencies that regulate trade in the United States, and the commercial aspects of international trade.
Avedis H. Seferian
President & CEO
Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP)
Avedis H. Seferian joined WRAP in 2004 and became its President and CEO in 2012. He has extensive knowledge of social responsibility issues within the highly complex worldwide supply chains of the apparel, textile and footwear sectors. A recognized expert in the area of social compliance and responsible sourcing, Mr. Seferian was named by Assent Compliance as one of the Top 100 Corporate Social Responsibility Influence Leaders for 2020. He often speaks on topics in this field at different forums around the world and has contributed to many leading trade publications and news outlets. Mr. Seferian is the Chairman of the Executive Board (and a member of the Stakeholder Board) of the Association of Professional Social Compliance Auditors (APSCA) and sits on the Impartiality Committees of several audit organizations; he also served on the Board of Advisors of the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety.
Mr. Seferian began his career working for a business research and development organization before migrating over to legal research. Prior to joining WRAP, he was with a small law firm in Washington, DC. Mr. Seferian has also taught in various capacities in the business and legal arenas, including as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland University College. He speaks five languages, has lived in four countries and holds three degrees from three continents - a Bachelor’s in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University in India; an MBA from the American University of Armenia; and a Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center in the United States, where he was a Law Fellow and made the Dean’s List.
Mr. Seferian is a member of the American Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar. He resides in Fairfax, Virginia with his wife and their 2 sons.
David Spooner
USFIA Washington Counsel
Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Erin Williamson
Senior Director of Customs Brokerage Product
GEODIS USA
Erin
Our Sponsors & Partners
There are many sponsorship opportunities to increase your company's visibility at USFIA's Washington Trade Symposium. Contact Stephanie Gauzens, sgauzens@usfashionindustry.com, to discuss details or confirm your
sponsorship.
2023 USFIA Partners