Member News
The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) is pleased to support SOURCING at MAGIC, the largest sourcing show in the United States with over 40 countries represented. USFIA President Julia K. Hughes will moderate two seminars, The Go-To Sourcing Destination: Vietnam Continues to Lure Firms, and 2050: Key Apparel Sourcing Countries – Future View, featuring several speakers from USFIA’s members and network including USFIA Premier Partner PwC, USFIA Board Member Lanier Clothes, USFIA Member Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and Dr. Sheng Lu of the University of Delaware, the author of our annual Fashion Industry Benchmarking Study. These seminars are free to anyone with a show badge for any of the UBM shows in Las Vegas.
USFIA Seminars at SOURCING at MAGIC
THE GO-TO SOURCING DESTINATION: VIETNAM CONTINUES TO LURE U.S. FIRMS
Monday, August 14, 2017 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Level 2, Room N251
Shifting global sourcing strategies affect fashion sourcing executives of all levels as they attempt to find the appropriate mix of regions, countries and product requirements. Vietnam has become a leading force in the U.S. supply chain and today’s expert panel will explore the ins and outs of their experiences working in this world-class production hub.
SPEAKERS:
- Steve DiBlasi, VP of Global Sourcing, LANIER CLOTHES
- Ron Klein, Director Retail & Consumer Management, PWC
- Dr. Sheng Lu, Assistant Professor, Department of Fashion & Apparel Studies, UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
- Avedis Seferian, President & CEO, WORLDWIDE RESPONSIBLE ACCREDITED PRODUCTION (WRAP)
- Chris Walker, Apparel Production Advisor/Author, VIETNAM GARMENT INSIDER
- Julia K. Hughes, President, UNITED STATES FASHION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (USFIA) - Moderator
2050: KEY APPAREL SOURCING COUNTRIES - FUTURE VIEW
Tuesday, August 15, 2017 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Level 2, Room N251
Constant shifts in policy, supply chain optimization, security and innovation are keeping sourcing executives on their toes. What might the future landscape of apparel sourcing look like in 2050? Join our expert speaker from PwC as he reveals the key elements of their recent sourcing report that focuses on potential strategies impacting the manufacturing of fashion.
SPEAKERS:
- Ron Klein, Director Retail & Consumer Management, PWC
- Julia K. Hughes, President, UNITED STATES FASHION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (USFIA) - Moderator
Other Seminars at SOURCING at MAGIC
SOURCING SHAKE UP: HOW TO STEER YOUR WAY THROUGH 2017 & BEYOND
Monday, August 14, 2017 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Level 2, Room N251
With the new Administration shaking up global trade policy, tax structures, and more, sourcing got a lot more complicated in 2017. What hasn’t changed is the challenges that were already on the board: converging shopping channels; the imperative for clear visibility in supply chains; complex fulfillment and distribution systems; and the pressure to get the sourcing mix right. Smart sourcing strategies will blend industry intelligence, the latest technologies and collaborative partnerships with responsible and responsive players.
SPEAKERS:
- Charles McMurray, Sr. Director of Branded Product Development and Global Sourcing, CABELA'S
- Rajiv Malik, Sr. VP of Products and Sourcing, KOHLS
- Michelle Matthews, VP/Director of Global Sourcing, Manufacturing & Supply Chain for MONARCH GROUP
- Praveen Kishorepuria, Managing Director, KURT SALMON
- Barbara Ende, President, SYCAMORE MARKETING GROUP INC. - Moderator
ROBOTS, AUTOMATION: MADE IN USA SOURCING
Tuesday, August 15, 2017 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Level 2, Room N251
For manufacturing in the U.S. to really expand requires a major change in thinking, strategy, and execution on the part of brands, retailers, and manufacturers. This dynamic presentation will address robotics, automation, new sourcing and supply chain models, the associated cost equation, and the modern model factory. Please join us to learn about these amazing technologies and innovative approaches to grow Made in the USA.
SPEAKERS:
- Will Duncan, CEO of WILL DUNCAN AND ASSOCIATES and Executive Director for SEAMS ASSOCIATION
- Dr. Mike Fralix, President/CEO of [TC]2 and Technology Evangelist for SOFTWEAR AUTOMATION
- Barbara Ende, President, SYCAMORE MARKETING GROUP INC. - Moderator
YOU CAN’T SEE TOMORROW WITH YESTERDAY’S EYES. NEW TALENT REQUIRED FOR THE CHANGING RETAIL LANDSCAPE
Tuesday, August 15, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Buyer’s Suite at The Collective Show, Aisle 33000 (Near Booth 33052)
A panel regarding the latest skills required in the new retail world order and how to recruit, train and retain this talent. Discussing the challenges, solutions and efforts to capitalize on these opportunities.
SPEAKER:
- Sam Archibald, Omni DMM of Men’s Tailored Clothing, Furnishings and Shoes, MACY'S
- Dan Dahl, VP Sales Specialty Wholesale, LEVI STRAUSS & CO.
- Lisa Marie Ringus, Executive Vice President Global Sales and Business Development, 24 SEVEN TALENT
- David Katz, Chief Marketing Officer & Executive Vice President, RANDA ACCESSORIES - Moderator
USFIA Members & Affiliates at SOURCING at MAGIC
The Colombian Government Trade Office invites you to visit the Colombia Pavilion at the Las Vegas Convention Center North Hall, from August 13-16, 2017. This year, meet 14 top companies manufacturing sportswear, casualwear, shapewear, lingerie, swimwear, footwear, and accessories. PROCOLOMBIA will also host exclusive guided tours of the pavilion, led by a Colombian government trade specialist who will provide detailed information on how to take advantage of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, logistics, and more. For more information visit www.procolombia.co/en or contact Sebastian Echavarria, PROCOLOMBIA's Textiles & Apparel Representative for the West Coast, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Last week, we released our fourth annual Fashion Industry Benchmarking Study, conducted in conjunction with Dr. Sheng Lu of the University of Delaware. While the majority of executives are optimistic about the five-year outlook for the fashion industry, the percentage fell from 92.3 percent in 2016 to 71.0 percent in 2017—a record low since we began conducting the study in 2014. This decline could be explained by the rise of new challenges for the industry—specifically, the “protectionist trade policy agenda in the United States,” which executives rank as their top challenge this year, up from being ranked the #10 challenge last year. Click here to download the study and get more insights.
In the News
USFIA Washington Counsel David Spooner’s testimony at the U.S. Trade Representative’s hearing on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was picked up by national, international, and trade publications including Apparel, Fibre2Fashion, Fox Business, International Trade Today, just-style, and Sourcing Journal. Our benchmarking study has likewise been covered in many outlets, with a focus on the growing concern about trade protectionism as well as the waning interest in Bangladesh. Click here to read more.
In case you missed it…
July 6: USFIA and Kelley Drye hosted a webinar on the EU-Canada Free Trade Agreement.
July 11: Several USFIA member companies joined us on Capitol Hill for a lobby day, in which we talked about the benefits of imports with offices including U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), as well as the House Ways & Means Committee.
July 12: USFIA hosted our annual Washington Trade Symposium, featuring speakers from U.S. Customs & Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Senate Finance Committee, and USFIA legal counsel and partners.
July 13: The USFIA Board of Directors met in Washington, D.C., and elected two new Board members, Melissa Nelson of SanMar Corporation and Laurie Sutandar of JCPenney. We look forward to working with the entire Board on a successful second half of 2017.
July 26: USFIA and USFIA’s Sustainability Partner BSI hosted a webinar on developing a robust responsible sourcing program.
July 27: USFIA and Crowell & Moring hosted a webinar on key IP Supreme Court decisions for apparel companies.
Calendar of Events
August 13-16 (Las Vegas, NV): USFIA will host two seminars at SOURCING at MAGIC.
November 14 (New York, NY): USFIA and USFIA’s Premier Partner PwC will host a pre-conference educational and networking event.
November 15 (New York, NY): USFIA and the American Import Shippers Association (AISA) will host the 29th Apparel Importers Trade & Transportation Conference at Tribeca Rooftop. Registration is now open at www.importersapparelconference.com!
November 16 (New York, NY): The USFIA Board of Directors will meet.
During the USFIA Washington Trade Symposium, we launched an important new initiative, the USFIA Social Compliance & Sustainability Committee. Whether your company has a mature social and environmental responsibility program, or whether you’re just starting to consider how you can allocate your resources and be more sustainable, our committee will provide meaningful tools and an accessible network to help you to share ideas and take your program “beyond auditing” to the next level, no matter your time constraints or budget. Click here to read more and access our new resources.
USFIA Board Member company American Eagle Outfitters announced this week that it has partnered with the It Gets Better Project, a non-profit organization that works to uplift and empower LGBTQ youth around the world. The partnership is part of AEO’s support for Pride 2017, and will include limited-edition AEO Pride Collection including tees, tanks, boxers, briefs, and accessories with 100 percent of sales benefitting the non-profit.
“The It Gets Better Project’s number one priority is to uplift and empower LGBTQ youth around the world,” said Brian Wenke, Executive Director of the It Gets Better Project. “Partnering with American Eagle Outfitters on their #WeAllCan campaign will help amplify our efforts to reach LGBTQ youth in their everyday lives. Together, we will ensure that younger generations know they are not alone and that everyone deserves love and acceptance.”
Chad Kessler, American Eagle Outfitters Global Brand President, shares the same enthusiasm for the campaign: “We are so proud to launch this partnership with It Gets Better Project. Not only does our partnership help raise awareness and funds for It Gets Better, but it also aims to create and inspire change to make life better for LGBTQ youth.”
During June, AEO will introduce several social media opportunities for customers and associates to celebrate Pride and support the initiative; check out the hashtag #WeAllCan to see videos and photos of AEO customers and associates signaling their support for empowerment and individuality.
AEO will also participate in Pride celebrations in Pittsburgh, the location of AEO’s headquarters, and New York City, as well as support the New Voices Filmmaker Grant, which will be awarded to a young, emerging LGBTQ filmmaker during the NYC Pride’s OutCinema on June 19th.
For more information on the initiative, read the blog post from It Gets Better’s Wenke on the AEO website. Click here to shop the AEO Pride collection through June 30th.
