October 31, 2011
Contact: Samantha Sault, 202-419-9474, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For Immediate Release
USA-ITA and AISA to Host 23rd Annual Conference for Textile and Apparel Importers
Confirmed Speakers Include Officials from U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Plus Hill Leadership & Staff
WASHINGTON - The United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) and the American Import Shippers Association, Inc. (AISA) will host the 23rd Annual Textile and Apparel Importer Trade and Transportation Conference on Tuesday, November 8th, in New York City. This year, the conference will feature top Obama Administration officials, Congressional leaders, USA-ITA and AISA leadership and counsel, and industry executives discussing transportation, sourcing, supply-chain logistics, and the recently passed trade legislation, among other topics.
The confirmed Administration speakers include: Kim Glas, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles and Apparel at the U.S. Department of Commerce; John Leonard, Director of Textile Enforcement at U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Gail Strickler, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Textiles at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The confirmed Capitol Hill speakers include: U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Paul DeLaney, International Trade Counsel for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee; and Brock McCleary, Deputy Political Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).
“Between the recent passage of the Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, Panama, and Korea, to the numerous rounds of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, it has been a dynamic year for trade and transportation policy,” says Julia K. Hughes, President of USA-ITA. “As we approach the upcoming election year, it is critical for our member companies to remain up-to-date on policy decisions and the political changes that affect the textile and apparel importing community.” Hughes will introduce and moderate the day’s discussions along with Hubert Wiesenmaier, Executive Director of AISA.
The event will bring together several hundred professionals in trade, sourcing, compliance, and logistics at Bridgewaters South Street Seaport, 11 Fulton Market Building, New York. The conference will also feature an exhibition hall showcasing leading supply-chain providers. For more information, including additional speakers and sponsors, please visit http://www.usaita.com/annual-conference.
For more information or to schedule an interview opportunity with one of our speakers, please contact Samantha Sault, USA-ITA Director of Communications.
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The United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) was established in January 1989 by nine companies with a vision to create a unified voice for textile and apparel importers across the country. USA-ITA provides education, information, and advocacy to executives active in textile and apparel sourcing, importing, compliance, and logistics. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA-ITA represents the needs of American retailers, brands and importers, as well as related service providers, with the objective to remove barriers to business and to trade.
