Apparel and textile industry conference focuses on global trade shifts
by CMO Staff
Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada covers such topics as customs, imports and exports, investment opportunities, and industry trends and forecasts
Toronto – As Canada’s international trade scenario continues to waver, thousands of local and global representatives from the apparel and textile industry will convene in Toronto August 19-21 to hear Canadian trade policy updates and future market outlooks, as well as the latest industry developments.
Hosted at the Toronto International Centre, the Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada (ATSC) show will present a leading roster of speakers covering such topics as customs, imports and exports, investment opportunities for apparel brands and retailers, shifts in the North American apparel retail trade, compliance, sustainability, industry trends and forecasts, latest digital and lean manufacturing technologies, and the future of fashion.
Highlights of the ATSC conference sessions — which take place on the show floor alongside 500 exhibits of the latest in apparel and textile products and services from more than 20 countries — include:
Canadian Trade Shifts and Policy Updates
The Canadian trade ecosystem is changing quickly and Bob Kirke, Executive Director of the Canadian Apparel Federation and Julie Hughes, President of the DC-based United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), will provide updates on directions in Canadian importing and exporting, new sourcing opportunities, and the latest shifts in the North American retail trade policy that are affecting Canadian fashion brands, retailers and manufacturers.
Global Sourcing: Where Is The Next China?
Leading global apparel industry expert Jeff Streader, Managing Director of Go Global Retail, will discuss China’s changing role in the international sourcing landscape, and how the realignment of the global supply chain is affecting Canadian sourcing directions and opening new partner opportunities.
Expanding Sourcing Horizons to India
India has emerged as a premier sourcing destination and panelists Ayoosh Jain, Assistant Director of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Mahesh Sanil, Executive Director of the Wool and Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC) will reveal India’s new strategic direction, reinforcing its position as a leading player in the Canadian apparel and textile supply chain.
Next Frontier for Canadian Sourcing: Africa, Turkey and Latin America
Hear from a team of panelists – including trade offices and leading industry players such as Agnes Gifty Adjei-Sam, Director of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority and Antonio Ramos, Trade Advisor of Peru in Toronto – about emerging sourcing markets in Africa, Turkey and Latin America and why an increasing number of Canadian businesses are forming global trading partnerships with these countries.
Canadian Fashion Trend Forecast 2020-2021
Top style forecaster Cynthia Florek, Founder of The Trend Office, will unveil up-and-coming fashion and design trends, providing a glimpse of what consumers can expect from apparel brands and retailers next year and beyond.
Spotlight on Sustainability in Fashion
Sustainability is one of the most talked about topics in the apparel and textile industry today. As one of the world’s largest and quickly-growing consumer industries, the fashion industry is taking bold steps towards integrating sustainable business practices. Avedis Seferian, President and CEO of Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), will examine the importance of sustainability in today’s apparel world and share the necessary steps companies need to take to comply with laws, policies, regulations and industry standards.
In a separate panel, Katherine Stein, Director of Business Development at SGS, and Gabriella Smith, Founder of the UpCycle Project, will highlight how brands, retailers, designers and product developers are increasingly incorporating sustainable practices into their business models to minimize waste, screen vendors to ensure supply chains are compliant with international standards, and reduce costs.
Building Brands in an Oversaturated Market
Top industry experts, such as Sal Khokhar, CEO of Kollective Moda and Analucia Beltran, Brand Ambassador for Korite Jewelry, will share valuable tips on topics including launching a successful brand in today’s global market, the importance of building locally before growing globally, and how to build a stand-out brand with authentic content that resonates with consumers.
Choosing Suppliers: A Panel Discussion
Roger Lamoureux, Director, Fashion Merchandising of Today’s Shopping Choice and Pamela Bokser, Director Softgoods Direct Imports of Giant Tiger will guide the audience on best practices in choosing factories and brands to work with, taking into account sustainability in the supplier evaluation and decision-making matrix.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Growth
In a panel session, Pamela Shainhouse, President of The Shainhouse Group fashion specialists and Jody Steinhauer, President of Bargains Group, will differentiate between a good company and a good brand, reinforcing the importance of corporate social responsibility and diversity to a company’s growth.
Using Social Media to Build a Fashion Business
Social media expert Christine Daal, CEO & Founder of The Fashion Consulting Agency, Fashion Angel Warrior LLC will share trade secrets to convert website traffic into customers, unveiling 12 key digital marketing strategies to target the right customers, drive online sales and build a successful, thriving business.
Trade Partnerships with Developing Countries
An increasing number of Canadians are creating sustainable trade partnerships with developing countries. Steve Tipman, Executive Director of TFO Canada – the expert in trade for developing countries and primary Canadian point of contact for emerging businesses exporting to Canada – will unveil new partnership opportunities and developments with his organization’s work.
Dozens of other high-profile officials – including Cao Jiachang, Chairman of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textile and Apparel, and Mizanur Rahman, High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Canada – will also be on hand to discuss new opportunities for trade with their countries.
Presented free of charge, the interactive educational sessions are expected to draw more than 6,000 local, national and international visitors who will attend ATSC to learn, source new innovations, and make connections with sourcing partners globally.
In addition to the show’s exhibits and conference sessions, ATSC will deliver a world-class fashion show, representing local and international designers, up-and-coming student talent and global fashions presented by show exhibitors.
For more show details and a complete conference schedule, please visit www.appareltextilesourcing.com.
Trade show Dates
ATS Canada (Toronto) — August 19-21, 2019
ATS Canada (Montreal) — August 23, 2019
ATS Germany (Berlin) — September 11-13, 2019
ATS Miami — May 2020
