CAFTA Top Priority at Apparel Sourcing Show
The 14th annual Apparel Sourcing Show (APSS), scheduled for May 3–5 in Guatemala City, Guatemala, carries “The Americas’ Speed-to-Market Solution” tag. The sole international apparel- and textile-specialized show in the Caribbean Basin Initiative region promises to live up to that moniker with more than 250 suppliers of textiles, yarns, trimmings, services, specialized machinery and technology representing all aspects of the production supply chain. Steadily increasing growth at the event brought more than 5,000 attendees from 20 countries in 2004, 83 percent of whom came from the major Central American and Caribbean manufacturing companies.
CAFTA, the U.S.–Central American Free Trade Agreement recently approved by Guatemala’s congress, receives special attention this year, particularly in the Academic Program of seminars, conferences and workshops. Another important aspect of the show is the Matchmaking Meeting Program, which facilitates on-site appointments between Central American producers and U.S. buyers.
This edition introduces two new features on the exhibition floor. The Textiles and Trimmings Fashion Trends Area displays exhibitors’ most innovative product samples of fashion trends to come, while the Central American Countries Pavilion allows producers to showcase their capabilities in light of new opportunities presented by CAFTA. The APSS has also expanded the Machinery and Technology Area and the Institutional Pavilion, which showcases leading textile associations of the region.
As business prospects loom on the Guatemalan horizon, visitors may also want to take advantage of leisure offerings such as a Mayan Adventure at Tikal or an open golf tournament.
The Apparel Sourcing Show is organized by VESTEX, Guatemala’s Commission of the Apparel and Textile Industry. For more information, visit www.apparelexpo.com.
