Critical Issues to Be Addressed at Material World in Miami Beach
Apparel and textile companies coping with the current economic downturn may find some answers to the critical questions of the day at the Material World & Technology Solutions show, set for April 21–23 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Fla.
The show—made up of textile producers, sourcing representatives and technology executives from leading companies—is now in its 10th year. Since last year’s show, the global marketplace has dramatically been altered by growth issues in Asia; the collapse of money markets; and regulations such as the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and 10+2, which have put compliance burdens on importers and manufacturers.
That’s even more reason to attend the show, said show manager Tim von Gal.
“We’re seeing lots of [manufacturing] activity coming into the region, moving productivity closer to home,” he said, adding that there will be ample representation from Latin America, including factory reps from Colombia and Guatemala, as well as from India and Pakistan.
CPSIA, which requires manufacturers to monitor lead content in consumer products, will be discussed during an April 22 workshop presented by the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). Sourcing guru David Birnbaum will also be part of an extensive education schedule, lecturing on how to do well in the current downturn on April 21. IBM’s Guy Blissette on April 22 will headline Technology Solutions’ main educational event, giving case studies of how small and large apparel companies are creating smarter systems, processes and fashion products. IBM executives will also discuss the systems and processes that enable collaboration within the supply chain as a means to change the way apparel and fashion goods are developed and manufactured, as well as raise the bar for supply-chain visibility and customer-delivery performance.
The AAFA will be joined by the directors of other retail, manufacturing and textile organizations during a keynote conference on April 21 addressing solutions to economic, trade, environmental and social issues affecting their groups.
On the trade show floor, visitors will find six new focus categories to help them navigate the show: fabric and trim, sourcing, equipment, eco, performance, and delivery.
Key areas of interest will likely be eco, active and denim. Trend group Stylesight will cover denim trends for Spring/Summer 2010 during a presentation on April 22. Stylesight and Pantone will also sponsor trend pavilions at the show.
IT and equipment resources will make up the exhibitor list in the Technology Solutions expo featuring products from leading vendors. PLM software that manages pre-production and sourcing is among the in-demand products. Vendors such as OptiTex will also be on hand, providing designers insight into 3-D and made-to-measure systems. Swimwear designer Lori Coulter, an OptiTex client, will discuss making virtual swimwear during an April 21 workshop.
“We will have a targeted direction,” von Gal said. “We are the show for anyone in the supply-chain side of fashion. Everybody’s evaluating expenses right now, and they better be at the right events, and we are among those.”
Von Gal said pre-registration is surprisingly strong, close to last year’s levels. For more information visit www.material-world.com.
