AAFA Sourcing Conference Set for May

The American Apparel & Footwear Association will be holding its eighth annual International Sourcing, Customs and Logistics Integration Conference May 5–7 in Miami.

The three-day event at the Gansevoort Hotel will cover key and emerging issues currently facing U.S. apparel and footwear brands and their suppliers with industry experts sharing their experiences and ideas.

The keynote speech will be given by Rick Darling, president of Li & Fung USA, part of The Li & Fung Group, the Hong Kong–based sourcing enterprise with offices around the world. Darling will highlight China’s economic growth and emergence as a world leader in international trade.

Other apparel entities that will have speakers or panelists at the conference include Anvil Knitwear, Bureau Veritas, Columbia Sportswear, Hanesbrands, Intertek, Luen Thai, Maersk Shipping, Phillips-Van Heusen, Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory, TradeCard Inc. and VF Corp.

“For the last seven years, AAFA has used this international sourcing conference to help U.S. apparel and footwear companies navigate often-complicated sourcing strategies,” said AAFA President and Chief Executive Kevin Burke. “This past year was difficult for our industry. That is why we have built this year’s theme on refocusing our efforts and moving forward as quickly as we can. We are thrilled that this year’s program is shaping up to be our best yet.”

Key agenda items will cover trade and sourcing alternatives, sustainability, product safety, customs, social compliance, and global logistics. Also attendees will be able to tour the new UPS hub for Latin America at the Miami International Airport.

For more information, contact Mary Howell at (703) 797-9045 or go to www.apparelandfootwear.org.—Deborah Belgum