Scheduled to take place on 23-25 October in Philadelphia, IAF and SPESA are preparing an agenda for the World Fashion Convention which aims to deliver a fresh perspective on the challenges faced by the industry with a focus on global supply chain dynamics.
“The agenda for this year's convention will address topics currently top of mind for US suppliers, brands, and retailers, including regionalised supply chains and sourcing in the Western Hemisphere,” said Michael McDonald, president of SPESA.
At this year's World Fashion Convention in Philadelphia, leading brands, retailers, manufacturers, and solution providers will converge to address critical industry issues, notably sustainability and circularity. The convention will serve as a platform for vigorous debates and discussions on and off the stage, with the goal of identifying the best approaches and practices.
Attendees can engage in educational sessions featuring major brands and retailers primarily from the US, as well as manufacturers from countries such as Turkey, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Central America.
In addition to sustainability, the convention will explore various other essential topics, including digitalisation, transparency, consumer market development, legislation, and sourcing models that emphasise shared risk and reward.
Educational programme will consist of panel discussions, case studies, and keynote presentations. The event will commence with an address from Tom Glaser, a former executive from VF Corporation and Tapestry.
IAF President Cem Altan expressed optimism and said: “A greener, more profitable apparel industry that is able to take better care of this planet and of our people is very achievable. But it requires investments in change, in people, machines and processes. The heavy burden of these investments must be shared across the supply chain, or they won’t happen.”
