Material World Looks Ahead

Sewn products industry event offers an array of products and services.By Jim Borneman, Editor In Chief, Textile World

Material World Review
By Jim Borneman,Editor In Chief,Textile World

Material World Looks AheadEvent for the sewn products industry offered a comprehensive array of products and services.The Fall 2003 edition of Material World, an event of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), held last October in Miami Beach, Fla., was the focal point for the garment sourcing supply chain. Visitors saw the latest in products, met suppliers and took advantage of networking opportunities. This edition of the show, however, also set the stage for change. The Spring 2004 show, to be held May 18-20, will take on special importance with the co-location of the Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA) Expo 2004, as well as the second edition of Technology Solutions — an information technology event jointly owned and produced by SPESA, AAFA and Urban Expositions, owner and producer of Material World. The Fall 2003 Material World — the fifth edition of the show — saw a 12-percent increase in attendance over the Fall 2002 event. In addition to offering educational programs, the show aspires to be a true full-package sourcing, fabric and fashion information event. This edition’s 373 exhibiting companies presented a broad array of products including fabric, trim and yarn; educational institutions; contractors; manufacturers; technology (CAD, PDM, Webenabled solutions); full-package providers; services such as freight forwarding, financial, and color/trend forecasting; associations; and more.“This was our most successful edition to date, and we were especially pleased with the increase in high-level retail traffic and attendance from other key top decision-makers from the industry,” said Tim von Gal, executive vice president, Urban Expositions. New Generation Computing demonstrated its technology solutions.“Material World has really reached its stride as a complete destination for the sewn products industry,” remarked Kevin M. Burke, president and CEO, AAFA. Mount Vernon Mills displayed its Career Wear line. Left to right: Tom H. DePuit, Bob Fudge and John Paleczny, Thermopatch Corp.The organizers state that, in addition to Material World’s exclusive alliance with AAFA, the show enjoys the support and endorsement of the American Apparel Producers Network (AAPNetwork), the National Textile Association, the Textile Distributors Association, the American Yarn Spinners Association, and the Office of Textiles and Apparel of the U.S. Department of Commerce, among others. The eWarna sales team promoted its "color engine," an on-line color collaboration that links color solutions via the Internet.The May 2004 event, promoted as “Three Great Events Under One Roof,” promises to extend value to exhibitors and attendees. “Recognizing that the sewn products industry has changed dramatically over the past few years, SPESA and Urban Expositions believe that the industry is best served if visitors can see all the major components of the sewn products industry in one place, at one time,” von Gal said. Organizers and sponsors of Material World, SPESA Expo and Technology Solutions gathered to explain and promote the co-location of the 2004 events.“While each exhibition will retain its own identity and deliver its own message, the co-location of SPESA Expo and Material World will provide the attendee a seamless opportunity to visit both shows,“ said Benton Gardner, executive vice president, SPESA.
Spring 2004