Bobbin Postponed Until 2004
A rift between the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) trade group and the producer of the Bobbin technology trade shows has resulted in litigation as well as an apparent cancellation of this year’s Bobbin Americas show.
In a letter sent to AAFA members last week, president Kevin M. Burke blamed Bobbin producer VNU Expositions for forcing financial constraints on the organization by allegedly backing out of its contract with it and failing to pay past dues of $400,000. The Arlington, Va.-based AAFA as a result has filed an injunction in Los Angeles Superior Court against VNU seeking payment and has also filed for arbitration.
The AAFA, which is the industry voice in Washington, D.C., recently terminated several employees and shuttered its New York office because of its weakened financial condition. The group relies heavily on member dues from large groups such as the New York-based VNU, and Burke said the organization “cannot sustain the same level of operations in the future in these new and very serious circumstances.”
VNU spokeswoman Deborah Patton said the company is not commenting on the matter pending resolution of court matters. In an announcement over the postponement of the Bobbin show, VNU group president Joe Randall said the company will come back with a more globally oriented show in spring 2004.
“Bobbin Americas was originally conceived as an event for the Western Hemisphere apparel industry, with emphasis on both equipment and technology. But since the show’s founding, the industry has undergone many changes, including an accelerated pace of production outsourcing and even greater reliance on new technologies to help manage global operations,” he said. “As we stepped back to examine how Bobbin Americas could best serve an evolving industry, we felt it was the opportune time to re-evaluate the show’s format, timing and deliverables—and we are continuing to seek input to that end. We remain solidly committed to the apparel and sewn-products industry.”
A VNU executive said the legal action between VNU and the AAFA is not affecting the status of the show producer’s other industry trade shows, which include the Action Sports Retailer Trade Expo and the Imprinted Sportswear Show. Another VNU source close to operations added that it is doubtful the company will put on its biannual Sewn Products Expo next year in Los Angeles. That show has been faced with dwindling attendance.
The move toward global trade shows has been in vogue lately. Pasadena, Calif.-based Cyber Merchants Exchange debuted its ASAP international sourcing show during MAGIC International in February, and Source International, an international sourcing show being produced by the former Pan American Leather Fair personnel, will bow in January in New York.
Burke said that the AAFA will be exploring other income-generating ventures. —Robert McAllister
