California Apparel News

Politics, PLM and color trends lead the topics of discussion for a busy seminar schedule at the Material World show April 8–10 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The headliner events will feature Matt Priest, deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, leading a pre-event panel discussion on trade policies and strategies for the Western Hemisphere from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on April 7, followed by a reception.

Panelists will include representatives from leading manufacturers, industry associations and government organizations and will address supply change and logistics strategies and challenges.

Kevin Burke, president and chief executive officer of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, will moderate a headliner breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on April 8, which will address politics and trade and how the two mix in an election year. Panelists are Don Baum, senior vice president of global manufacturing for Polo Ralph Lauren Corp.; Ken Duberstein, chief executive officer of The Duberstein Group; Rick Helfenbein, president of Luen Thai USA; Tom Travis, managing partner, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.; and Bob Moore, chief executive officer of Prime Tanning.

Some events are free, but others have an admission cost. Visit www.material-world.com for more information.

—Robert McAllister

April 8

10:15–11:15 a.m. “Functional Textiles as a Strategic Tool,” presented by the Taiwan Textile Federation10:45–11:30 a.m. “PLM: The Opportunities, Challenges and Lessons Learned,” presented by Barbara Sorkin, CIO, International Textile Group; Jerry O’Connor, chief executive officer of Nokona Baseball Factory; and Michael Blitstein, vice president of design and product development, S. Rothchild. Rick Ludolph, president, Productive Solutions LLC, is the moderator.11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. “An Effective Approach for Assuring Yarn and Fiber Quality,” presented by Alvin Ellison and Raul Thomas of Uster Technologies Ltd.11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. “Why Work Flow?” presented by Mark Mandrano and John Holt of Just One Place12:45–1:30 p.m. “A Competitive Advantage in the Extended Supply Chain,” presented by TradeCard12:45–1:45 p.m. “Eco Think! What it Means to Be Green Today,” presented by Fabric Link and Textile Intelligence1:45–2:30 p.m. “Redefining PLM,” presented by Enovia MatrixOne2–3 p.m. “Apparel Trend Forecast Spring/Summer 2009,” presented by Jenna Caccavo of Cotton Inc.2:45–3:30 p.m. “Speed, Visibility and Execution With Integrated PLM, Global Sourcing and ERP Systems,” presented by Alan Brook and Fred Isenberg of New Generation Computing3:15–4:15 p.m. “Sourcing Solutions for Small Manufacturers,” presented by consultant Susan Power

April 9

9:45–10:45 a.m. “Supplier Relationship Management: Profiting Through Improved Supplier Collaboration,” case studies presented by TradeCard Inc., Partex Apparel and NGC11–11:45 a.m. “Blue Cherry,” presented by Consumer Generated Solutions11 a.m.–noon. “Spring/Summer 2009 Trends,” presented by Promostylnoon–12:45 p.m. “PLM for Retail, Footwear and Apparel,” presented by PTC12:15–1:15 p.m. “Fabric Development That Give ’US’ An Edge,” presented by the AAFA and Charles Gilbert of Charles S. Gilbert Associates Inc.1–1:45 p.m. “What’s Keeping the CEO Awake at Night?” presented by Lawson Software1–1:45 p.m. “Key Points for Childrenswear Trends,” presented by Promostyl2:45–3:45 p.m. “Women’s Color and Trend Forecast,” presented by Stylesight3–3:45 p.m. “Business Management Systems,” presented by Adikus Sulpizi4–5 p.m. “Speed With Margin Is Meaningless,” presented by the American Apparel Producers’ Network