TRADE SHOWS
Sourcing at MAGIC Adds More American Sourcing Exhibitors, Services
Manufacturers, retailers and designers looking to source in America—or in the Western Hemisphere—will have more resources at the upcoming Aug. 18–21 run of Sourcing at MAGIC in Las Vegas.
Once again, the U.S. Department of Commerce will partner with the trade show giant for the Americas Pavilion, which will feature 150 companies from the U.S., Mexico, and Central and South America, including Peru and Colombia, that will increase their presence at the show, said Karalynn Sprouse, vice president of MAGIC, Sourcing at MAGIC/Sourcing@WSA.
Resources will include contract manufacturers, original design manufacturers, and suppliers of fabrics and components.
“We are continuing to see demand from many U.S. brands and retailers for products ‘Made in the USA’ and for sourcing in the Western Hemisphere,” said Kim Glas, deputy assistant secretary for textiles and apparel. “We are pleased to say that the number of manufacturing facilities in operation within the United States continues to grow. In addition, our Western Hemisphere partners continue to build their expertise, making it a perfect fit for fast-fashion retailers and brands.”
In addition to returning exhibitors—including American Apparel, Trend Chasers and Brooks Brothers—the show will feature new exhibitorMaker’s Row, an online marketplace for American manufacturing and small businesses looking to produce domestically.
“They will be a great resource partner with their established business members, and, by equal importance, they are inspiring the next generation of American businesses to think domestic first and will be showcasing their services at Sourcing at MAGIC in August,” Sprouse said.
Sprouse said she is expecting 1,600 apparel and footwear resources at the show, which will be co-located with Sourcing & WSA for the first time.
“We’re focused on what the buyers are looking for,” Sprouse said, adding that the co-location of Sourcing@WSA and Sourcing at MAGIC means a 40 percent increase in footwear resources at the show. The new Home section launched last season for buyers looking for home textiles and décor.
In August, the show will also feature a Global Artisan Showcase, featuring gifts and handicrafts available for sale in small quantities.
And in addition to the Americas Pavilion, this year’s focus country is India, which will feature more than 150 resources for apparel, footwear, accessories and home textiles, Sprouse said.
For the first time, Sourcing at MAGIC will launch a special invitation-only seminar series called Executive Suite. Among the seminar topics is retailing in China, “which, of course, everyone is talking about,” Sprouse said.
Sponsored by Price Waterhouse Coopers and presented by Damon Paling, the “Retailing in China” seminar will address issues such as “benchmarking your cross-border supply-chain efficiency” and the regulatory outlook for China.
The NPD Group’s Marshal Cohen will also present a seminar on globalism and consumer behavior. And the Otto Group will present a seminar for brands looking to expand internationally in markets such as Russia and the European Union.
On Aug. 19, Apparel magazine will present its seventh annual summit at MAGIC, which will address issues such as sourcing best practices and supply-chain technology.
Last season, Sourcing at MAGIC launched a mobile app as an added tool to the show’s matchmaking and personal concierge service. Attendees using the app can search exhibitors by product or country and plan their visit in advance, as well as follow up after the show.
For more information, visit www.magiconline.com.
