Sourcing at MAGIC, August 2013
PRIME REAL ESTATE
Sourcing at MAGIC: New Venue, 1,100 Exhibitors
Sourcing at MAGIC kicked off its four-day show a day early on Aug. 18 at a new location in the Las Vegas Convention Center: the North Hall.
The new space gave the show room to expand with 1,100 exhibitors showcasing fabric, yarn, trim and services, as well as factories, technology, home décor and footwear.
A small group of made-in-America resources were strategically located at the main entrance to the show.
The prime real estate—and the prominent American-flag print wrapping the booth—helped draw visitors to the Trend Chasers booth.
“We had a great day on the first day,” company representative Randa Allen said. “Already, 10 people say they’re coming to tour the factory—from all over the country.”
A division of Los Angeles–based XCVI, Trend Chasers provides manufacturing services—from design development and pre-production to full-package production.
In addition to the company’s own services, Allen and Trend Chasers colleague Deborah Kirkland were also providing references for other organizations and factories.
“We totally share,” Allen said, explaining that she will refer visitors to Fashion Business Inc., About Sources or companies that were not exhibiting at the show. If companies are just starting out, they might not be ready for Trend Chasers’ capacity. “Sometimes when they’re too small, they get lost in the shuffle,” Allen said. “The last thing our company wants to do is disappoint anyone. They come back when they’re bigger.”
Allen and Kirkland said they were disappointed that there weren’t more U.S. resources showing at Sourcing.
“The only way to grow America is if we all start working together,” Allen said.
The two were discussing plans to take more space at a future show.
“We want to be in a large space and bring our vendors—fabric suppliers, people who are domestic, deliver well, [whose] quality is good,” she said. “We want to do manufacturing A to Z.”
Although representatives from PVH stopped by Buhler Quality Yarns' booth, the turnout was predominantly designers and small start-ups from across the western U.S.
“Yesterday was a great day,” said Victor Almeda, textile engineer, sales, customer support for the Georgia-based yarn spinner. “But we still haven’t see many of the larger retailers.”
Buhler Vice President of Sales David Sasso concurred, saying, “This show [draws] a lot of designers—very once in a while, big retailers.”
Still, the two said the show provides an important chance to share new ideas and look for new opportunities.
“It’s important for U.S. manufacturers to keep their edge with new technologies,” Sasso said.
