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Second Annual Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami Boasts Record Numbers

Second Annual Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami Boasts Record Numbers

This year’s Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami kicked off on Tuesday, drawing in more than 1,200 visitors for opening day and setting record attendance for the fashion-focused trade show.

This year’s ATSM combined the elements of economic development and the latest in trade policies while educating attendees on strategies for fashion brands, retailers, and manufacturers in the unpredictable trade environment.

More than 3,500 visitors were projected for day two of the event, which featured 200 international apparel and textile exhibits. Day two’s features included the event’s Fashion Day which consisted of both established and new names in the fashion industry specific to the South Florida region.

The feature fashion show took the spotlight on day two, featuring the latest looks in knits from Renee Ruiz, Julian Chang, Luis Aponte and Viviana Gabeiras; sportswear by Lucky in Love and Peace, Love, World; swimwear by Bianca Coletti; menswear by Cubavera; evening wear by Mayda Cisneros; and bridal designs by Maria D’Ocon.

A special “Invest in Florida” panel showcased incentives and business growth opportunities in the region, inviting a multitude of companies to consider Florida for establishing and expanding operations. Keynote speakers included Michael Finney, President of the Miami‐Dade Beacon Council, Alice E. Ancona, Director, International Strategy & Policy for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and Matthew R. Rocco, President of the South Florida Manufacturers Association.

The three-day international event took place at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center and proved to be another huge success for domestic and international textile and economic development players. The education offered at the event ultimately helps companies identify predictive trends impacting the textile supply chain through 30+ seminars showcasing industry trends, trade strategies, and the latest and greatest in the fashion sector.

Source: Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami

Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami Unveils Top Speaker Line-Up

Amidst Changing Global Trade Landscape, Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami Show Unveils Top Speaker Line-Up to Boost International Trade Success for Fashion Industry Players in Florida, Southern U.S. and Latin America.

The show gets underway May 28-30 at the Mana Wynwood Conference Center, coinciding with Miami Fashion Week to bring to the Magic City more than 10,000 fashion industry representatives for a first-hand discovery of new developments and insights in the apparel and textile market — from concept to consumer.

“With the U.S. in the midst of a shifting trade environment, ATSM has put together the most comprehensive sourcing seminars, expert panels and Q&A segments to arm representatives across all segments of the industry — brands, retailers, e-commerce sellers, designers, importers and buying offices — with the knowledge, tools and practical solutions they need to address current industry issues and navigate through the rapidly-transforming sourcing ecosystem,” said Jason Prescott, CEO of JP Communications, producer of the show and publisher of North America’s leading of B2B trade platforms TopTenWholesale.com and Manufacturer.com.

Highlights of the ATSM educational sessions — which take place on the show floor alongside 300 exhibits of the latest in apparel and textile products and services from more than 15 countries — include:

U.S. Trade Policy Update

U.S. trade policy is changing quickly and Julie Hughes, President of the DC-based United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) — which works to facilitate global trade for U.S.-based brands, retailers, importers and wholesalers doing business internationally — will provide an update on the latest developments in global trade, tariff and non-tariff barriers, and new sourcing opportunities.

Imports, Exports and Customs: All You Need to Know for 2019 and Beyond

Navigating through the complex supply chain and other complicated issues associated with trade present a challenge for businesses, small and large. Learn from international trade and legal expert Laura Siegel Rabinowitz, Special Counsel of national law firm Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, about all you need to know to ensure compliance with current trade laws and policies surrounding imports, exports and customs, and reduce duty exposure.

New Investment Opportunities

Tap into an unprecedented number of investment opportunities available to Florida apparel brands, retailers and businesses — from local to international sources. Speakers include Manuel A. Mencia, Sr. Vice President – International Trade and Development of Enterprise Florida, as well as representatives from The Investment Association of China (IAC), who will provide details as part of the first Asia-US-Latin America Investment Summit on the group’s vision to invest in local opportunities in Miami and Fort Lauderdale in the areas of logistics, ports, commercial/residential real estate, infrastructure and technology. IAC, the authority of the Chinese investment industry, regulated by the National Development and Reform Commission of the Peoples’ Republic of China, has injected billions of dollars into different economies worldwide across numerous industries since the inception of China’s One Belt, One Road global trade initiative.

What’s Next in Fashion Color Trends

Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, will unveil global color authority Pantone Color Institute’s fashion color trend forecast for Autumn/Winter 2020-2021. Be among the first to see how next year’s colors and beyond will be reflective of color as an oasis and how they will be incorporated into fashion.

Stream for Designers on Growing a Successful Business

Launching and growing a successful business today is a challenge for both expert and novice designers alike, especially with limited budgets. What’s the best way to launch or scale a brand — online, direct to consumer, crowd sourcing sites or wholesale? Mercedes R. Gonzalez, Founder and Director of Manhattan-based Global Purchasing Companies, specialists in fashion strategy and brand development, will reveal valuable tips on everything designers needs to know about breaking through the clutter and launching a successful collection. Design industry expert Anna Livermore, Founder of Chicago-based V. Mora, who has helped launch hundreds of designers’ careers over the last decade, will share top mistakes designers make and how to avoid them.

Latest Developments in Manufacturing Technology

With technology evolving at a rapid pace, discover the many advances in technology use and how it can speed up product development and the manufacturing process, including pattern design, creating technical packs, 3D scanning, grading, marking and cutting. Learn from experts such as Ram Sareen Head Coach and Founder of California-based fashion tech firm Tukatech on how technology can help your company save time and money in meeting manufacturing demands, and Shahrooz Kohan, CEO of California-based fashion ERP software provider AIMS360 on the benefits of integrating apparel value chain technologies into your business.

Sustainable Fashion: How to Adapt Your Business to Conform 

In the wake of the United Nations’ launch of the “UN Alliance on Sustainable Fashion,” a panel of top industry experts will discuss the implications for apparel businesses, and provide guidance on how companies can launch, convert and grow their sustainable operations.

Responsible Sourcing and Your Bottom Line

Avedis Seferian, President and CEO of Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), will examine why responsible sourcing is more important than ever in today’s world of instant communication, what companies need to do in order to ensure business continuity and stay competitive, and how responsible sourcing impacts the bottom line.

Presented free of charge, the interactive educational sessions are expected to draw more than 4,000 local, national and international visitors who will attend ATSM to learn, source new innovations, and make connections with sourcing partners globally.

In addition to the show’s exhibits and conference sessions, ATSM will deliver a world-class fashion show, representing local and international designers, up-and-coming student talent and global fashions presented by show exhibitors.

For more show details and a complete conference schedule, please visit www.appareltextilesourcing.com.

Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami: What to Expect

Join leading fabric suppliers, full package manufacturers, and service providers during this year’s Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami event from May 28-30 at the Mana Wynwood Conference Center. With more than 4,000 anticipated visitors, the two-day event will be packed with all things fashion with more than 300 exhibitors from over 15 countries.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to catch a first-hand glance at the fashion color trend forecast for Autumn/Winter 2020-2021 on the show floor as PANTONE Color Institute reveals what’s to come.

“The concept of nesting is fundamental to our very existence. Whether a place of safety, somewhere in our mind’s eye, a collection of people, or not a destination at all, our desire to create a nesting place is deep,” said
Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute and ATSM speaker. “As we color our nest in Autumn/Winter 2020/21, color resounds; rich saturated shades sit alongside strong modern pastels and muted natural color, with texture, reflection and shine acting as integral partners in the way colors are seen and executed.”

At the center stage of the event, a Latin American delegation of apparel and textile producers will seek “near sourcing” opportunities in response to the 15 percent growth rate reported in 2018 for Guatemala.

“With recent geo-political tension and technology changing the global production landscape, an increasing number of companies are looking to Latin America as a viable solution to source apparel and textiles without going overseas. Guatemala alone has seen an explosion of business as a result”, said Lucia Palacios, Director of VESTEX Guatemala.

“Guatemala’s industry saw 15 percent growth in 2018, which means more work is coming to this region, as we can compete with closeness, production flexibility with added value, high productivity and an integrated supply chain,” stated Palacios. “There is an increased market demand for speed of delivery and high-quality products, and Guatemala is able to deliver on all fronts due to its short lead times, access to two ports and use of raw materials mainly from the USA.”

To read more about this year’s Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami event, please visit: ATSM

 

 

From Fashion Textiles to Money Laundering

The owners of Los Angeles-based import and export textiles company, Pacific Eurotex, were sentenced to federal prison time and hefty liabilities on December 18, 2018 for their involvement with laundering money related to international drug cartels, according to a release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Formally known as the “Black Market Peso Exchange” scheme, it’s known as one of the primary strategies drug cartels use to gather proceeds resulting from illicit drugs in the United States. The strategy mechanism enables drug traffickers to eventually convert proceeds into another form of currency through internationally shipped goods.

Brothers Morad and Hersel Neman (CEO and CFO) pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns in addition to other IRS and defrauding-related crimes. Both were sentenced to more than a year in federal prison with six months of home confinement thereafter. Additionally,  Morad “Ben” Neman is jointly liable with the company to forfeit $3,178,230 million to the government while CFO Hersel Neman is liable for approximately $370,000. The company faces three years of probation and a $400,000 fine.

According to court documents the textiles company, “Received, laundered and structured approximately $370,000 in bulk cash delivered on four separate occasions over 2½ months in 2013 by an undercover agent posing as a money courier.”

The arrests originally occurred in 2014 after a Fashion District investigation using the “Black Market Peso Exchange” tactic resulted in law enforcement seizing over $100 million in laundered drug money.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement