After the presidential elections conclude on November 8, the US fashion industry will convene a meeting to discuss the results and likely impact on trade and transportation for the apparel supply chain. The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) and American Import Shippers Association (AISA) will host the 28th Apparel Importers Trade & Transportation Conference at the Tribeca Rooftop on November 9. This meeting would bring together several hundred executives working in compliance, logistics, sourcing, supply chain management, government relations and social responsibility, it is learnt.
Julia K Hughes, President of USFIA says this was a critical time for the fashion industry because for the first time in recent memory, both presidential candidates are calling for protectionist trade policies. The industry was eagerly awaiting passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the transportation community is trying to figure out the path forward after the Hanjin bankruptcy. All these issues will be discussed at the meeting.
Confirmed speakers include: Todd Owen, Executive Assistant Commissioner at U.S. Customs & Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations; J. Berrye Worsham, CEO of Cotton Incorporated; David Spooner of Barnes & Thornburg LLP, former Chief Textile & Apparel Negotiator at the Office of the US Trade Representative and former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration; and, executives from American Eagle Outfitters, Macy’s and Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters among others. The conference will also feature a Transportation Executive Forum, with speakers from CMA CGM Americas, Maersk Line North America, The Port of Long Beach and the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement speaking their hearts out. The United States Fashion Industry Association represents the fashion industry: textile and apparel brands, retailers, importers, and wholesalers based in the US and doing business globally.
