March 24, 2009 | Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) | Irvine, CA
The second annual Apparel Tech Conference West is the must-attend technology event for the West Coast apparel and retail industry.
Tech Conference West attendees will come together to hear from industry leaders about vital issues and technologies and to take advantage of outstanding peer-to-peer networking opportunities with both leading technology vendors and apparel and retail executives.
The event will feature a keynote technology presentation, technology vendor tabletop displays, up to 20 educational sessions and a networking reception. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain technology and business insights across the total supply chain, from concept to consumer, with content addressing: Design and Product Development; Manufacturing; Information Technology; Sourcing, Logistics, Transportation; and Retailing.
New for the 2009 event, Apparel magazine also will announce the winners of its 2009 Sustainability All Stars.
The 2009 Apparel Tech Conference West will take place at the Orange County Campus of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Irvine, CA.
AGENDA AT-A-GLANCE
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
9:30 am - 10:00 am
Registration and Table Tops Open
10:00 - 11:00 am
Technology Keynote & Presentation of Apparel's Sustainability All Stars
Keynote Presentation
Technologies in Support of a Sustainable Supply Chain
Dr. Mike Fralix
President and CEO, [TC]2
Achieving a sustainable apparel supply chain isn't only about doing good for the economy or flying a "green" flag for consumers. Long after "green," "environmental," and "eco-friendly" become overused and abused terms, "sustainability" will continue to be with us.
Sustainability incorporates far more than the environment and is the umbrella under which all business and social activities will be measured. There are many enablers for sustainability that are not often considered -- one such enabler being technology.
Why shouldn't apparel products and accessories be developed and sold without ever making physical samples? What if you could apply color to yarn or fabric within two weeks of its arrival at retail? Why not use personal avatars to provide consumer feedback in lieu of traditional focus group meetings? With the appropriate technology, these concepts will become common practice.
Many apparel retailers, brands and manufacturers are taking proactive steps to reduce their carbon footprints in an effort to save money and resources and create new operational efficiencies. This highly relevant Apparel Tech Conference West Keynote will help executives explore and understand how such technologies as digital dressing, virtual communities, waterless dyeing and 3D printing will play an important role in the movement toward a sustainable supply chain for the fashion industry.
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
4 Concurrent Education Sessions
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 - 1:30 pm
4 Concurrent Education Sessions
2:00 - 2:30 pm
4 Concurrent Education Sessions
3:00 - 3:30 pm
4 Concurrent Education Sessions
4:00 - 4:30 pm
4 Concurrent Education Sessions
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Networking Reception
