“For more than ten years, AAFA has stood as the primary advocacy and education organization for the apparel and footwear industry in Washington, D.C.,” said AAFA Board of Directors Chairman Rick Darling, Vice-Chairman of LF USA and LF Europe.  “In a time marked by an uncertain political climate and uncertain economic outlook, this new strategic plan represents an ambitious, comprehensive, and forward-thinking approach to the ever-widening issues confronting the industry.”

“As an industry leader, I count on AAFA to mitigate political risks and regulatory challenges for my company,” said AAFA Board of Directors Vice Chairman and Strategic Plan Steering Committee Chairman Philip Williamson, Chairman, President and CEO of Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company.  “The industry faces more challenges today that threaten our success.  This strategic plan offers a clear plan of attack for AAFA in promoting the apparel and footwear industry in the global market.”

“As AAFA begins the next three years of achieving progress for the industry, our continued success will be marked by our ability to maintain our sterling reputation, strengthen our voice, and remain relevant to our members,” said AAFA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke.  “Our new strategic plan and mission statement provides for an ambitious approach to achieving AAFA’s primary goal of creating opportunities and overcoming challenges for the U.S. apparel and footwear industry, like reducing barriers to trade, protecting intellectual property, and protecting the Berry Amendment for domestic manufacturers.”

We Wear Our Mission

Representing more than 1,000 world famous name brands, the AAFA is the trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry, its management and shareholders, its four million U.S. workers, and its contribution of $350 billion in annual U.S. retail sales.

In 2011, AAFA began the challenge of better positioning the organization in support of the evolving needs of its members.  AAFA launched the "We Wear" brand identity in an attempt to change the conversation in Washington about an industry that thrives and creates jobs because of imports.

AAFA spent the last year overhauling its organizational priorities to better fit the “We Wear” brand and to more effectively meet tomorrow's business challenges.   AAFA's new strategic plan puts into place forward-looking priorities that will amplify AAFA's political voice, foster collaboration on a global scale, and grow AAFA's membership base.