SOURCING at MAGIC to focus on "Made in the Americas”

Returning to the show for a second year to discuss key issues ranging from trade to manufacturing, are Obama Administration official Francisco Sanchez, Commerce Under Secretary for  International Trade, Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles and Apparel, Kim Glas, and Gail Strickler, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Textiles and Apparel.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will also be in attendance to launch a "Made in Los Angeles" Pavilion. The Pavilion will showcase Los Angeles' thriving apparel manufacturing sector--the largest manufacturing sector in the LA region. 

LA apparel manufacturers support over 48,000 jobs in an industry that generates $13 billion in revenue for the region. The City of Los Angeles has made it a top priority to keep and attract them through local policy initiatives.

"Building on the huge success we had last year, we felt it critical to return with another Americas Pavilion and Summit to highlight Made in America products," said Under Secretary Sanchez. "As the largest textile and apparel event of its kind, this forum provides American businesses with a unique opportunity to highlight Made in America products to a global audience."

"The fashion supply chain has become as important to the consumer and industry as design. Where and how products are made effects jobs, impacts the environment and influences the perception of a brand," said Tom Florio, CEO of Advanstar Fashion Group.

"Made in the Americas" will be a central theme of several key sessions of SOURCING at MAGIC's educational seminar series, including:

Made in the U.S.A. – Options and Strategies for Sourcing Apparel and Home Furnishings – With opening remarks by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa – panelists will discuss how apparel brands and retailers are re-thinking their sourcing strategies to include a broader range of products made in the USA.  Panelists from Nanette Lepore, New Balance, Brooks Brothers, Karen Kane and Francisco Sanchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Monday, August 20th.

Closer to Home: Sourcing in the Americas – Insights for apparel and footwear sourcing executives, including the advantages of pairing U.S. production with Central and South American materials, world-class operational examples and accessing duty-free trade benefits via CAFTA, NAFTA and free trade agreements with Colombia, Peru and Chile. Panelists from JC Penny and Lanier/Oxford, Monday, August 20th.