ATSC 2018 sets record with 6000 registered attendees

30 Aug '18

3 min read

Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada (ATSC) 2018, a leading fair for apparel, textile, fashion, and fabric manufacturers, has set new record with 6000 registered attendees from 20 countries. The event was held from August 20 to 22, 2018, in Toronto, Canada. The show size was doubled from 2017 to occupy more than 120,000 square feet and more than 500 booths.

Day one of ATSC celebrated the thriving Canadian retail sector as more than 1,300 attendees heard from Bob Kirke, executive director, Canadian Apparel Federation and Julia K. Hughes, President, US Fashion Industry Association.

The conference, which brought together international ambassadors, consul generals, and high commissioners from China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ukraine, Indonesia, Guatemala, and Mexico, confirmed Canada’s vibrant retail sector is thriving due to the country’s trade policies, LDC recognitions, and free trade agreements and ambitions. Attendees included sourcing executives from Canada’s leading retailers and brands such as Giant Tiger, Walmart Canada, Gildan, Moose Knuckles, Joe Fresh, and Simons, according to a press release.

Top level VIPs representing Canada’s major global trading partners reaffirmed their commitment to fuelling strong trade relations with Canadians, including Chinese Ambassador Lu Shaye Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada; Wu Zhengping, director general foreign trade development bureau, China Ministry of Commerce People’s Republic of China; Sun Jiwen, minister counsellor, economic and commercial counsellor’s office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada; Cao Jiachang, chairman of the china chamber of commerce for import & export of textiles; Dinesh Bahtia, consulate general of India in Toronto; Mizanur Rahman, high commissioner, Bangladesh to Canada; Andrii Veselovskyi, consulate general of Ukraine in Toronto; and H.E. Tariq Azim, high commissioner for Pakistan to Canada.

A new India Pavilion of 40 exhibitors signalled a strategic directive that India is keen to compete and become a permanent part of the Canadian apparel and textile supply chain. With the support of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), India’s Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) and Wool and Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC), the pavilion showcased the latest innovations in Indian apparel, textiles and accessories.

In addition to the India pavilion, ATSC unveiled, a ‘Made in Ukraine’ showcase, displaying leading fashions from eight Ukrainian designers and manufacturers. Other new international showcases included trending displays from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Guatemala, and US.

A brand china exhibition, called Avenue ATS, was launched to introduce Canadian retailers, importers, and distributors to China’s top ten cutting-edge fashion brands and successfully forged sales and distribution deals.

A show-stopping fashion show on day two crossed borders and showcased international trends on display at ATSC. Included were fashions from the Avenue collection of brands, leading styles from Canadian designers such as Narces, Hilary Macmillan, Cindy Renee Matheu, Rock ’N Karma and KQK, Cashmere from Mongolia, and the top designs from India, Ukraine, and Pakistan. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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