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Conventional Wisdom
Attending THA’s 103rd Annual Convention Made Smart Sense for Attendees      By Karen Koza

As an old New York Lottery commercial urged likely bettors in a native tone, “You gotta be in it to win it”, the audience understood the need to be ever-present.

But what do you say many miles away in Hot Springs, VA, particularly after THA’s 103rd Annual Convention, “Walking on Common Ground and Delivering Value to Our Membership” this past April?

“You should have been there, y’all!”

Walking on common ground – and among savvy and inspiring experts in many fields – and delivering value – in an endless number of ways - was more than just a theme, but a reality and attendees certainly reaped the rewards.

“I believe that the strength of our association is reflected in the fact that we are able to get world class leaders to educate our membership and keep us abreast and ahead of what’s going on in the world,” says Monty Milner, CEO and President of Hope Hosiery Mills of Denver, PA. Milner should know. As Program Planning Committee Chairman, he crafted a cutting edge program that both engaged and educated the membership.

“THA has access to guest speakers that allow our membership to stay competitive,” adds Gildan’s Bill Nichol and outgoing THA Chairman. “THA President Sally Kay and her staff do a terrific job of bringing timely and relevant topics to the table with smart and interesting speakers who deliver value and insight to our membership.”

Topics of interest to the THA membership addressed at the convention included:

• Legislative and regulatory issues
• Government insights
• Eco-friendliness
• Political insights

A testament to THA’s considerable strength in convention planning is the absolute turn-key recommendations by speakers offering immediate bottom-line impact. “I learned in just one session how my company can start going green and that is not information that is readily available in any other forum,“ adds Milner. “It was a presentation that was tailor made for companies in our industry and we were able to go back to work and immediately implement these suggestions.”

“The industry has changed so much and THA needs to change to stay in line with our membership,” offers Cathy Allen of Crescent Hosiery Mills and THA’s Chairperson. “That means that we need to stay in line with globalization and serve as a resource for our members when they are seeking answers.”

Globalization is a key issue affecting the membership, as Nichol attests. “We are definitely interested in growing our membership and that means that we would like to grow our international membership base while reinforcing our foundation of domestic members.”

Embracing the new while remaining true to tradition is a cornerstone in THA’s future and an issue that Cathy Allen is quick to recognize. She sees many areas of growth and goals for the association under her leadership which meet these needs, including a commitment:

• To enhance member services via:
        o Webinars
        o Romulus updates (government issues dealing with the industry)

• To re-establish THA as the go-to organization for all legwear issues
        o In Washington
              · Active Legislative/Regulatory Committee
              · Update and distribute THA Policy Manual
        o At Retail

• To increase THA revenues via:
        o Increased membership
              · Go outside the box for new member base
              · Bring previous members back
        o An established set of fees for services
              · Members
              · Non-members

Allen’s debut as Chairman highlighted her leadership theme, “Adapting to Change”. “That’s my theme because I consider THA a survivor,” she says. “If we work together, we can really make a difference.”

According to Nichol, he is passing the baton of leadership to capable hands. “Cathy Allen is the fourth generation in a family owned company so she knows the industry,” he enthuses. “She is a great example of the talent that we have in our trade and I know that she will be a leader with great vision. She is a testament to her family, company and our industry.”

If it sounds like the industry can often the blur the lines with family, it’s more than just coincidence. According to Bill Nichol, work is a good thing but connecting with one’s peers is priceless. “At the THA Convention, you have access to great speakers, but at the end of the day, you are pleased to be spending time with others in the industry in a truly enjoyable environment. These are people you enjoy seeing time and time again and you have an annual chance to do that at the THA Convention.”

The strength of the THA certainly lies in the solidarity of its membership and Milner, Nichol and Allen were all quick to agree that a cohesive membership lends itself to a stronger industry. So stay tuned! In June, Hosiery Insider will do just that and go inside the industry in our Membership Issue. You will nbe intrigued to read and learn many things about your peers…so stay posted!