Industry News
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Expansion of Trade in the North Carolina Textile
and Apparel Industry

The textile and apparel industry has undergone significant changes in recent years with much production capacity going off shore. This has particularly been true in North Carolina and surrounding states, which historically had the lion’s share of textile production. We routinely read about plant closings and job loses and most of our apparel is now made somewhere else.

However, there are a lot of exciting activities occurring in our textile and apparel industry with traditional production being replaced by high tech and valued added products. A recent study done at the College of textiles at NC State University show over 1600 companies in North Carolina directly involved in textile production while another 800 using textile products as components in other non-traditional textile/apparel products.

It is important that we know about these new and exciting events and look at our industry continuing to be important in the State. We also need to look at new and different ways to broaden the exposure and application of these new products/technologies.

International Market Solutions (IMS), in conjunction with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) would like to invite you to a one-half day conference to hear about these new and exciting areas for our industry and to discuss the benefits to North Carolina companies of getting more involved in international trade activities.

You will hear from senior executives from N.C. Companies, State Government Officials, academia and others who have taken the international trade plunge and have not only survived, but are doing very well by having taken this route. You will hear from representatives from Hong Kong who want to increase their involvement with our North Carolina companies, not only in textiles, but in other sectors. The industry is changing rapidly, but it is still here and we would all like to see it remain here and grow.

The conference will be held Wednesday afternoon, October 24th, 2007 at the Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel on Highway I 40 next to the Four Seasons Mall in Greensboro, NC. The program will begin at noon with a lunch, followed by the program. There is no charge for the event and we hope to have a good representation from across the state.

There will be limited seating, so we are asking all who plan to attend to indicate their intent by October 15. We need to know this to order the proper amount of food for lunch.

Please call Jim Leonard at (336) 454-3583 or e-mail Jim at Cece454@aol.com or call Jorman Fields at (336) 668-7060 or e-mail Jorman at TNCFields@aol.com to confirm your plans to attend. You may also call if you have questions about the event.

Program Agenda October 24, 2007
Expansion of Trade in the North Carolina Textile
and Apparel Industry

12:00 noon Welcoming Remarks:
Jorman Fields-Managing Director of International Market Solutions

12:05 Lunch

1:00 pm Overview:
Louis Ho, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (New York Office)

1:30 pm Panel I:
New Environment in the Quota Free World

Moderator: Jim Leonard- Past Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce
For Textiles and Apparel

IPR and Risk Management Issue:
Bill Harazin-Attorney/Adjunct Associate Professor

Customs Issues:
Jerry Cook-HanesBrands

New Advances in the Textile Industry:
Dean Godfrey-NCSU College of Textiles

North Carolina Advantages:
Secretary Fain-invited/Glenn Jackman

US Government:
David Spooner- Assistant Secretary of Commerce

3:00 pm Coffee Break
Business Card Exchange

3:15 pm Panel II
Experiences in China and Hong Kong

Moderator: Dr. Jim Weeks-Dean UNCG Bryan School of Business

Experience: Bill DiIanni-Director, Research and Development at Burlington Labs
Jeff Peck-ITG--formerly located in Hong Kong

Experience: Boyd Rogers-VP of VF Corporation

Experience: Knox Winget- Senior VP of Global Supply Chain Operations--A & E

Experience: Rob Culp-Chairman of Culp, Inc.

5:00--Wrap up: Jim Leonard