Apparel Textile Sourcing Trade Shows officially announces the addition of Apparel Textile Sourcing Virtual as their fourth trade show on the 2020 calendar. The new event will take place from May 25 to 29, 2020. In a time when many event companies are cancelling, ATS is expanding and innovating to meet the needs of their market.
The virtual event is a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ATS strategic response was to move the Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami (ATSM) physical trade show from May 27-29 to November 11-13, and add the ATS-Virtual trade show from May 25-29. The May event evolution to ATS-Virtual will now expand the audience reach to include global attendees from the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Australia, and more.
“The global pandemic demands business industry solidarity, speed, and a response,” said Jason Prescott, CEO of JPC Inc. and producer of ATS Trade Shows. “We first surveyed thousands of buyers and sellers and over 90% conveyed an eagerness to attend virtually. Then we engaged our B2B trade platforms – TopTenWholesale.com and Manufacturer.com. We used these same large B2B platforms to launch the ATS brand in 2016. Finally, we are subsidizing manufacturers from hard-hit regions to significantly lower their booth costs. We are here to support our community.”
International and domestic manufacturers will be able to interact with attendees live, via voice chat, WeChat or text. All attendees will also receive online links, catalogues, certifications, and further information electronically.
ATS-Virtual will feature apparel and textile manufacturers’ interactive booths stocked full of ready-to-order apparel, textiles, home textiles and fashion accessories featuring:
• Men’s, Women’s & Children’s
• Denim, Linen, Knits, Synthetics, Fibers & Blends
• Formal, Active, Leisure & Intimates
• Leather, Footwear & Hardware
The Apparel Textile Sourcing brand is built on connecting buyers and sellers and on providing top-level content, seminars, and sessions to benefit attendees. ATS-Virtual will expand this philosophy by featuring live seminars from industry leaders focusing on the global supply chain perspective and shelter/rebound business strategies in the wake of the pandemic.
Featured ATS-Virtual speaker Avedis Sefarian, CEO of Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), the U.S.-based non-profit social compliance organization with the largest independent facility certification program in the world said “Now is definitely the time to introduce a virtual solution to Apparel Textile Sourcing Trade Shows. We are excited to participate and advocate. I look forward to it.”
Desi Jordanoff, International Trade Administration / U.S. Department of Commerce Global Team Leader for Textiles, Apparel, & Sporting, said: “It would be a good idea to be on the forefront of this development; people are able to purchase everything online without going to the brick and mortar stores. I don’t see why the companies can’t go this route.”
Invited attendees will include:
• 5,000+ currently registered attendees for ATS-Miami 2020
• 3,000+ currently registered attendees for ATS-Canada 2020
• 12,000+ previous registered attendees from ATS-Miami 2018-19
• 21,000+ previous registered attendees from ATS-Canada 2016-2019
• 1,000,000+ buyers and brands on TopTenWholesale.com
• 1,250,000+ buyers and brands on Manufacturer.com
The first 30,000 attendees will have immediate access. The virtual event is spread out over five days to provide easy navigation. Matchmaking professionals from TopTenWholesale.com and Manufacturer.com will be available to help connect any buyers and sellers. All seminars will be recorded and available. Categories will be clearly defined and the manufacturers will be waiting to answer any questions or fill any requests.
“We know digital works,” Prescott said. “Virtual will take time getting used to, especially for overseas producers to buy into the concept, but it’s here to stay. Touch, texture and relationships will never go away, but virtual is the natural evolution.”
Apparel Textile Sourcing tradeshows are supported in coordination with a range of international and domestic partnerships, including the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textile and Apparel (CCCT), TopTenWholesale.com, Manufacturer.com, the Bangladesh High Commission, The Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh, Trade Development Authority Pakistan, India Exhibitions, PromPeru, Pro Colombia, ProNicaragua, Proesa, VESTEX, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production, TESTEX, Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Canadian Apparel Federation, Canadian Merchandiser, Apparel Export Promotion Council, and The Sourcing Journal.
