Urban Expositions Cancels Material World Shows

November 03, 2009

Thanks to those of you sending us this just-announced news of the closing of Material World. Actually, we were trusted with this news several weeks ago. It was not a hasty decision by Tim von Gal and his amazing team at Urban Expositions.

In truth, thinking of Tim here, he owns a number of other non-apparel-industry trade shows – and (MY opinion only) none of them featured the political intrigue, challenged margins, reluctant attendance and inexplicable royalties of this particular show. All of his other skillfully managed shows are highly attended, fun, focused, profitable, stress-free and highlights of the year for their respective target markets.

Tim has been a trusted friend, a valued advisor and a rock of calm and insight since we were the first apparel industry organization to endorse Material World, attending our first show September 11, 2001. You can guess how THAT trip turned out – just like yours wherever you were.

We are delighted to announce we signed a contract today for a luxurious hotel at negotiated low rates for our AAPN Annual Meeting May 2-4, 2010.........in Miami Beach. That’s what we’re going to do – fill the Miami date so many of us have to come to expect with a new format and mission-critical content, such as the outcome of our ‘risk assessment’ sourcing executive roundtable in two weeks in New York.

Carlos Arias of Denimatrix put it best when he wrote us recently, “Actually, for me the attraction (of Material World) was the AAPN Reception.........let's go back to basics, to the roots of AAPN, an annual meeting of the core members of AAPN plus special guests. Those initial meetings of the AAPN created lasting friendships that continue to this day.”

That’s it then. Back to basics, back to business and back to Miami Beach.

Tags: trade show , material world , Miami , networking

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An AAPN Member Report from Outdoor Retailer Show

July 30, 2009

From Don Cilley, Carmel Creative Knits:

This was the first time in over a year that I have been at a show that was - ALIVE! Across the board, both brands and retailers have pulled themselves back into a shell – no inventory risks, no new product risks! Last week the word was that people are ready to get moving again – the market sees real optimism for the 2011 lines. Product development people are focused on new opportunities and getting the product right for a consumer they expect will be there.

Carmel Creative Knits has been promoting RECYCLED COTTON and ECO fibers for the past two years – last week one of those Billion Dollar Majors came up to me and said “I have had your fabric on my desk for the past year – we need to talk.” I had given up on them! I hadn’t tried to set up a meeting with them prior to the show. The interest in GREEN is still out there and coming back. RECYCLED is finally gaining interest over organic.

The “Storm Fleece” was also a major hit. Think of the hoodie sweatshirt you have in your closet – but this one is water resistant. It is an improvement on an basic item that everyone loves to wear, but now with functionality!

We are beginning to see the light at the end of a long dark tunnel. Between now and then – hold on and stay in the game!

Tags: americas , fabric , networking

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