2026 Annual Conference

May 11 -13, 2026 
Marriott Harbor Beach Resort 
Ft Lauderdale, FL

More than 150 industry leaders representing over 100 companies and 15 countries gathered in Fort Lauderdale for the 2026 AAPN Annual Conference. Whether you joined us in person or not, I wanted to share a few highlights and key takeaways from the event, along with a look at what's next for the network.

This year's conference brought together manufacturers, mills, brands, retailers, technology providers, logistics partners, service providers, government organizations, and industry associations from across the Western Hemisphere. The conversations focused on many of the issues shaping our industry's future, including tariffs and trade policy, artificial intelligence, digital product creation, sustainability, circularity, workforce development, investment, and sourcing strategy.

While the topics varied, one message came through loud and clear: the challenges and opportunities ahead are too big for any one company to tackle alone.

That is exactly why AAPN exists.

One of the most encouraging developments this year was the participation of approximately 40 first-time attendees, along with our strongest brand and retailer presence since before the pandemic. New voices, new perspectives, and new relationships continue to strengthen the network and reinforce the importance of bringing together all 30 links of the supply chain. We still have work to do!

Throughout the conference, speakers and panelists explored several critical themes shaping the future of our industry:

Rather than focusing solely on challenges, the conversation repeatedly shifted toward solutions, collaboration, and action. The energy throughout the conference was reflected in the feedback we received from attendees.

First-time attendee Juan Carlos Sconfianza Espina of Varosco shared:

"Honestly, the whole experience exceeded my expectations. We made some really great connections, but like I mentioned before, I truly feel this is only the beginning."

Industry veteran Tricia Carey of Avalo echoed a sentiment we heard throughout the week:

"The energy and spirit you're cultivating in the group is real and refreshing. The mix of content and networking hit just right, but what I appreciated most was the openness. The directness around how we can actually help each other is exactly the kind of conversation this industry needs more of."

Comments like these reinforce what makes AAPN different: meaningful conversations, practical connections, and a community focused on helping one another succeed.

If you're looking for a recap of the conference, Devin Steele definitely captured it better than I ever could in his coverage for eTextile Communications. He somehow managed to distill two days of presentations, discussions, networking, and fun into a single article:

eTextile Communications newsletter linked here.

Conference Photo Album: Take a look back at the conversations and moments from Fort Lauderdale (photo credit: Devin Steele)

2026 AAPN Annual Conference

A special thank you to our speakers, moderators, sponsors, and attendees who contributed their time, expertise, and energy to make this year's conference such a success. (For more details: ie. agenda, speaker bios and attendee list, click on this link AAPN Annual Conference Registration Page)

Thank you as well to Jill Coleman and Tony Anzovino for serving as our emcees and helping keep the conversations moving, the audience engaged, and the energy high throughout the event.

And behind the scenes, none of this happens without an incredible team effort. A huge thank you to Holly, Shari, and Jane for helping bring the conference to life.

Finally, thank you to our sponsors for their continued support of AAPN and the Western Hemisphere textile and apparel industry. Your partnership helps make these conversations, connections, and opportunities possible.