2023 STA Summer Marketing Forum

TEXTILES: I LOVE This Industry!

Register Now!

The Southern Textile Association is pleased to announce plans for our annual Summer Marketing Forum, being held Wednesday, August 23 at the Textile Technology Center at Gaston College, Kimbrell Campus in Belmont, NC. The Forum will start at 8:00 AM, ending with lunch around 1:30 PM. Coffee and registration begin at 7:30 AM.

A Meet & Greet will be held on Tuesday evening, August 22 at The Lodge Tavern & Tap in downtown Belmont from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. This will include drinks tickets, hor d'oeuvres – and plenty of networking!

We hope you will plan to participate – the planning committee has worked tirelessly to create a dynamic program. Please help us break last year's record of 155 registrants!

Moderator:

 
Jim Booterbaugh, Chief Executive Officer  
National Spinning Company
STA Past President

Topics and speakers: 

"Attracting The Next Generation To Your Workforce" 
Heidi Robinson, Associate Professor of Practice, Dept. of Education
Wake Forest University

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WOMEN'S POWER PANEL: "The Next Generation of Textile Leaders"

Moderator
Heidi Robinson, Associate Professor of Practice, Dept. of Education
Wake Forest University

Panelists:
Rachel Bradley, Brand Sales Manager
Unifi Manufacturing, Inc.

Jasmine Cox, Executive Director
Textile Technology Center at Gaston College

Hannah Orlowski, Product Development Engineer
Contempora Fabrics

Kaylee Smith, North American Sales Manager
Mehler Engineered Products

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"On the Economic, Business & Political Climate"
Roger Tutterow, Ph.D., Professor of Economics & Director, Econometric Center
Kennesaw State University

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"Trade & Legislative Updates"
Norman Chapman, Chairman, National Council of Textile Organizations & President & CEO, Inman Mills

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"Cautious Consumers Seek Value: Consumer & Retail Insights"
Melissa Bastos, Director of Corporate Strategy & Insights
Cotton Incorporated

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"An Entrepreneur's Creed: The Pivot to Positivity"
Megan Eddings, Founder & CEO
Accel Lifestyle

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"Reshoring Journey of an American Maker"
Kevin McCoy, Vice President, MADE
New Balance

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"Gaston College's Apprenticeship Program"
Joy Morrow, Job Developer/Coordinator of Workplace Learning & Placement
Gaston College