Posted March 25, 2015

 

This week marks the one-year anniversary of eTextileCommunications.com (eTC) – and what a year it’s been. If you were with us from the start or joined somewhere along our formative journey, I want to personally thank you. Thank you for your readership. Thank you for your advocacy. Thank you for your support. We couldn’t have made it this far without you.

 

At launch a year ago in this spot, I briefly laid out the reasons I strongly believed a U.S.-based textile news website was needed. In a nutshell: With the resurgence of the U.S. textile industry, I recognized a niche that needed filling – that is, telling the stories of the companies, news and, most importantly, the PEOPLE who make this industry tick. I think we are accomplishing that goal by providing exclusive news about companies and the faces behind their success. I hope you’ve increased your awareness of the happenings in this great industry over the last 52 weeks and consider eTC an asset in your toolbox of knowledge.

 

I also believed there was a “sense of community” void in our industry. The idea was to create a hub in cyberspace where you could drop in, quickly find out what’s going on in the industry, learn, network, connect with peers and competitors, offer feedback and share ideas. Based on your many correspondences, I know some of you are hungry for collaboration as well as customers and are finding business and connections on the site. Teaming up is one of the many reasons you survived the tough times, and we need all the togetherness we can get. Offering another vehicle of communication between you is a great way to facilitate such. The good thing about the digital platform is the opportunities it provides for multi-directional communication, where we communicate with you, you communicate with us and you communicate with each other.

 

Additionally, as I was creating a business plan and talking with many of you, I was told there wasn’t anyone “on the ground” much anymore consistently covering your companies, your groundbreaking ceremonies and other events, your conferences and meetings, your trade shows, etc. – not in the U.S., anyway. So, since being a “roving reporter” is my bailiwick, I knew I would be able to provide the coverage you once had and appreciated. I think the 50+ exclusive stories gleaned in person over the last year means this goal is being realized. And, I was told, the industry needed a “voice” – not just any voice, but a “positive” voice, which I’ve tried to be. If you’ve read much of me, you know I’m something of an evangelist when it comes to touting this industry and tooting our horn.

 

And finally, I wanted to create something new and different – something fun, compelling and engaging. I hope you’ve noticed from the look and feel of the website. eTC uses a combination of text, audio, slideshows, video and interactive forums to grab your attention and tell your stories. Oh, and the new media realm has given me terrific opportunities to get the word out about all the good things happening in the industry. I’ve used every social media tool at my disposal to keep you in the loop and let others outside the textile dominion know we’re actually a thriving, robust industry.