Posted March 17, 2015

 

Got a minute? You’re probably tweaking your NCAA brackets, but I was hoping you’d take a moment to open your ears and eyes. Hear that? That’s the sound of birds chirping. And do you see those buds on the trees, ready to burst with color at any moment?

 

Once again, it looks like we’re going to make it. Spring is just around the corner – not that we’ve had enough energy lately to notice. We’re just getting our Daylight Savings Time legs after a grueling week and a half. Just a month or so ago, we were dealing with record cold temperatures and a wintry mess, around these parts anyway. Now, we’re heating up just nicely, thank you.

 

So, as you take a break from bracketology, let’s check out what’s happening in the U.S. textile industry as springtime beckons. Next week, an East Coast tripleheader is slated when three associations – the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) and the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) – convene their biggest gatherings of the year. And, unfortunately for the likes of me, all three are booked virtually on top of each other, making it difficult to “call the action” in Washington, D.C., Charleston, S.C. and Savannah, Ga., simultaneously. But through the magic of correspondents and the digital age, eTC plans to cover all three events, either in person or spirit. (I’m currently checking Dick Vitale’s availability for one of those meetings, if he’s ready to be a textile P.T.P’er.)

 

Similar to this month, April is shaping up as lean on the front end and a sprint from the middle to end. Follow the bouncing ball: The scurrying starts on April 16 when the Synthetic Yarn and Fiber Association (SYFA) kicks off its “Futures in Textiles” spring conference in Charlotte. From there, the action moves to Atlanta April 20-21 for the International Society of Industrial Fabric Manufacturers (ISIFM) spring meeting. The march returns to the Carolinas two days later when the National Association for the Sewn Products Industry (SEAMS) commences its spring conference in Asheville, N.C. Then, the zigzag – over to Greensboro, N.C. for the Southern Textile Association’s (STA’s) Northern Division meeting, then back to Asheville for the Georgia Association of Manufacturers annual meeting.

 

Now, I know only a handful of folks who plan to attend the lion’s share of these events. But don’t fret – eTC plans to cover each of these functions, in some form or fashion. The learning and networking opportunities are invaluable, and I think you’ll be interested in our reviews of these gatherings. Being “on the ground” at various get-togethers is a key differentiator for eTC, and has been since Day 1. I hope you appreciate the coverage and the insights we bring.

 

I’ll be sure to wear sneakers.