062316_Blg103_STA fab 500

That said, people ask me all the time which organization they should consider joining, and the STA is always my first recommendation. From a networking and educational standpoint, you want find a better association that meets those needs. Some of my best friends in the industry have come as a result of attending STA meetings over the years.

Congrats, STA. Reaching that fab 500 landmark is something to be proud of. And thanks for welcoming me into your fantastic family.

Posted June 23, 2016

On his way out as president of the Southern Textile Association (STA) here this week, Todd Wemyss made a big announcement that anecdotally reflects the resurgence of the U.S. textile industry. For the first time in many years, he said, the association has cracked the 500-member mark.

Now with 502 members, the association is no doubt one of the strongest in our industry. And, let me add, one of the most diverse.

And that’s quite an accomplishment – but nothing that has happened by accident. When I returned to cover the industry a little more than two years ago after a brief career change, then-STA president Ken Rada of Duke Energy listed that number as a membership goal, and at the time it was around 50 short of that “magic” milestone. The work to achieve that goal continued after Rada’s term ended and into the tenures of Judson Boehmer of Mount Vernon Mills and Wemyss of Glen Raven Custom Fabrics.

But through the tireless work – and deep passion for the association – of the organization’s executive committee, board and a number of members who believe in and evangelize about the association, that 500-member river has finally been crossed.

Applause, please.

In comments to 167 attendees at the STA’s 108th Annual Meeting Monday, Wemyss said that three Rs come to mind when he thinks of the association – and not reading, writing and ’rithmetic. Those three Rs are react, repay and respond. He explained each of those, noting how the STA has reacted to circumstances such as the untimely passing of a board member a couple of years ago and subsequently created the Steve Brown Memorial Scholarship; repaid society through donations to the Textile Foundation and other philanthropic causes; and responded to challenges over the years by diversifying its membership base and programs.

“So in 108 years, we’ve learned to evolve,” Wemyss said. “As individuals, if we don’t grow, learn and evolve, we die. As an industry and an association, it’s the same way.”

“With that said, our strength lies in pursuing our future, living in the present and honoring the past,” he added.

On the later part, the STA is working with me on a project to preserve the past through interviews with industry “Legacy Leaders.” I’ve teased this documentary project in past blogs, but will leave it at that for now. More details will follow when the campaign officially launches.

If you attended this week’s meeting as a first-timer, you certainly gained a sense of how valuable the Southern Textile Association is to its members and our industry. Both Wemyss and Mike Kingsmore of Palmetto Finishing mentioned the word “family” in more than one instance in my meeting preview interviews last week. And that’s ever so true. It’s certainly one of the reasons I have been privileged to have attended the STA annual meeting for 19 years in a row now.