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President's Corner Archive
Free Trade: A New Year’s Resolution to Help the World
When the presents have been opened and the eggnog bowl drained, our minds turn to the coming year. Many people begin the New Year with resolutions to be healthier, to be more generous of heart, to spend more time with family and to save a little more money for rainy days. In addition to all the usual New Year’s resolutions, I, along with the American Apparel & Footwear Association, resolve to break down more international trade barriers in 2008.
Full December 2007 Article
CPSC Reform Act Not the Answer
Although the weather doesn’t show any signs of winter today, the holiday shopping season is just around the corner. Parents will be crowding the malls and toy stores to buy the latest and greatest gifts for their children. And while the kids may be thinking only of the fun to come, parents may be worried about the safety of these gifts. Our leaders in Congress are working to put parents’ minds at ease.
Full November 2007 Article
AAFA Leads Industry in Fight Against Counterfeits Prada or Prado?
Consumers can’t always tell the difference, or don’t always care, but the damage caused by counterfeits and knock-offs reaches beyond the imitated brands. The prevalent and ever-growing worldwide problem of intellectual property rights (IPR) violations is especially challenging for the apparel and footwear industries because these products continue to be among the most frequently counterfeited goods.
Full October 2007 Article
AAFA’s Restricted Substances List Leads The Industry
Bell bottoms may come in and out of vogue, but dangerous chemicals will never be fashionable. While no business wants to endanger their customers, just what is safe and what isn’t? For social, safety and environmental reasons, countries regulate the substances and chemicals that are used in apparel, footwear and textile products.
Full September 2007 Article
Time Flies As Temporary Andean Trade Preference Extension Nears Expiration
This June, Congress hesitated until the last moment to pass an extension for the expiring Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA). This procrastination put the fate of the Andean region and the U.S. apparel and textile industries in uncertain peril. The ATPA extension (H.R.1830) signed by President Bush on June 30, 2007 grants us eight more months to fight for more permanent, uninterrupted trade solutions with the Andean countries – such as the U.S. Peru and U.S/ Colombia Trade Promotion Agreements (TPA).
Full August 2007 Article
Introduction of The Affordable Footwear Act Is Just The Beginning
Here at the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), we have nearly worn the soles out of our own shoes walking the halls of Congress to support the Affordable Footwear Initiative – a coalition of organizations lobbying Congress to introduce and pass the Affordable Footwear Act. And so I was very proud to join other industry leaders in June as we stood with U.S. Representatives Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Nancy Boyda (D-KS) to introduce the Affordable Footwear Act.
Full July 2007 Article
American Apparel Education Foundation Advances Industry Knowledge
Crucial to the success of companies in the apparel and footwear industry is the ability to attract and obtain young men and women who are talented and well-grounded in disciplines needed for future business success.
Full June 2007 Article
The Latest on Trade: Politics &the Law of Unintended Consequences
This is a story about how party politics and the Law of Unintended Consequences are colliding in Washington under the new Democratic-controlled Congress in a way that could impact all U.S. companies—whether or not they do business abroad.
Full April 2007 Article
AAFA & SPESA Partner in Triennial Edition of Material World Bringing Together Sourcing, Fabrics and Technology with Equipment and Machinery
We are rapidly approaching our special triennial edition of Material World in Miami Beach, May 8-10. Every three years, Material World and Technology Solutions joins hands with SPESA Expo bringing sourcing, fabrics and technology together with equipment and machinery.
Full March 2007 Article
Kournikova and Feldenkreis Head Cast of AIA Honorees
The stars will be shining brightly the evening of May 14 in New York City when AAFA holds its 29th Annual American Image Awards, honoring fashion industry luminaries and raising thousands of dollars to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, our charity partner for this year, and our association’s educational programs.
Full February 2007 Article
Economy, International Developments, and Leadership Highlight the AAFA Executive Summit
I want to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of AAFA member companies attending and participating in the 2007 AAFA Annual Executive Summit, February 28-March 2, at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, CA. This is an exclusive event specifically for the leaders of footwear and apparel companies, one that provides attendees with an opportunity to gain new understanding about key developments affecting the industry and to network with their peers from around the world.
Full January 2007 Article
2006 President's Corner Archive 2005 President's Corner Archive
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