Canada is getting a new sourcing trade show with an international perspective.
Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada will take place Aug. 22 to 24 at the International Centre in Toronto and is meant to give Canadian apparel and textile manufacturers, retailers and designers a boost in the competitive global environment.
The event will bring to Canada hundreds of apparel and textile companies from around the world, including China, India, Bangladesh, Mexico, the U.S., Honduras and Peru. China will have 125 apparel suppliers represented.
Organizers said ATSC will provide attendees with new insights and up-to-date information needed to more easily and effectively navigate the sourcing process.
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“The introduction of ATSC is a direct response to market demand and fills a significant gap in the Canadian market,” said Jason Prescott, chief executive officer of JP Communication, parent company of TopTenWholesale.com and Manufacturer.com, as well as the organizer of the event.
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“ATSC provides an unparalleled opportunity for Canadian apparel and textile importers and retailers to access the most current importing information from industry insiders and to connect with the world’s major apparel and textile manufacturers, all under one roof, without having to incur the time or expense of traveling abroad,” said Prescott, emphasizing that Canada imported more than $14 billion in apparel and textiles in 2015, up 20 percent from 2012.
Presented in coordination with the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textile and Apparel, the event is supported by the Ottawa-based Canadian Apparel Federation, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto, the Trade Office of Peru and exporting agencies ProMexico and ProColombia.
“Canada has long needed a venue where apparel and textile importers and retailers can learn about sourcing best practices while meeting producers from around the world,” said Bob Kirke, CAF executive director. “ATSC offers an important new resource for our domestic market.”
He said for now the plan is to hold the show once a year, and his company has a three-year contract.
In addition to the 200 international exhibits to be displayed at the show, ATSC will also feature three days of conference sessions led by industry and government experts covering topics ranging from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other trade agreements, best practices and the changing Canadian market to tips on how to choose overseas producers and new approaches for Canadians looking to enter the U.S. market.
A panel on ethical manufacturing of apparel and textiles, featuring executives from quality-control organizations Wrap and TesTex, will also be presented.
A “Made in Canada” section will showcase Canadian manufacturers that source apparel and textiles from abroad for their finished goods, as well as Canadian designers who have their designs produced into finished products overseas.
Prescott said while the Canadian apparel and textile manufacturing sector hasn’t had the resurgence that Made in America has, he felt it was still important to showcase the domestic industry.
He noted that there are 1,300 preregistered attendees, for what he said is the “first-ever such show in Canada.”
He added: “An international sourcing show is way overdue.”