ROSEVILLE, Minn. — March 3, 2022 — “Enriching.” “Empowering.” “Energizing.” These are just some of the attendee descriptions of the Industrial Fabric Association International’s (IFAI’s) Women in Textiles Summit, which took place February 16-19 in Georgia.
The summit featured engaging sessions, openhearted interaction and connection-building opportunities during business sessions and activities that included receptions, a wine tasting, yoga, a morning walk, a mindfulness break and a trivia contest. Indeed, the unique event provided a forum for growth and leadership.
Under the theme, “Continuing to Believe What is Possible,” the event was co-emceed by Apurba Banerjee, principal textiles engineer-Hand Tools at Milwaukee Tools, and Rachal McCarthy, president of NTI Global. A number of returning attendees were on hand, along with many first-timers, including Tanya Wade, intake administrator at the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC), Conover, N.C.
“This was my first time attending the Women in Textiles Summit and it did not disappoint!” Wade said. “There is nothing that can compare to the energy and comradery of a group of women who are on a mission to support and build up each other. And that’s exactly what this conference is all about. I met a lot of new friends and industry contacts and look forward to meeting more at the next Women in Textiles Summit.”
In the Closing Day keynote — back by popular demand from the last in-person summit in 2020 — Karen Hinds brought numerous inspiring messages in her presentation, “It’s Not Too Late: How to Boldly Step into Your Greatness.” Hinds, author of several books and founder and CEO of Workplace Success Group, motivated attendees — in animated and entertaining fashion—through anecdotes and stories aimed at getting them out of their comfort zones, to find a network of people to “support and irritate” them, to establish financial security and to be sure to take time to for themselves to “relax, exercise and enjoy the ride.” By “irritate,” she said we all need people around us who “nitpick and test us” in order to think differently and reach our full potential.
In a fascinating panel discussion through generations of textile and IFAI leadership, past and current chairs of the IFAI discussed how they navigated their responsibilities while also running their own companies and personal lives. Panelists included Amy Bircher, CEO & founder of MMI Textiles Inc., current IFAI chair; Katie Bradford, MFC, IFM, owner of Custom Marine Canvas and the first female chair of IFAI; and Kathy Schaefer, IFM, owner and COO of Glawe Awnings and Tent Company, IFAI immediate past chair.
The summit also included engaging roundtable discussions, where participants learned more about each other and the challenges they face. Topics included mentorships, professional advancement, supply chain disruption and “get to know” IFAI and other attendee companies.
“I felt energized after attending the virtual conference last year and was excited to attend my first IFAI Women in Textiles Summit in person this year,” said Meg R. Patel, marketing manager, Décor-Textile Division at Milliken & Company, Spartanburg, S.C. “Between the lineup of inspiring speakers on various relevant topics women are facing today and plenty of networking time, coupled with fun activities in a beautiful venue, it all enabled me to create deeper connections within the textile industry. I left feeling empowered and motivated to tackle the next challenge at work.”
Post time: Mar-24-2022