The International Oeko-Tex Association and Textile Insight will present ‘Sustainability: Impacting Policy and the Future of Apparel and Textiles’, the next instalment in their popular ‘Insight on What’s Next’ textile and apparel industry roundtable discussion series, on Monday, December 14, 2009, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at The State Club on Centennial Campus at North Carolina State University.

A diverse, expert panel has been assembled to provide textile and retail executives and media representatives with unique and critical insights into how sustainable practices are changing the nature of the apparel and textile industry. The panel will be moderated by Emily Walzer, Editor of Textile Insight, and will include the following experts:

•             Keith Crisco, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce

•             A. Blanton Godfrey, Dean, College of Textiles, NCSU

•             John Eapen, VP Environmental, Health and Safety, American and Efird; Chair, AAfA’s RSL Environmental Committee

•             Denny Shaffer, Advocate and former President and CEO, Sierra Club

•             Tommy Thompson, Senior Manager International Environmental Affairs, Hanesbrands Inc.

•             Sam Moore, Managing Director, Hohenstein Institute America

“Sustainability is a critical evolution for the future health and longevity of the textile and apparel industry,” says Dr. Manfred Wentz, Senior Policy Advisor with Oeko-Tex and newly appointed Adjunct Professor on Sustainability at the College of Textiles. “Many companies are doing remarkable things to make our industry safer, cleaner, and more environmentally responsive. Oeko-Tex is proud to bring together the authorities who can share their experiences in this endeavour. And it is particularly fitting to host this event at NC State University, the intellectual hub of the global textile industry.”

To attend the ‘Sustainability: Impacting Policy and the Future of Apparel and Textiles’ event at NCSU’s State Club on Monday, December 14 at 11:00, contact Dina Dunn at [email protected] or 336-471-5584. Lunch will be served.

About ‘Insight on What’s Next’

Developed by Textile Insight and Oeko-Tex, the panel discussion series was introduced in early 2009 and has been well received by textile industry participants. To date, feature topics have included trends in consumer behaviour, textile technology, product design, merchandising trends, and emerging markets. The events are offered to industry executives and media representatives free of charge.