The Business of Fashion

New Source for Information about the California Industry

2011-07-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

"California Fashion Manufacturing (CFM)" is a new program and website developed and managed by the California Fashion Association. The goal is to develop opportunities for strategic alliances with Suuthern California apparel industry brand managers and local industry specialists.
...To continue reading, please click here.

HOT BUTTON ISSUES: What is Proposition 65?...an Update

2011-04-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

HOT BUTTON ISSUES - California’s Proposition 65
More than 40 retailers, including Macy’s, J.C. Penney, Saks, Kohls, Sears, Dress Barn, Limited, H&M, New York & Co., etc. paid $1.7 Million in settlements in 2010 by entering into a consent judgment issued by the Superior Court of the California, Alameda County, and brought by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH). Payments from each defendant averaged $48K, with legal fees in the $30K range. In other cases, wholesale brand holders and distributors settled suits when they were found to be in violation.

What is Proposition 65?...an Update
Proposition 65 (Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986) is a law that imposes requirements for goods made, distributed or sold in the State of California. It applies to all businesses with 10 or more employees doing business in California, and is seen as the most stringent chemical control and consumer protection statute in the nation. The Proposition 65 list contains prominent industrial chemicals, additives and/or ingredients in common household and office products, toys, jewelry, foods, drugs, dyes, pesticides, solvents, as well as some trimmings attached to apparel. The listed chemicals may also be used in manufacturing and construction, or they may be by-products of production or combustion processes. Proposition 65 requires that any person exposed to one or more of the chemicals on the list first receive a warning that the state has determined the chemical in question may cause cancer, birth defects and/or reproductive harm.

WHAT IS ‘CLEAR AND REASONABLE WARNING’
Reasonable warning under Proposition 65 is defined to be “reasonably calculated, considering the alternative methods available under the circumstances, to make the warning message available to the individual prior to exposure. The message must clearly communicate that the chemical in question is known to the state to cause cancer, or birth defects or other reproductive harm…”
The warning message must include the following language:
“WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.”
and/or
“WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.”

The warning may be by one or more of the following methods:
*Label or other labeling on product;
*Shelf labeling, hang tags, signs, menus, or a combination thereof; and/or
*A system of signs, public advertising identifying the system, and toll-free information services

Note: By label or sign, the warnings shall be prominently placed upon a product’s label or other labeling or displayed at the retail outlet with such conspicuousness as to render it likely to be read and understood by an ordinary individual under customary conditions of purchase or use.

ENFORCEMENT Proposition 65 allows private persons or organizations to bring actions against alleged violators of the Act on behalf of the “general public,” after providing notice to the California Attorney General and local prosecutors. If the Attorney General or local prosecutor does not take action within 60 days after the notice issues, the private party may then file a lawsuit. A business targeted by a bounty hunter for Proposition 65 enforcement will first receive a 60-Day Notice of Violation and Intent to Sue, which is intended to give the Attorney General and local prosecutor the opportunity to intervene in the action.

LIABILITY Failure to comply with Proposition 65’s strict warning requirements can lead to fines of up to $2,500 per day, per violation, with bounty hunters keeping 25% of the penalty amounts. Plaintiffs also are entitled to reimbursement of their costs of bringing a Proposition 65 suit, including their attorney fees, which is often the real reason private parties bring these actions. The majority of Proposition 65 claims are resolved through settlements (e.g., a consent judgment).

AVOIDING LITIGATION Effective compliance strategies begin with a thorough audit of a business’ operations and products to determine what, if anything, may be implicated by Proposition 65’s requirements. A business should assess whether it releases (environmental exposure), or its products contain (products exposure) Proposition 65-listed chemicals - even in trace concentrations. Although implementation of a compliance strategy will not necessarily immunize a business for past Proposition 65 violations of future enforcement actions, it will minimize the accrual of any additional potential liability from non-compliance.

Why so many settlements?
*Warning labels may be required for trace chemicals whose presence is unknown to the business at the time of sale. Thus, liability mounts before the business is aware of the violation;
*Plaintiffs’ lawyers are experienced at forcing settlement; and
*Trials are expensive and unpredictable

RECENT TRENDS
Cadmium
Benzene
Acrylamide
De (2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)
Lead (Approximately 80% of all notices of violation in the past 12 months involved lead)
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

LIMITING LIABILITY
Upstream Indemnification
Testing
Monitoring trends in Proposition 65 litigations
Insurance

Source: Presentation by Michael Fisher and Russell Allyn of Buchalter Nemer, July 2010

Fashion Action - Apparel Lawsuits Caught up in Legal Loophole - April, 2011

2011-04-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

Voices on the issue of "Vexatious Litigation"

"These lawsuits succeed because they exploit a loophole found in Section 410 of the Copyright Act. The loophole creates an effectively 'unrebuttable' presumption that the plaintiff's copyright is valid."

Please click here to continue reading the CFA newsletter article...

Stolen Style: Learning Series: The Piracy Paradox

2011-03-21T15:54:00.000-07:00

Stolen Style: Learning Series: The Piracy Paradox: "So, if you’ve kept up with the Monday Learning Series, we’ve mentioned The Piracy Paradox a lot in passing, but never gone into much dept..."

The Reality of the IMBALANCE of Trade

2011-03-07T17:37:00.000-08:00

President Obama has asked the U.S. industry to "win the future" and to do so with “innovation and by doubling exports within the next five years”. The current data makes it seem that things look good. U.S. exports are up about twenty percent so far in 2011. The problem is that the exports are being drowned out by a renewed flood of imports. As a result, the U.S. trade deficit is rising back toward the four percent of GDP level that is considered unsustainable, and portends even lower economic growth potential.

With the goal of ‘doubling’ exports, and spurred on by additional funding for development of high-speed trains, wind turbines, batteries, and solar panels, American factories are supposed to be looking toward increased production of vast high-tech products in the near future to “spur a U.S. economic renaissance that would produce good middle class jobs”.

Hi-Tech manufacturing requires an educated, trained workforce, at every level. …so why is ‘manufacturing’ relegated to the ‘hi-tech’ industries as defined by the larger companies in the industrial complex? Manufacturing is ANY kind of work that requires mastery of real things. The demands of eye-hand coordination can be intellectually demanding - with maintenance and repair work also fostering individual responsibility.

Many inventions are the result of a reflective moment when an individual worker made an assumption based on the skills acquired while on the job. Experience in production leads to innovation!

In a recent interview about companies who move their production to China, Applied Materials Executive Vice President Mark Pinto emphasized that “the critical factor in the trend is not R&D or innovation per se, but the availability of production facilities. Manufacturing also requires innovation.”

As stated by Clyde Prestowitz, President of the Economic Strategy Institute, “Innovation isn't the mana from heaven - It doesn't arise from some unique American gene. Rather than innovation leading to production, it is production that leads to innovation.”

The reason for this imbalance of exports vs. imports is not that America lacks innovation. No country has been more innovative in the past one hundred years than the United States. The reason America is increasingly losing out and lagging behind is that it lacks production - and that lack of production capability is now also leading to a decline in innovative capability.

Consider this: There is NO industrial training in most of the major US city’s schools with an alarming 38% (average) drop-out rate. These young people are willing and able to learn how to ‘make something’!

The truth is that an export-doubling target is meaningless unless all manufacturing is considered worthwhile and supported by the academic community within their curriculums, and by the removal federal, state, and local government restrictions and barriers for those entrepreneurs willing to invest in small manufacturing facilities, and train entry level employees. Investments in modern production facilities require the availability of an experienced workforce.

An experienced workforce would result in a renewed effort for modern production facilities. We do need to focus more on domestic production that can competitively substitute for imports by using our competitive advantage of ‘innovation’……that is the ONLY thing that will lead to more exports.

LET’S TELL THE WORLD HOW GOOD WE ARE AT MAKING THINGS BETTER!

2011-03-04T15:24:00.000-08:00

A letter to the next generation of designers, style-followers, producers and sellers….

The fashion industry is on your doorstep!
Fashion is NOT an elective, it is a necessity. Today we know that ‘style’ levels the playing field across socio-economic boundaries, and bridges the ethnic gaps. Even in these difficult times, fashion continues to transform and affect dreams….whether seen on the runways, on celebrities, or on the trend-setter in the neighborhood.

To thrive, Los Angeles needs a world class education system that embraces ALL students. Teach history, geography and math, along with the technology - all with a focus on fashion - and we will keep students interested in school, and help them focus on goals.

Those of us already in the business of apparel and textiles have been forced to adjust our business strategies to adapt to some of the most challenging economic times on record. Few industries have felt the effects of the recession as acutely as the design-to-manufacture-to-retail process, all due to lowered retail inventories, a ‘discount mind-set’, and the continuing credit crunch. Clearly, the ability to change quickly and successfully is more critical than ever.

BUT, we are ever optimistic….THE NEXT BIG THING IS OUT THERE! There are hidden corners of opportunity, while we find new ways to be creative. From textiles to services suppliers to apparel manufacturing, the entrepreneurs in this industry are capable of changing quickly and successfully. The best of the best are taking advantage of market and industry shifts; not merely responding to the current fashion trends.

Historically, we reinvent ourselves here in the California industry, and radically change our business models as each opportunity comes along; with the entire global industry watching and following. New designers make their mark, brands come into the fashion spotlight and are then ‘discovered’ by the mergers & acquisition (M&A) hunters. This market is so dynamic; acquisitions are being made for the people, not the assets

By expanding our reach, we have become impossible to ignore.

CFA Seminar at LA Textile Show: 'Make it in L.A.' - March 29th, 2011

2011-03-02T15:07:00.000-08:00

The CFA and the Los Angeles International Textile Show - Make it in Los Angeles!!!

Bringing Manufacturing BACK to the Industry cluster
..the Opportunities….the Process….Who to Call…

Featuring:
William Golant, The Project Cafe
David Perry, The DSP Group
Brian Weitman, STC-QST
Randy Youngblood, Apparel Resources Inc.

Moderator:
Ilse Metchek - California Fashion Association
Please click the link below for more information:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/CFA-Seminar-at-LA-Textile-Show---Make-it-in-L-A-----March-29th--2011.html?soid=1101870870988&aid=b79FOkpbNeE

Academy Awards Alert! Why You Might Be a Fashion Criminal

2011-02-24T11:35:00.000-08:00

Impressions of MAGIC

2011-02-17T09:52:00.000-08:00

Show floors visited: MAGIC, PROJECT, Workroom, Off-Price, Platform, Pool

Attitude of the exhibitors toward the 'traffic' depended upon the expectations of the exhibitor. Most of the newer 'hot' contemporary companies thought the show's traffic was positive because they were seeing more retailers and press people. The retailers in this space were looking for something new and reaching out to view the lines they may not have shopped before. The show, however, was disappointing for the long-time exhibitors expecting to 'write' orders based on past experiences, and who did not make appointments.

There was a cautious approach by the vendors at every level due to price increases of source materials. The specialty store retailers are realizing they will have to charge higher prices for the merchandise that will be coming in from their current vendors. This is another driver for the retailers 'shopping' frame of mind: The retailers are getting ahead of the curve by seeking alternatives, and are sampling new down-market vendors. This is the case unless they have established a 'must have' brand within the store or the department.

Even the higher priced lines (not quite 'luxury') know that the consumer has price on his/her mind. The vendors who are accustomed to higher margins for their fashion merchandise are caught in the middle of the re-thinking that is going on.

The cautious approach was echoed by retailers buying much closer to need. There was much more activity in the booths where bright colors and summer-y styles were being shown, than where transitional and fall merchandise in dark colors were in view.

Another impression is that the retailer is cautious as to the individual or company with whom they are dealing. With no specific trend as the most important one right now, retailers are selecting the vendor with the best reputation and track record for on-time delivery and service within their buying plan strategies. Conversely, when a new speck on the horizon (the return of 'preppy') is talked about, the knowledgeable retailers go back to those brands synonymous with that look (i.e.: Pendleton, Timberland, etc.)

As Roth Capital Partners' Senior Research Analyst Liz Pierce writes, "The obvious question being will price increases lead to demand destruction and if so, who in the supply chain will bear the brunt of the increase? At this point we think it is too early to tell, but we did hear that more and more retailers have accepted the reality of the situation and have started to raise prices, especially on newer and non-basic items."

The Off-Price show also showed the effect of the current economy. There was a clear lack of 'newer' merchandise available, whereas in recent years there was copy-cat availability throughout. Perhaps because there is nothing 'hot' to copy. On the other hand, it could be that vendors of all stripes and sizes are controlling inventory, mindful of the costs of over-cutting.

Ilse Metchek
CFA President

The TALA Cotton Report

2010-07-20T15:14:00.001-07:00

(courtesy of the Textile Association of Los Angeles)
Cotton Report:
The Issue - “We are consuming more cotton than we are producing worldwide.”
The issue of supply and demand is causing turmoil in pricing for mills, vendors and retailers, according to Kim Glas, U.S. Deputy Assistant Commerce Secretary for Textiles and Apparel.. The market for cotton is booming but cotton supply hasn’t increased.
Factors causing the surge in cotton prices:
 Poor weather conditions in China, with damaged crops – China is the world’s top producer of cotton
 The Indian government implemented a short term ban in April (which was lifted on May 25th) on raw cotton exports in a bid to lower domestic cotton prices, following shortages in the country because of unusually high exports. India is the No. 2 cotton producer
 Factories in Asia that closed because of the recession
 World consumption for cotton is forecast (for 2010 -2011) to exceed production for the fifth straight year; the first time this has happened in 50 years.
 According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, shrinking cotton inventories will drive availability to the lowest level in 16 years,
 Cotton mills in Pakistan might shut. Pakistan relies on Indian imports for domestic demand, and Pakistan is the world’s fourth-biggest cotton producer. However, an increase of approximately 27% has been recorded in prices of Indian cotton and, because of the increase in import prices, Pakistani importers might cancel their orders. On May 12th, Pakistan’s Ministry of Textiles imposed a 15% regulatory duty on the country’s yarn shipments. Exports of cotton from Pakistan are limited to a maximum quantity of 32000 tons.
Cotton prices in China are nearing their historical peak, squeezing garment manufacturers just as they head into the important summer buying season. “The peak of the buying season is in two months time. If the crop has not improved, we may see another 20% hike,” said Willy Lin, chairman of the Hong Kong Knitwear Exporters & Manufacturers Association.
“The increase in cotton goods will begin to trickle down to consumers for holiday selling,” said Jonathan Greller, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of men’s, children’s and intimate apparel at Lord & Taylor. “For spring 2011, we are seeing 5% to 10% increases in retail prices for like programs.”

Cotton is about 35% of world fiber use and is produced in 80 countries worldwide. However, U.S., China and India together provide two-thirds of the world’s volume.
The U.S. cotton industry generates more than $25 billion in products annually, according to the Economic Research Service of the USDA.
The USDA (US Department of Agriculture) estimates that world cotton output would reach 113.9 million bales in 2011 compared with 102.9 million bales in 2010. At the same time, global consumption would be increasing to 119.1 million bales in 2011, from about 115.9 million in 2010.
There are reports that some foreign suppliers are hoarding cotton stocks with the intention of selling to the highest bidder, which will add to confusion in the marketplace over the correct price of cotton per pound .
Mills, manufacturers and retailers are certainly concerned about this situation. The price of cotton is fluctuating substantially. With cotton prices so volatile, the businesses along the pipeline will have to absorb the increases….with greatest effect on the manufacturers.
Additionally, due to consumer interest in “green” products and the expansion of organic cotton programs by retailers and brand managers, the Organic Exchange predicts the global organic cotton market will grow to about $5.1 billion in 2010 and $6 billion in 2011. The organic cotton market has increased by an average of 40 % annually since 2001. Production of organic cotton in 2008-09 grew 20%, and currently, twenty-two countries now grow organic cotton.

Source: Women’s Wear Daily
Fibre2fashion.com
Just-style.com

Industry Predictions for Retailing

2010-02-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

‘2010 Industry Predictions for Retailing”
Market Tuesday Seminar
February 9th, 2010

An expert panel discussed the following issues:
• Credit: Where to get it - How to use it!
• Examining new value for ‘Point-of-Sale’ (POS) Systems
• Strategic Planning to Ensure Profitability

Panelists –
• Bruce Campbell, Partner, Black Retail Consulting
• Stella Campbell, Owner, Sugar Stores
• Chester Ritchie, Executive Vice President, Cam Commerce
• Gene Schwartz, Senior Vice President, CIT Group

Moderator –
• Ilse Metchek, President, California Fashion Association

The Relevance of 'Fashion'

2009-09-15T11:34:00.001-07:00

To paraphrase an old adage, “when one door opens, another one closes”. Most of the recent articles and quotes from expert fashion reviewers seem to be missing the point. Yes, there is the internet, giving anyone who cares instant access to runway styles and fashion advice, and, yes, it is “a platform for a new generation of style arbiters”, as Booth Moore stated in her article in the Los Angeles Times on Sunday, September 13. The question is ‘who’ cares? The consumers with the most disposable income are not those who depend upon the style arbiters; they are going to buy what they need, if they see what they want at the right time, based on a reasonable trend assessment and its relevance to their lifestyles.

The reality is that the general buying public is no longer obsessed with the world of fashion, and is getting bored with looking at the same airbrushed faces; female and male. Fashion magazines, once the bible of ‘what to wear for the next season”, are struggling financially because their advertisers are looking for the return-on-investment. Clearly, if the readership was responding to the visuals in the magazine, advertisers would re-think their marketing dollars. But the readers are not buying what they are showing! Those who are obsessed with being ‘in’ are not equating the fact that one can buy a new printer/copier for the cost of a Marc Jacobs T-shirt. ....and a Coach handbag clearly has replaced a Vuitton as the ‘aspirational’ purchase of the day.

The phrase, ‘global strategy’ is a misnomer in this new phase of branding and merchandising. One fashion viewpoint does NOT fit all! Luxury brands are finding that the world of fast-fashion and pop culture are stealing their status as arbiters of style...especially when runway coverage depends on regurgitating ‘sharp-shoulders’, bell bottoms, and back-to-the-future silhouettes for editorial news. It becomes increasingly clear that everything old is not new again.

In plain English, the bigger the boom, the bigger the bust. Every economic crisis since the 40s had striking similarities to the current environment. These prior episodes were followed by a multi-year credit expansion, culminating in a banking system crisis, followed by credit contraction - all the result of borrowers emboldened to increase their indebtedness and lenders prepared to stretch their balance sheets. Some economists are predicting that we will not return to the inflation-adjusted peak until 2016. The key risk to our industry may come from the law of unintended consequences. Current pessimism about the earning capacity of an individual or a small business could become so acute that firms and households refuse to borrow, even when credit is available...the paradox of thrift.

To open the door for fashion related companies requires a total re-invention of the way business is being done, including new credit mechanisms, and a focus on the customer, both retailer and consumer, with CASH to spend.

Whatever happened to 8/10- E.O.M.?

Industry Voices: Fashion's Future - News

2009-08-03T09:43:00.001-07:00

Industry Voices: Fashion's Future - News

Shared via AddThis

FASHION'S FUTURE

2009-07-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

America’s recent fashion history has seen a relentless tilt to the west – of people, ideas, commerce, and even trend power. New York and Los Angeles are the twin poles of U.S. fashion, but very different ones. For most of the last twenty years, L.A. has been the brainier, sexier, trendier of the two: its entrepreneurs and its innovations, its fads and foibles, its marvelous clutter of jeans, activewear, swimwear, surfwear, jeans, etc have spread around the world. New York, still the bastion and darling of the fashion press, has trailed behind in the world of innovation; its cliché has been a conservative applause to the same small group of ‘elite’ names. But twins can change places. Is that happening now?

It is easy to find evidence that California style is in a funk. The banks have stopped funding creativity; they certainly are not taking any chances in this squirrelly economy – and the buyers, from the large retailers and specialty store chains alike, cannot afford to place their bets with new resources that might not be able to deliver when promised. The retailers’ lines of credit depend on-time delivery, complete, saleable damage-free shipments, with accurate documents now demanded by technical and governmental requirements.

Back in the golden age of the 1960s and 70s, our community offered those ‘up-and-comers’ a shot at the American dream – not just for the mouth-y high-fliers who gave great parties. There was a complete cross section of an industry cluster; with an enviable infrastructure. These days, more than 87% of the $39 billion shipped, in apparel and textile finished products, are made elsewhere. Every year, more companies leave the business than enter it.

Not only that, but most analysts and poll-takers rank Los Angeles AND California the very worst region to do business in, for each of the past four years. Add to that, a very laissez-faire attitude toward the industry by our public officials and our uber-industry groups, with no concern for the over-riding issues that affect our business, and the 100,000 plus people employed in it.

By contrast, New York’s legislators understand the importance of their fashion industry, and have tried to revive the trend of encroaching real estate in their once-flourishing ‘garment district’. A valiant effort is underway; we’ll see how it plays out.

Meanwhile, it has never paid to bet against an industry with as many inventive people as we have here. Even if California is in the dumps, it still boasts an unequalled array of sunrise start-ups, and the most agile venture-capital entrepreneurs on the fashion planet. Our technology providers are telling us that they are (strangely) seeing more and more start-ups – with more creative products, and more original ideas. Additionally, the smart business operators are examining the way they do business; being much more price conscious, cross training their personnel, analyzing every SKU, investing in technology, etc. The businesses surviving during these economic tough times will only emerge stronger and leaner, with more exciting product.

The California fashion industry has an awesome ability to reinvent itself – as it did when everything stopped right after 9/11.

Perhaps this new ‘crisis’ brought about by the troubled assets of our largest lender will promote what the politicians call ‘structural reform’. The truth is that we can learn from other apparel production centers and other business models. There is no perfect model; it is our genius to have 7000 companies competing to find out what works best. The relentless competition of clever new firms from San Diego to San Francisco will pull our west coast fashion industry out of its current gloom. All the world still wants the ‘California look’ – whatever that is!

Where are our Public Officials, Civic Leaders, and LEGISLATORS????....

2009-07-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

Report: The New York Stock Exchange halted trading on shares of CIT Group Inc., the largest factor to the apparel industry. Talks ended late on July 15 without a solution; CIT has been told there is “no appreciable likelihood” of government funding in the near term.

Significance of the Bankruptcy
“It sends a chilling message when the government will bail out Wall Street but then turns its back on the biggest lender to Main Street”. (Cass Johnson, National Council of Textile Organizations). The significance of this situation, and its affect on the design based industries of apparel, furniture, toys, etc., is noticeably absent from the “economic impact” analysis being put forth by the local ‘economic gurus’. Just wait until they are faced with real estate vacancies and increased unemployment!

The ramifications inherent in having the largest factoring firm to the apparel industry go bankrupt are far reaching. In addition to the crippling impact on both manufacturers and retailers, the situation also affects suppliers, service providers, shippers, and, most of all, employment. CIT is responsible for 60% of factoring in the US apparel and footwear industries, therefore bankruptcy has a huge ripple effect.

CIT funds more than a million businesses—many of them are small- or mid-sized companies. In the case of the smaller manufacturers, more than 90% of the business is done with the thousands of U.S. specialty retailers who have one or more outlets. Industry growth has happened because of available factoring; it has been the lifeblood of the creative process.

Industry Reliance on Factors
Manufacturers lose the ability to approve credit for their orders, and with it, the cash advance used to make payments to overseas sources and domestic contractors (even for previously contracted goods), and to pay their vendors and their employees. Working without factoring will be a challenge for the businesses that rely on the 80% advance on the retailer’s invoice to help finance production and manage cash flow.

Without factors, retailers will be required to pay up front and draw down on their own credit lines at a time when credit remains difficult to obtain - or find other ways to finance an order. The availability of credit and cash flows is key right now, and we are coming into the industry’s busy shipping season for ‘back-to-school’, and ‘holiday’ merchandise. The local textile industry is also adversely affected. Textile companies, for their yarn and design suppliers, have relied on CIT to assess the credit, and factor shipments for the manufacturing client base they supply.

Next Steps for Apparel and Retail Industry
Where the industry goes from here is unclear. Among the likely changes will be stricter rules for lending money, more-limited access to credit and increases in lending rates. Cash is king now, for both manufacturer and retailer, but there will be alternative ways to do business. Most alternatives carry their own sets of risks, all of which demand a re-evaluation of accounting procedures, terms and insurance policies.

CFA Actively Seeking Solutions
The California Fashion Association (CFA) will be organizing a series of focused gatherings with industry experts, manufacturers, retailers and other professionals to evaluate options, and explore creative new frameworks for business development. We are not done yet!!!!