The third annual Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada (ATSC) show opened in Toronto Monday with great fanfare and record attendance.Nearly 1,500 visitors on day one alone came to experience the vastly-expanded apparel and textile show, which features twice the amount of exhibits as last year and dozens of newly-introduced categories. With more than 500 booths from 17 different countries highlighting the exhibit area, the show was opened by a range of high profile VIPs who endorsed Canada as a sought-after trade partner for countries around the world.

VIPs participating in the show’s Opening Ceremony included: Chinese Ambassador Lu Shaye Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada; Mr. Wu Zhengping, Director General Foreign Trade Development Bureau, China Ministry of Commerce People’s Republic of China; Mr. Sun Jiwen, Minister Counsellor, Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada; Cao Jiachang, Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Textiles; Sue Rath, Deputy Director, Regional Office of the Trade Commissioner Service Global Affairs Canada; Dinesh Bahtia, Consulate General of India in Toronto; Mizanur Rahman, High Commissioner, Bangladesh to Canada; Andrii Veselovskyi, Consulate General of Ukraine in Toronto; H.E. Mr. Tariq Azim, High Commissioner for Pakistan to Canada; Steve Tipman, Executive Director, TFO Canada; Bob Kirke, Executive Director, Canadian Apparel Federation; Julia K. Hughes, President, U.S. Fashion Industry Association; Jeff Streader, Global Industry Veteran and Private equity partner; and Jason Prescott, CEO of JP Communications, producer of ATS trade shows and North America’s leading publisher of B2B wholesale trade and manufacturer sourcing platforms,TopTenWholsale.com and Manufacturer.com.

ATSC is Canada’s largest and most significant apparel and textile event for designers, brands, retailers, importers, wholesalers, merchandisers, buyers and suppliers. Countries presenting their latest trends and offerings in apparel and textile include China, India, Ukraine, Switzerland, Spain, the U.K., Turkey, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, the U.S. and Canada. The event presents three days of seminars, panels, networking opportunities and on-site business matchmaking.

International Pavilions - For the first time, a Brand China exhibition – called Avenue ATS – was introduced at the show, highlighting the top, cutting-edge Chinese fashion brands trending in the country’s apparel sector. A new India Pavilion – which has brought an unprecedented 40 established, new and emerging businesses from India – presented the latest innovations in Indian apparel, textiles and accessories. A “Made in Ukraine” showcase was also unveiled, displaying leading fashions from eight Ukrainian designers and manufacturers. Other new international showcases include trending displays from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Vestex Guatamala and The Americas.

“International trade is the foundation of the global economy and Canada is a very attractive market for world players, as is evident by the unprecedented number of global exhibitors at this year’s event looking to do business and make deals with Canadians, even offering first dibs on local market rights,” Prescott said. “As the U.S.-China trade war escalates, face-to-face global networking and educational platforms are more important than ever for anyone in the Canadian apparel and textile trade, and the ATS group is proud to bring this opportunity to Canada, and to support free trade and intellectual property rights.”

Day one highlights included an overflowing crowd at a panel on China’s changing role as a front-runner in the global textile and apparel supply chain, moderated by Clay Hickson of Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) and featuring Cao Jiachang, Chinese Ambassador Lu Shayeand Wu Zhengping. The panel covered such topics as China’s commitment to free trade with Canada, incentives for Canadian brands to continue sourcing from China and future outlooks, advantages of further investment in sourcing, and the reality of Chinese reliability on quality control, infrastructure and logistics.

Other sessions featured at the show on Monday focused on the U.S. trade war and its effects on Canadian and American retailers, brands and businesses. Bob Kirke discussed strategies for Canadians looking to adjust to new realities of international trade and how to strengthen relationships with global markets, including China, which represents more than 40 per cent of Canadian apparel imports. Julia K. Hughes spoke about the actions her organization is taking to stop new tariffs on apparel and footwear from China. Both reinforced that a full-blown trade war between the U.S. and its key trading partners will disrupt the global supply chain and impact trading volumes, with far-reaching repercussions for the Canadian and U.S. industry. Jeff Streader rounded the sessions by providing tips on succeeding in today’s digital world, including the impact of artificial intelligence and digital disruption on the global supply chain.

The debut of the the China Brand Show – which came to Canada for the first time as part of ATSC, adding categories such as accessories, giftware, home electronics, footwear, luggage and housewares and general merchandise – also drew record crowds.

Day two highlights - Day two of ATSC will feature an insider’s look at how Canadian designers can best enter the North American Market, a fashion digital influencers panel, insight into a new era for sourcing from Bangladesh, and latest innovations in GMO testing for cotton. A spectacular fashion show spotlighting established and up-and-coming Canadian and international designers will take place mid-day.

“ATSC presents everything and anything you need to do business – and stay up to date – in the apparel and textile industry globally under one roof, right at your doorstep without having to travel overseas,” Prescott said. “This is a completely unique opportunity for Canadians to make global industry connections and secure unprecedented deals with international players eager to do business in this country.”

ATSC is supported by many international governments and associations, headed by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textile and Apparel (CCCT) and the Bangladesh High Commission on behalf of the Export Promotion Bureau and the Bangladesh Garment and Manufacturers Export Association. The event is also supported by the Taiwan Textile Association, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), India’s Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), Wool and Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC) and TFO Canada, experts in trade for developing countries.

Registration – which includes a three-day pass to both the exhibits and conference sessions – is free of charge. For more information or to register for the show, visit http://www.appareltextilesourcing.com/canada/

About Apparel Textile Sourcing -Apparel Textile Sourcing is the apparel industry's link to the entire global supply chain. The events’ resources, experts and manufacturers come from more than 25 countries and cover the worlds of fashion, apparel, textiles and sourcing. New sources, new products and new ideas come alive with education, fashion shows and trade opportunities. The ATS Trade Shows are produced in Canada (Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada) and Miami (Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami).