"The industry has been encouraging us to bring Material World west for many years," explains Tim von Gal, President of Material World.  "California has the most important fashion manufacturing and import base in the United States.  It is the home of top name brands and leading designers.  California's international accessibility lends itself to a diverse mix of participation. For those reasons and L.A.'s indisputable reputation as a Fashion city, it is the ideal location for a fall edition of our event."

"The addition of Material World West will create new opportunities for all members of AAFA and our partnering organizations," said Kevin M. Burke, president and CEO, AAFA.   "Further, the new show will highlight the dynamic and growing West Coast apparel industry to our international partners." 

Material World West is an official event of the AAFA and is endorsed by other leading associations, including the American Apparel Producer's Network, California Fashion Association, National Textile Association, and National Council of Textile Organizations. Material World West plans to work with other local and regional industry associations to benefit their membership.

Leading trend forecasters Pantone and Stylesight will extend their support of Material World to the California edition. Pantone is the official color authority of Material World and Stylesight is the official trend partner of the event.

Material World West will be a comprehensive presentation of the fashion and style industry supply chain.  "Material World is more of an international product-development show for the fashion and style industries than it is just a textile show," said Ilse Metchek, executive director of the California Fashion Association. "My understanding is that it will focus more on technology, equipment, facilitation, and the supply side of product development, including denim textiles and finishing organizations; segments not currently included in the local show."

"Los Angeles is where fashion trends begin and we are delighted to welcome Material World to the Downtown region, the hub of the apparel industry on the West Coast," said Mark Liberman, president & CEO of LA INC., The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The apparel and textiles industry is the largest manufacturing sector in LA county and we are looking forward to hosting such a popular trade show that will showcase one of our City's most well-known attributes." The apparel and textiles industry generates $24.5 billion annually in wholesale volume, and Los Angeles employs more people in the apparel and textiles industry than New York City.

While the Miami Beach and Los Angeles events will each highlight seasonal trends, timely educational opportunities and a tremendous selection of fabric, trim, technology and sourcing products and services, each edition will also capitalize on its geographical location to highlight key areas of focus that will differentiate it from the other.

Focusing on California's position as a major manufacturing and fashion center, Material World West will bring together a broad base of traditional fabric, sourcing, technology and logistics resources.  In addition, the West Coast event will include home fabrics resources and a garment production equipment and machinery section.  Building upon Los Angeles' proven position as the place where trends happen, Material World West will also feature expanded trend pavilions and forecasting presentations.

Entering its ninth year, the Miami Beach event, scheduled for April 21-23, 2009, capitalizes on the city's undisputed position as an international trading hub and United States gateway to Latin America.  It is also a city that naturally draws traffic from all over the US, Canada and Latin America.  In fact, many of the country's largest sourcing groups have set up their sourcing operations in Miami.  For Latin America in particular, the Miami venue delivers a centralized trade show offering the largest fabric product and sourcing opportunities, technology and fashion information. 

Like its Miami Beach counterpart, this exhibition will showcase the introductions and innovations from leading companies from around the world in every sector of apparel and home industries, including fabric and textiles, trims and components, full package/contract manufacturers, service providers, technology solutions, equipment and machinery. 

The September 30-october 2, 2009 event is expected to attract key decision-makers, including presidents, general managers, chief information officers, manufacturing vice presidents, sourcing executives, product development executives, designers, manufacturers, purchasing agents, marketing executives, branded apparel companies and retailers, including mail order, private label and e-business, importers and others.

For 2009, both editions of Material World will also put a special spotlight on green products/services, performance, Technology Solutions and global matchmaking through special advance and on-site marketing efforts and focused educational tracks.

MATERIAL WORLD WEST QUICK FACTS:

Hours:          Wednesday, September 30, 2009    10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
                    Thursday, October 1, 2009              10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
                     Friday, October 2, 2009                  10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location:     Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA

Travel:         For discounted hotels, call Connections at 1.800.262.9974

Show Info:   For exhibitor or attendee information on Material World, call 1.800.318.2238 or 678.285.3976.

E-mail: inquiry@material-world.com. Please visit our website beginning June 10th, www.material-world.com, for more information about Material World West.