The 120 attendees at Outlook Conference 2010, held April 26 -27 at Pinehurst, NC, heard good news from Colonel Kurt Wilson, DSCP: Military shelter procurement for COTS tents will stay with C + T rather than moving to the Construction and Engineering group. The industry had pushed for this since they felt that C + E was less familiar with engineered fabric requirements for sophisticated shelters than Clothing and Textiles.
And Outlook Conference 2010 attendees were given a somewhat rosier picture for the specialty fabrics industry this year than they received in past years. Dr. John Connaughton, UNC Charlotte, told the group that pent-up consumer demand and slowly-growing consumer confidence will fuel some improvement in 2010, along with continued low interest rates and improving job growth. The flies in the ointment, however, are the long-term nature of modern recession recovery (probably twice as long for this recession as the recovery following the 1982 recession) and the difficulty in obtaining business and consumer credit.
The tight credit market can be attributed in part to the rise in excess bank reserves brought about by government actions in the bank closures of 2008. As Dr. Connaughton said, "Until the banks quit stock-piling cash in their vaults, the recession recovery will continue at its slow pace." His advice: Borrow now, if you can, because 3-4% inflation is coming.
The two-day annual Outlook Conference attracts decision makers from the entire industrial fabrics industry. Each year the program includes forecasts about fiber and market economics, with Alasdair Carmichael of PCI Fibres on hand again this year to point out trends in the specialty fiber markets.
This year David Hart from PCI Fibres, UK, also addressed specific market forecasts. Hart discussed predicted that fine denier polyester and nylon filament products have a better growth opportunity for U.S. companies because Asia isn't as good at making fine denier yarns than higher denier yarns.
Panelists Auggie Tantillo of AMTAC, Cass Johnson from NCTO, and Steve Lamar with AAFA, discussed legislative and trade actions affecting the technical textile industry.
Time for building networks is scheduled into the Conference with dinners and social time. First-time attendee Debra Aperfine, Chameleon International, LLC, said, "I learned so much this past week. I could not believe all the information being poured out in such a short amount of time. The speakers were phenomenal! The accommodations were just lovely, food was fabulous and it was amazing to make so many new contacts. You can count us in for all future Outlook Conferences." And long-time attendee and IFAI Board of Directors member Steve Ellington concurred, saying "excellent program, excellent location, and excellent value – on point with industry needs and advocacy."
Plan to join your colleagues at Outlook Conference 2011, May 2-3, 2011, at The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV. This beautiful property will serve as a fine host for the premiere leadership forum for the specialty fabrics industry.
