Schedule of Events

Mary-Cathryn Kolb, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, BRRR! INC.

Just when we thought the vaccines and declining cases signaled the end of the pandemic in mid-2021, massive global supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and new covid variants sent us all scrambling back to the drawing board. Mary-Cathryn Kolb, the Founder & CEO of cooling fabric startup brrr°, will talk about the pivots and pirouettes she and her team did — such as strengthening their supply chain, building up inventory of yarn/fabric and launching a new performance product called brrr° Pro — to survive 2021 and position the company for accelerated growth in a hyper competitive post-pandemic marketplace.

Jennifer Fennell, CPM, Director of Supply Chain, Polo Custom Products

2021 was an unprecedented year of delivery delays, stock-outs and cost increases. While the world of Supply Chain often felt out of control, there were also opportunities for learning techniques we can implement to protect our organizations (and our mental health!) in the future. In this session, we will explore the bright side of a stressful work landscape.

Rachal McCarthy, President, NTI Global

An open discussion debunking common work-life balance myths such as “living your best life” and “planning for success.” Learn to set a realistic framework for defining your happiness as you take a trip through the life and mind of a chaotically-organized, optimistic-pessimist.

Panelists:
Amy Bircher, CEO & Founder, MMI Textiles, Inc.
Katie Bradford, MFC, IFM, Owner, Custom Marine Canvas
Kathy Schaefer, IFM, Owner and COO, Glawe Awnings and Tent Company

Megan Eddings, Founder & CEO, Accel Lifestyle

In today’s closing session, Megan will share her story, with the intention of resonating positivity, encouragement and compassion. From growing up in a very small town to being a Founder and CEO of 2 multi-million dollar companies, Megan’s journey will be sure to tug at your heart, enrich your mind and fill your soul.

Jasmine Cox, Director of Textile Technology Programs and Business Innovation, Textile Technology Center at Gaston College

How can you and your organization outwit, outplay and outlast the tumultuous labor field in order to retain new talent in our industry? Join us for a discussion on creative ways you and your organization can overcome the issues plaguing our textile industry workforce. How can your organization become the ultimate survivor?

Karen Hinds, Founder-CEO, Workplace Success Group

The pandemic, the global focus on diversity and inclusion, and remote work has stopped us in our tracks. We are rethinking our approach to how we work and why we work. It has also launched us on a personal quest to be more intentional creating a life of purpose and meaning.

In this presentation, Karen will take you on a journey to examine how to:

● Prioritize your needs as the first non-negotiable.
● Build a renewed sense of resilience and determination.
● Connect to critical support systems that fuel clarity.
● Find balance in this new world of work.
● Be productive and profitable while working differently.
● See the golden opportunities to step into your greatness.