.png)
Agenda
All sessions take place at the Austin Central Library unless otherwise noted.
April 2, 2025
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception
Austin Community College Fashion Incubator
6101 Highland Campus Dr., Building 4000, Ste. 4.1210
Get a head start on your networking at this welcome networking reception. Housed inside a sustainable wonder — a LEED-certified reclaimed mall — the ACC Fashion Incubator provide a unique real-to-industry experience for students and local fashion design startups that is highly inclusive, collaborative, and supportive. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to mingle among the studio and design labs for the organization's designer-in-residence program, and learn more about the new digital fashion academy. Come see what a $13 million injection of technology and software can create.
April 3, 2025
8:15 - 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast & Registration
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | Welcome
Michael McDonald, SPESA
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Texas Fashion Industry Initiative
This panel, created and hosted by a new SPESA partner, the Texas Fashion Industry Initiative, brings together local manufacturers, designers, and industry stakeholders to introduce our attendees to the state’s burgeoning industry. Touching on a wide range of issues from building successful supplier relationships to managing carbon footprints to inspiring emerging designers, this panel will kick off our day with a discussion on the manufacturing opportunities available in Texas, and the challenges ahead.
Moderator:
-
Saige Thomas, Texas Fashion Industry Initiative
Speakers:
-
Marta Miller, Stitch Texas & Lefty Production Co.
-
Rebekah Hoffer, Stitch Texas & Lefty Production Co.
-
Austin DiPadova, breakfront apparel
-
Michelle Washington, TV Style Expert, Fashion Stylist
-
Felishia Shinn, LS4 3D Printing
10:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Fireside Chat | Global Sourcing
Tony Anzovino's resume includes manufacturing management at Abercrombie & Fitch and Haggar Clothing. Pulling from 35 years of experience in manufacturing, sourcing, technical design, and product development, and his perspective now working for a major regional retailer, Tony will share insights on today’s global sourcing environment.
In conversation with SPESA President Michael McDonald:
-
Tony Anzovino, Dillard’s
11:00 - 11:15 a.m. | Break
11:15 - 11:45 a.m. | Hot Topic Session #1 | Made in America: Turning Demand into Manufacturing Opportunity
With tariffs driving brands to source domestically, U.S. manufacturers face a major challenge: demand is rising, but resources, labor, and infrastructure are lacking. Industry experts Justin Hershoran and Anthony Mele will explore how automation, AI, and workforce training can help manufacturers scale, retain talent, and capitalize on new opportunities. Join Justin and Anthony for an interactive discussion on real solutions for reshoring success.
Speakers:
-
Justin Hershoran, Aptean
-
Anthony Mele, Aptean
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | AI & Automation: Reshaping the Future
This panel of SPESA members will discuss the latest trends in virtual design, automated sewing, and material handling, as well as implementing artificial intelligence into your factory operations. Going beyond the theoretical, they will share examples of the valuable automated solutions available in today's market.
Speakers:
-
Frank Henderson, Henderson Sewing Machine, Co.
-
Yong Jin, Leridge
-
Geoff Taylor, Tukatech
12:30 - 2:15 p.m. | Lunch & Library Time
During our lunch break, attendees will have extra time to chat with new connections, meet our event sponsors, and explore the Austin Central Library.
2:15 - 2:45 p.m. | Hot Topic Session #2 | Innovation Through Integration: The Role Connectivity Plays in Transforming Manufacturing
In this fireside chat, Michael and Mihaela seek to offer a holistic look at process flow, production flow, and technology integration — focusing on how systems and the industry can grow by integrating different parts of the manufacturing puzzle. They both agree: “we’ve had too much of people talking at other people.” Instead, they want to have a conversation with the audience and share their real-life experiences and perspectives from backgrounds in manufacturing, retail, and technology. They plan to explore what people are doing right and take an honest look at what they might be doing very wrong when it comes to manufacturing and technology integration.
Speakers:
-
Mihaela Coapsi, CGS, Inc.
-
Michael Rabin, Morgan Tecnica
2:45 - 3:30 p.m. | ACC Fashion Incubator
Nina Means, Director of the Austin Community College (ACC) Fashion Incubator, will join SPESA member Lectra to discuss their efforts to increase enthusiasm, education, and investment in Austin’s fashion industry. They will explore industry 4.0, emerging technology trends, and how the Fashion Incubator is leveraging industry advancements.
Speakers:
-
Nina Means, Austin Community College Fashion Incubator
-
Leonard Marano, Lectra
3:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Break
4:00 - 4:45 p.m. | Advancing the Industry: A Discussion on Industry & Academia
We will end the day looking toward the future and discussing academia’s role in shaping the next generation of the industry. With this panel, we hope to learn more about the goals of these various educational programs, what they need from industry to better prepare their students to enter the workforce, and how we can bridge the gap between education and workforce demands.
Speakers:
-
Dr. Charles Freeman, Texas Christian University
-
Dr. Jennifer Wilson, University of Texas at Austin
-
Morgan Davis, Austin Community College Fashion Incubator
4:45 - 5:15 p.m. | Wrap-Up
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Networking Reception
Codependent Coffee & Cocktails
301 West Ave STE 110, Austin, TX 78701
Join us for a short walk around the block to round out the day with some final networking and cocktails in an Austin patio paradise.
*Our speakers provide an incredible wealth of knowledge to the sewn products industry, and thus, are very busy. Speakers and topics are subject to change.
For any questions about the agenda or event, please contact Marie@spesa.org or Maggie@spesa.org.
