As with many industries, the textiles industry has a plethora of associations, and sometimes it can be confusing to determine which to join and where to place limited resources. If you are a supplier to the sewn products industry—providing equipment, services, software, and more—then SPESA is the organization for you.

According to its President, Michael McDonald, SPESA—or the Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas—represents the back end of the supply chain for the industry, including equipment providers for sewing, cutting, and printing, as well as software and services providers. McDonald, who is only the second President in SPESA’s more than 30-year history, joined the organization in March 2018. He has a rich history in the industry, including teaching engagements at North Carolina State University and is pursuing a Ph.D. from there in Textile Technology Management, as well as degrees in Textile and Apparel Management, and Marketing and Brand Management.

Prior to taking on roles at the University and subsequently joining SPESA, McDonald was Manager of Government Relations for the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), an organization that represents more than 1,000 name brands, retailers, and manufacturers. From its website: “AAFA is the trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry, its management and shareholders, its nearly four million U.S. workers, and its contribution of more than $400 billion in annual U.S. retail sales. Our reach stretches from Washington, D.C., throughout the United States, and around the globe.”