The conference will be held Tuesday, September 13, and feature a full day of panel discussions with SPESA members and local industry leaders, a site visit to the Carhartt flagship store and Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC), and floor passes to the world-renowned North American International Auto Show.

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Sewn Products Equipment and Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA) will host its annual Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference on Tuesday, September 13, in Detroit, Michigan, bringing together both suppliers and manufacturers to discuss current and emerging innovation in the sewn products industry.

This is the first time SPESA will host an event in Detroit, a city with a rich history in American manufacturing. Coined the automotive capital of the world in the early 20th century, Detroit has made way for new manufacturing initiatives in fashion and design. SPESA member ISAIC (Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center) is at the forefront of this charge in Detroit and has played a major role in bringing together some of the city’s top industry leaders for the Advancements Conference.

“Detroit is a market that has been on our minds for a while now,” said SPESA’s President, Michael McDonald. “It is a city that has demonstrated remarkable resilience, creativity, and collaboration. Leaders from different industries recognize this and are turning to Detroit as a center for manufacturing technology and innovation. We couldn’t ask for a better place to host our Advancements Conference.”

“It’s an electric time in Detroit with the developments in mobility and the city’s recent recognition as the top ecosystem for startups,” said Jennifer Guarino, president and CEO of ISAIC. “And now our industry is taking center stage as we grow this hub for piloting innovative solutions for ethical, sustainable manufacturing. I can honestly say that attendees will be blown away with the caliber of speakers and opportunity to discover all the city has to offer.”

The Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference provides a unique platform for speakers and attendees to engage in an open dialogue and learn about new ideas, solutions, and technologies available for the sewn products industry. The 2022 Advancements Conference will focus on the always popular themes of automation and on-demand manufacturing, while also touching on the intersection between industries like automotive and apparel.

The Conference will commence at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce. It will culminate with a trip to the Carhartt flagship store, where SPESA will offer attendees a tour of the ISAIC facility and host a closing panel reception in the Carhartt workshop featuring an impressive line-up of local industry leaders.
Lastly, all attendees will receive a floor pass to the world-renowned North American International Auto Show which kicks off Wednesday, September 14.

Registration for the conference is open now. A discounted early bird rate of $225 will be available until July 15, 2022, after which registration will be $275 per attendee. A discounted hotel room rate will be available at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. A link to reserve hotel rooms will be available soon.

For more information, visit www.SPESA.org.