MAGIC Apparel Show to Feature Two Organic Apparel Seminars and Networking Booth

(PRWeb) February 7, 2007 --
What: The Organic Exchange and Organic Trade Association will co-host two seminars on the rapidly growing organic apparel sector February 15, 2007 at MAGIC (www.magiconline.com) and Sourcing@MAGIC (www.sourcingatmagic.com). Attendees will learn about market trends, the wide selection of organic fiber apparel, challenges and opportunities in sourcing, and establishing wholesale and retail lines.

The two organizations will also co-host a booth at Sourcing@MAGIC to provide background information and facilitate networking. Gold level sponsors are: Econscious, Greensource, Mavideniz, Quick Feat International, and Royal Apparel. Silver level sponsors are: Earth Creations, Indigenous Designs and Sharibe.

Who: Seminar speakers are:
LaRhea Pepper, Executive Director, Organic Exchange
Allison Teter, Lifestyle Fabric Developer, Patagonia
Charles Heilig, Vice President of Sales, Parkdale Mills
Anne Gillespie, Co-Founder, Continuum Textiles (and moderator)
Matthew Mole, President and Founder, Vermont Organic Fiber Company
Sandra Marquardt, President, On the Mark Public Relations (and moderator)

Where/When: Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV
Booth: CM23105 - Pod 4 in the South Hall Sourcing InfoHub area February 13-16
Seminars:
1. "Going 'O': The Business, Marketing and Environmental Benefits of Organic Fashion," Room N261 (North Hall) Thursday, February 15 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., and    
2. "Fashioning Organic Apparel: Creating Efficient and Effective Organic Supply Chains," Room MS 114 (South Hall Sourcing Area), Thursday, February 15 from 3:30 - 5 p.m.

Contact: Sandra Marquardt, On the Mark Public Relations, 301-592-0077.

Background: According to the Organic Trade Association, sales of U.S. and Canadian organic fiber sales jumped 40 percent in 2005, amounting to a $160 million U.S. organic product market. In addition, Organic Exchange data shows that global organic cotton product sales increased an estimated 35 percent annually, from $245 million in 2001 to $583 million in 2005 and are projected to skyrocket to $2.6 billion by the end of 2008.

Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. For more information, see www.organicexchange.org and www.ota.com.

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