The Outlook Conference is the only conference where technical textile executives convene to focus on business and economic outlooks for the specialty textile industry. This year’s conference will take place May 5–6 at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Ashville, N. C.

The conference Keynote speaker is Secretary William S. Cohen, chair and CEO of the Cohen Group, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, U.S. Senator and U.S. Congressman. His topic is “The Important National Security Issues of Our Day.” In addition, he will offer insights into the politics of Washington D.C.

Allen E. Gant, Jr., chair and CEO of Glen Raven Inc., will offer an industry perspective, and Ron Houle of DRASH™ will provide an update on the Berry Amendment and the military. The slate of speakers also features Gail Strickler, assistant U.S. trade representative for textiles and apparel, Office of the United States Trade Representative, Executive Office of the President, and Kim Glas, deputy assistant secretary for textiles and apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, who will provide an update on Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Free Trade Agreements. Dr. John E. Connaughton, Babson Capital professor of Financial Economics and director of the Babson Capital/UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast at UNC, Charlotte, N.C., will be speaking on “The Economic Recovery: Myths versus Reality.” Alasdair Carmichael, president of (Americas)–PCI Fibres will present “Global High-Tenacity Fiber Review.”

When it’s time to relax, attendees can participate in the annual golf tournament, join in a brewery tour or a tour of Historic Ashville.

The conference was developed by the U. S. Industrial Fabrics Institute (USIFI) and the Narrow Fabrics Institute (NFI), divisions of ATA.

USIFI is a coalition of U.S. specialty fiber, fabric and end-product manufacturers dedicated to serving the interest of its members in domestic and international marketplaces. NFI members work on interests affecting the narrow fabrics industry including new technologies and test standards, educational support and industry improvement.