After much thought and discussion with our Board of Directors, Division Advisory Board leadership and other stakeholders, the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) will be restructuring some of its divisions to create greater member engagement, improve staff and volunteer efficiency and allow for a focus on broader initiatives that impact more of our members.

These structural changes will allow us to become a nimbler and more efficient Association, with the constant goal of serving and supporting the interests of our diverse membership. More than ever our membership shares opportunities and challenges across multiple markets. On average they serve six different market segments, and their needs and expectations are evolving.

Over the last few years, we have worked to enhance member value throughout the Association by adding new member benefits such as, the Textile Industry Retirement Plan, ATA Health and Benefit Insurance, ATA Business Insurance, electronic payment processing, adding a variety of education options, new shipping/freight discounts and many other ways to save you money. There are more reasons to join and/or stay a member of ATA than ever before. Click here to learn more.

On June 1, 2023 the following changes will go into effect:

• Fabric Graphics Association and Tarp Association will be disbanded, and members not already affiliated with other divisions will be onboarded to other areas of the Association where ATA can provide significant value to their companies.
• Equipment Division has agreed to disband and take the opportunity to engage directly with any/all divisions where they do business or would like to do business.
• United States industrial Fabrics Institute (USIFI) and Narrow Fabrics Institute (NFI) have merged to form USINFI. They have long shared common issues and will continue working together to lobby on behalf of the Berry Amendment, Tariffs, and other important initiatives.
• Makers Division will become a part of our new Workforce Development Council. The goal with this change is to engage more members in working together to help with the common industry challenge of bringing new workers into the textiles industry, while keeping the focus on the importance of sewing careers and other relevant workforce related issues.
• Emerging Technologies Division, which changed its name at the same time IFAI rebranded to Advanced Textiles Association, will become Emerging Technologies Council, and continue its effort to prioritize the cultivation of knowledge and resource for emerging technology regardless of market.

As always thank you for your ATA membership. Demonstrating a return on your investment is our primary objective and we believe that the changes above will be another step in bringing additional value to you and your company.

Kind regards,

Steve Schiffman
ATA President and CEO