IFAI is now ATA
A summit for experienced and emerging leaders
March 1–3, 2023
Francis Marion Hotel, Charleston, SC
Come as colleagues and leave as friends. The goal of the summit is to strengthen the advancement of women in the textile industry through an interactive forum that provides education, networking and dialogue about important issues affecting women in business. The event will explore how women are contributing to the success of their organizations and the industry at large.
Whether this is your first time attending or you’ve come in the past, don’t miss out on this professional development experience!
Click the “Schedule of Events” button on the left to get a feel for what the schedule looked like last year as you start to plan!
“There is no magic to achievement. It’s really about hard work, choices and persistence.”
– Michelle Obama
| Member | Non-Member | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REGISTRATION TYPE | Early Bird until Jan. 24 |
Early Bird until Jan. 24 |
Standard after Jan. 24 |
Standard after Jan. 24 |
| Full Registration Includes all education and social events. |
$575 | $775 | $675 | $875 |
| Charleston Strolls Walk w/ History Tour (separate fee required) |
$95 | $95 | $95 | $95 |
SCAM ALERT
Dear Women In Textiles Summit Exhibitors and Attendees, Thank you for participating in Women In Textiles. Please note that we do not provide the list of Women In Textiles or any other lists of Attendees or Exhibitors to anyone. Any email solicitations you receive offering you access to the list are from rogue companies attempting to scam you. We recommend blocking the senders.
Please forward these bogus emails our way and we will send them a ‘cease and desist’ letter from ATA’s lawyer. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at Women In Textiles Summit.
Meet Your Summit Emcees
We are pleased to announce that the Women in Textiles Summit 2023 will have NEW emcees! If you don’t know them already, please meet Debbie Grant and Jenny Nichols. Debbie and Jenny will help keep the discussions going and lead networking exercises to help attendees engage with one another.
Debbie Grant
Chief of Staff, MMI Textiles
Debbie Grant has been with MMI Textiles for 12 years. Currently, she holds the role of Chief of Staff, where she oversees customer service, marketing, and IT, along with handling various additional projects. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising from Ohio State University.
Debbie has a diverse background, with more than 25 years of experience in marketing, product management, merchandising, and planning. Before MMI, Debbie worked for Cole Vision, American Greetings, and JC Penney. She leads an active lifestyle outside of work that includes biking, snow skiing, waterskiing, and enjoying the outdoors with her dogs. Her proudest accomplishment is being the mother of her grown son and daughter. She lives in Rocky River, Ohio, and loves the Buckeye State.
Jenny Nichols, MBA Candidate
Global Marketing Manager – Engineered Coated Fabrics, Trelleborg
Jenny Nichols has been growing and developing at Trelleborg’s engineered coated fabrics business unit since 2017. As Global Marketing Manager, she collaborates with several cross-functional sales and development teams to create strategic marketing plans and deliverables across various industries, such as Defense, Aerospace, Safety, Marine, and Outdoor & Recreation. Her passion is storytelling and building relationships. She helps small businesses with their marketing under her LLC in her spare time and fosters dogs with a local rescue. She’s raising two strong-willed female toddlers and currently working towards her MBA in Digital Brand Communications at Clemson University.
Jenny lives in South Carolina but was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. One of her favorite women empowerment quotes comes from country singer, actress, Dollywood founder, and Tennessee’s sweetheart, Miss Dolly Parton: “I look like a woman, but I think like a man. I’ve done business with men who think I’m as silly as I look. By the time they realize I’m not, I’ve got the money and gone.”
Your Summit Experience
Here’s your chance to join a gathering of minds determined to play a part in our industry evolution. Here’s what you can expect:
Daily programming
Discover a new landscape through thought-leadership, panel discussions, skill building seminars, story-telling sessions and other surprises!
Conversation spaces
Step into casual conversations, valuable networking and richer discussions designed to inspire creative ideas.
Meals and events
Enrich your experience and engage with a new network of female leaders during shared meals and lively receptions.
What do attendees say
“The Summit was inspiring and overall, remarkable. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by strong, independent individuals that were so motivating. I think everyone walked away with new goals and perspectives to help them on their career paths!”
– Courtney Amos, Narroflex, Inc.
“This was my first time attending the Women in Textiles Summit with ATA. It was an enlightening few days where I was able to engage and spend time with some of the brightest women in textiles. I feel like I have expanded my network within the industry and retained a few new tools that will help me be a better asset to my company and my career in the long term. I can’t wait for next year!”
– Charlotte Ross, MBA, Tietex International, Ltd.
“This year’s Women in Textiles Summit exceeded expectations and proved to be inspirational, motivational and richly informative. I enjoy the camaraderie and sense of community and collaboration that is present throughout the event. The speakers were dynamic, the activities were engaging and the participants and organizers are incredible women, to say the least. I’m encouraged by the drive, passion and integrity that gathers for this event and grateful to have the chance for myself and my colleagues to be a part of it.”
– Robin Ritz, InCord, Ltd.
“The conference was great – a good mix of inspiring people and knowledge. I think we all learned something, whether it be how to be more effective and confident leaders, or how to handle the various situations and people we all come across in our workplace. The networking/social aspect of this year’s conference was also a good mix of business and pleasure, encouraging new relationships and bringing together people from a wide range of textile businesses that might not normally connect. I met many amazing women, with whom i look forward to staying in contact, and hope to see again next year!”
– Mary Reardon, TWEAVE, Inc.