Dirk Vantyghem, Director-General of the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) is announced as a keynote speaker at the PCIAW® Summit & Exhibition 2023, hosted 7-9 November 2023 at the award-winning venue – Alfandega Congress Centre, Porto, Portugal – on the bank of the iconic Douro River.
The annual PCIAW® Summit & Exhibition is organised by the Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW®) and is an educational, networking event dedicated to the international supply chain for the uniform, workwear and personal protective equipment (PPE) markets. The 2023 event is sponsored by the global workwear fabric manufacturer, Carrington Textiles.
EURATEX represents the interests of the European textile and clothing industry at the level of EU institutions, aiming to create favourable environments within the European Union for manufacturing textile and clothing products. EURATEX focuses on clear priorities, including setting an ambitious industrial policy, conducting effective research; promoting innovation and skills development; advocating for free and fair trade, whilst encouraging sustainable supply chains.
With the European Union developing new legislation around ecodesign, circularity and waste reduction, Dirk Vantyghem, EURATEX will present on the policy thinking surrounding the principles of minimum thresholds of recycled content in textiles; repairability, recyclability, microplastic pollution, supply chain transparency and the responsibility for apparel and textile waste. The presentation will feature industry leaders from the professional clothing markets to give specific insights on the practicality of conformity for the challenging areas of protective textiles.
The annual PCIAW® Summit, Exhibition & Awards event gathers global executives from the professional clothing supply chain for unique networking opportunities, advocating for partnerships and collaboration. 2023 is the first year the PCIAW® is set to host the event in Portugal, bringing people together from across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia to support the textile industry’s efforts to grow more sustainably and diversify sourcing operations.
Dirk Vantyghem, Director-General, EURATEX said: “I am delighted to talk to the PCIAW® global audience and explain what is happening in Brussels. Today, we are looking at around 20 pieces of European legislation. Concrete legislation that will change the way the textile and clothing industry operates, produces things, handles waste et cetera. I always say that the textile and fashion industries are moving from an unregulated sector to becoming a very regulated industry. We should all get ready for these changes, inside and outside the European Union”.
Yvette Ashby, CEO, PCIAW® commented: “Professional clothing is a significant part of the textile industry, supplying lifesaving equipment and identifying uniforms to the working people that keep the global economy operating. The progress toward a sustainable future is crucial and I am honoured to have Dirk Vantyghem, as a keynote speaker at the PCIAW® Summit & Exhibition to educate and help the audience navigate the movement towards a circular economy.”
The PCIAW® Summit, Exhibition & Awards event takes place over three days from 7 – 9 November 2023.
- 7 November – Textile and apparel factory tours for delegates arranged by ANIVEC the Portuguese association for clothing and apparel, a long-term partner of PCIAW®.
- 8 November – PCIAW® Summit Part 1 begins at 9:00am until 1:30pm followed by a networking lunch. The PCIAW® Exhibition begins at 1:30pm until 5pm.
- 9 November – PCIAW® Summit Part 2 begins at 9:00am until 1:00pm. The PCIAW® Exhibition begins at 1:00pm until 4pm.
- 9 November – PCIAW® Awards begins with a champagne reception at 6:00pm followed by a three-course gala dinner. The PCIAW® Awards ceremony begins at 7:30pm until 10:00pm, complete with an evening of networking and entertainment.
Buy tickets to the PCIAW® Summit, Exhibition & Awards 2023 today.
