What you can expect
KARL MAYER North America invites you to our 2nd annual Textiles Innovation Conference. Our aim is to connect the textile supply chain so brands can compete and win with American-made products.
We hope you can join us June 25-27, 2024 to hear from leading textile brands. Register to attend the conference and build upon the success of our inaugural event in 2023.
Speakers Spotlight
We will feature keynote speakers from various brands, ranging from Apparel and Footwear to Furniture and Automotive industries.
On Day 1, we are honored to have New Balance deliver the keynote address.
New Balance
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA, has the following purpose: Independent since 1906, we empower people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. Manufactured in the U.S. for more than 75 years and representing a limited portion of our U.S. sales, New Balance MADE U.S. is a premium collection that contains a domestic value of 70% or greater. New Balance owns five factories in New England and one in Flimby, U.K. New Balance employs 8,000 associates around the globe, and in 2022 reported worldwide sales of $6.5 billion. To learn more about New Balance, please visit www.newbalance.com and for the latest press information please visit newbalance.newsmarket.com.
On Day 2, we are honored to have Kenny Wilsey – Sourcing Director at Dillard’s – deliver the keynote address.
About Kenny Wilsey
For the past 22 years, Kenny has served as Director of Supply for Dillard's Department Store. In this role, he oversees sourcing for Dillard's private label brands spanning men's, women's, and children's apparel, including sweaters, woven tops/bottoms, knit tops/bottoms, and outerwear. Collaborating closely with technical, quality assurance and operations teams, Kenny ensures adherence to quality standards and social compliance requirements.
In addition to his sourcing responsibilities, Kenny leads ongoing training initiatives for sweater designers and technicians. He also conducts seasonal evaluations of factories to uphold quality standards. Prior to his tenure at Dillard’s, Kenny held the position of Vice President of Manufacturing at Perry Ellis, Quality Manager at Structure, and Design Director at STOLL America.
We are also happy to present Allison Hicks – Lead Knit Engineer at Under Armour – as keynot speaker at our Textiles Innovation Conference.
About Allison Hicks
Allison Hicks is a Lead Knit Engineer at Under Armour who combines knitting expertise with creative enthusiasm to innovate and improve performance footwear, apparel, and accessories. As part of the Materials Science team, she engineers technical solutions at the fiber, yarn, and textile level. Allison has been knitting at Under Armour since 2017, contributing to bestselling Intelliknit footwear and apparel as well as new recyclable elastic yarn Neolast. A graduate of St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD, she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Textiles from NC State.
Recent projects of Under Amour are the Intelliknit FUTRxELITE basketball shoe (together with Celanese Neolast) and the development and launch of a Intelliknit wool track suit for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Hotel recommendation
We offer customers our recommended hotel. Use our corporate link for a discounted rate.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Greensboro Wendover
6011 Landmark Center Blvd.
Greensboro, NC 27407
336-560-5312
How to find us
Karl Mayer North America
310 N. Chimney Rock Rd.
Greensboro NC, 27409