SPESA to Host 2023 Executive Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 30 & 31, 2023

By SPESA

The Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA) will host its annual Executive Conference Thursday, March 30, and Friday, March 31, at the iconic Caribe Hilton located in the Condado neighborhood, just a short ride from historic Old San Juan. The two-day event will bring together industry professionals for learning, networking, and the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of San Juan.

“Puerto Rico is a fascinating place for the sewn products industry. It represents both a strong Made in America manufacturing base while, in many ways, also serving as the gateway to the Latin America and Caribbean regions,” said SPESA President Michael McDonald. “It is one of the most dynamic economies for the sewn products industry, and we’re looking forward to seeing firsthand how Puerto Rico continues to thrive even during challenging times.”

The conference will kick off with a keynote address from Jonathan Fantini Porter, Executive Director and CEO of the Partnership for Central America (PCA). PCA is the coordinating body of the White House public-private partnership launched by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in 2021. In its first six months, the partnership mobilized $1.2 billion in foreign direct investment and launched programs supporting 20 million people, including nearshoring more than $150 million in manufacturing supply chains to the Americas. The 2023 Executive Conference will feature a combination of keynote addresses and panel discussions that focus on challenges and opportunities facing the sewn products industry today, while also blending in topics specific to the region. These topics include advancing the manufacturing base in both Puerto Rico and the surrounding Latin American markets; shifting supply chains and the regionalization of the industry; sustainability and circularity.

In addition to education sessions, SPESA will also be hosting an offsite tour to local manufacturing facilities. This optional activity is a value-add for all registrants interested in attending. More information to come on where the offsite tour will be held.

Early bird registration for the Executive Conference is currently open. The SPESA member early bird registration rate is $625. The non-member registration rate is $675. The early bird registration deadline is Friday, February 17, at which point rates will increase by $50 per registration. Registration for both members and non-members includes all education, the offsite tour, and networking events on the evenings of March 30 and 31. A spouse rate of $275 is also available, which includes access to both networking events on the evenings of March 30 and 31.

An agenda for the 2023 Executive Conference will be available soon. Visit www.spesa.org to learn more and register for the Executive Conference.