Building Strong Networks

Building Strong Networks

When entering any industry and setting forth to build a brand identity for your company it is very important to get the help and advice from those who have come before you. The easiest way to get this help and to make sure that it is help that will be beneficial to what you are trying to accomplish, joining a trade association will be your best bet. But don’t just go and join any association join the association that best aligns with your vision for your company and brand.

After doing careful research I have taken major interest in the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). With deciding to switch our focus over to swimwear it is only relevant to assume we will be selling beach or water footwear with the bathing suits. Therefore we needed to join an association that held the interest of both areas at hand. More information on the American Apparel & Footwear Association can be found at the following website www.wewear.org. The AAFA “represents more than 1,000 world famous name brands…, and is the trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry…., and its contribution of $350 billion in annual U.S. retail sales” (www.wewear.org). These are just a few of the things that sparked my interest with the AAFA.

The AAFA participates in a number of programs and partnerships. After reading over the information about the various opportunities that AAFA offers to its members the tradegood program which more information can be located at https://www.wewear.org/tradegood/

 caught my attention. With all the replicas that enter into the fashion industry on a yearly basis it is becoming harder for companies to come out and brand themselves before the fake/knock off products start to arise. With the tradegood program through the AAFA members are offered “an online marketplace where responsible buyers and trusted suppliers in the apparel and footwear industry can connect in order to maximize supply chain visibility” (www.wewear.org/tradegood). This program offers some of the following benefits to the AAFA members:

·      Discover and connect with suppliers by accessing the database for screening and matching.

·      Supply chain visibility with no blind spots, total clarity over every link in the chain.

·      Assistance with searches to locate factories that meet your criteria.

There are many more benefits to joining the AAFA and various other associations. To find out more information research the professional trade associations dealing with your specific industry. At this time I am looking to join the AAFA so that not only will I be offered industry protections but also build a stronger network of connections, and gain insight to various industry topics.