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2025 SPESA Executive Conference
August 27-29, 2025 | Chicago, IL
2025 SPESA Executive Conference
Join SPESA in Chicago for its 2025 Executive Conference, taking place August 27-29 at the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile.
The event will kick off with a welcome networking reception on the evening of August 27th; followed by a full day of educational sessions and more networking events on the 28th; and, to conclude, an interactive workshop-style session for all attendees on the 29th.
Click here to register for the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference
Click here to book your room at the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
Click here to explore sponsorship opportunities for the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference
Please see below for a look at the event topics, speakers, and announcements. If you have any additional questions about the event, please contact Maggie@spesa.org or Marie@spesa.org. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!
What To Expect
The SPESA Executive Conference brings together stakeholders from across the sewn products supply chain to discuss the most pressing issues facing our industry. The content is relevant to industry suppliers, manufacturers, brands, and retailers. SPESA events are all about audience engagement. Even though we are packing in a lot of education, the event is designed to feel casual and intimate, allowing attendees to be part of the conversation.
The overarching theme for this year's event is Forging Forward - Building Resilient, Future-Ready Businesses
We're operating in a time of uncertainty — from fluctuating markets to geopolitical concerns to supply chain disruptions. Yet, despite hurdles on the horizon, the sewn products industry has remained resilient. For the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference, we’d like to lean into that resiliency by providing conference attendees with the tools, insights, and inspiration needed to prevail.
While many of the topics we will discuss in Chicago have global applications, this particular event will have a strong focus on growing and supporting U.S. manufacturing.
Topics to be discussed include:
Resilience Through Headwinds: Building a Chicago-Based Brand
Circularity: Building a Product Meant To Last
Made in America & Ethical Manufacturing
Artificial Intelligence: How AI Is Changing The Way Products Are Created; What Will AI Do for Brands in the Future; What Are the Implications for Global Manufacturing; and How Might Tariffs Accelerate the Use of AI in Sourcing and Production
A Discussion on Automation & Efficiency
An Update on Trade & Tariffs for the Sewn Products Industry
Succession Planning: Prepare for the Future of Your Business
Quantifying the Creative Process: Leveraging Data to Implement New Technologies, Advocate for Balance
The Skill of Adapting, Evolving, Transforming in the Face of Disruption.
A detailed agenda will be available soon.
Speaker Highlights
Why Chicago
The SPESA Executive Conference takes place in a new location every year. We love the opportunity to explore a new region and new market, and make new connections in every city we visit. Plus, it keeps it exciting! Even for our returning attendees, there is always something new to learn and someone new to meet at every SPESA event.
Below are a few of the key reasons why Chicago is an ideal host city for SPESA’s next Executive Conference:
A Historic Hub for Manufacturing: Chicago has long been a powerhouse of American manufacturing, with a legacy of skilled labor, industrial innovation, and a deep-rooted supply chain infrastructure that continues to support sewn product and textile production.
Reemerging Fashion Capital: Chicago’s fashion ecosystem is gaining momentum, fueled by a new wave of independent designers, small-batch manufacturers, and sustainable fashion entrepreneurs — making it an exciting center for industry transformation and innovation.
Central Gateway for North American Trade: Chicago’s strategic central location offers direct access to major markets across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico — making it a convenient, connected, and collaborative meeting ground for soft goods professionals.
Cross-Sector Innovation: Chicago’s fashion and sewn product sectors intersect with booming industries such as tech, logistics, and sustainability — creating rich opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation.
Cultural & Design Capital: With a globally recognized arts and design scene, Chicago offers an inspiring backdrop for conversations on creativity, craftsmanship, and the future of fashion manufacturing.
Registration & Prices
All conference attendees must register in advance. Prices are listed below exclusive of tax and fees.*
SPESA Members: $899
Non-Members: $999
Academia/Government: $650
Spouses/Partners (attending receptions only): $275
Are you a brand, retailer, or manufacturer? SPESA members have a discount code for you! Reach out to your favorite SPESA member supplier or Maggie@spesa.org and Marie@spesa.org to learn more.
*Please note: These prices are valid through August 21, 2025. Attendees are welcome to register up until the start of the conference, however ticket prices increase slightly in the last 7 days leading up to the event. This helps cover the added venue costs due to last-minute headcount changes, and hopefully protects our team's sanity just a little bit.
Click here to register for the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference
Location & Schedule
The 2025 SPESA Executive Conference is taking place August 27-29 at the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile.
Here is the tentative schedule of events for the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference:
Wednesday, August 27th
2-5 p.m. | SPESA Board Meeting (Board Members Only)
6-7:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception at the Maria Pinto Boutique
Thursday, August 28th
9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Educational Sessions
6:30-9:30 p.m. | Networking Reception
Friday, August 29th
9-11 a.m. | Interactive Workshop Session
SPESA has secured a discounted rate of $279 at the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile for conference attendees. This rate will be available until August 5, 2025, or until rooms run out.
To get the most out of your event attendance, we suggest you plan to arrive in Chicago by the afternoon of August 27th and stay through the afternoon of August 29th. OR stay the weekend and enjoy a glorious long weekend in Chicago! The discounted room rate will be honored through September 2nd, as long as the hotel has availability.
Click here to book your room at the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
Sponsors
Thank you to our event sponsors for helping make this event possible!
Event Announcements & Press
Revered Chicago Designer To Speak at Upcoming SPESA Executive Conference
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Registration Opens for 2025 SPESA Executive Conference in Chicago
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SPESA to Host 2025 Executive Conference in Chicago (Just Style)
About SPESA's Executive Conference
The annual SPESA Executive Conference is a key education and networking event for SPESA members, their customers, and anyone interested in learning more about the current issues, trends, and policies impacting the global sewn products industry.
The two-day conference features a combination of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and industry case studies to provide an opportunity for attendees to both learn and engage. While our speakers are experts in their fields, no one has all the answers and thus this conference aims to build communication among both speakers and attendees to address the issues facing our industry and find solutions together. Previous topics include: workforce development; trade and tariffs; enterprise risk management; supply chain disruption; reshoring and made in U.S.A. manufacturing; textile research; and cobotics and automated technology.
And did we mention networking? SPESA’s unofficial mandate is to always provide open dialogue, open minds, and an open bar. This conference effectively balances educational sessions with more casual off-site events providing an opportunity to make both business connections and lifelong friends within the industry we all love.
In addition, each iteration of the Executive Conference is in a new city to ensure it is accessible to interested sewn products professionals from all over. So, invite your colleagues, bring your family, and make the SPESA Executive Conference part of your annual travel plans.
