Lectra - Presenting Sponsor

Founded in 1973, Lectra is a world leader in integrated technology solutions—software, CAD/CAM hardware, and associated services—specifically designed for industries using textiles, leather, industrial fabrics, or composites to manufacture their products. It serves major world markets: fashion, automotive, furniture as well as a broad array of other industries including aeronautics, marine, wind turbine, etc. A transnational company, Lectra develops long-term relationships with its 23,000 customers in more than 100 countries. Lectra’s solutions, specific to each industry, enable customers to automate, streamline, and accelerate product design, development, and manufacturing. In the fashion industry, they make it possible to plan and manage the full life cycle of each collection while developing brands’ creative heritage.

In June 2021, Lectra acquired Gerber Technology, a USA-based company founded in 1968. Like Lectra, Gerber Technology develops software and automation solutions for fashion, automotive, furniture and other businesses across the globe. 

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Lectra's Lenny Marano will be speaking at the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference. 

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​Aptean - Experience Sponsor

Aptean brings cutting-edge fashion and apparel software solutions to companies and manufacturers hampered by inefficient legacy ERP systems, in need of efficient shop floor control (www.shopfloor.com) and looking for a modern PLM solution. It’s important to isolate data streams, manage/reduce spiraling costs and improve efficiencies & productivity in manufacturing. Aptean’s next-generation, cloud and local-based enterprise technology seamlessly helps businesses reach their full potential – accelerating and improving performance across the entire global supply chain.

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Bierrebi - Supporting Sponsor

Bierrebi is the premier partner for the automated cutting of fabric and laces, for the garment, apparel and medical industries. It has been operating globally for more than 55 years, and has its headquarters in the industrial heart of Bologna, more precisely in Sasso Marconi, Italy. It designs and manufactures automatic machines that increase production efficiencies and reduce raw material waste while improving product quality and consistency.

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Texprocess Americas - Supporting Sponsor

Co-produced by SPESA, Texprocess Americas is The Americas exhibition demonstrating the technology, capacity, technical support, and critical connections fueling the significant and evolving soft goods manufacturing engine in the western hemisphere. 

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As the largest show of its kind in the Americas, the event represents a strategic gathering point for forward-thinking brands, retailers, manufacturers, government entities, and academics to engage with and learn from some of the most influential and innovative equipment and technology suppliers, in the largest and most influential market in the world.

It’s everything you need, all in one place, to create the most efficient and effective supply chain. 
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The next Texprocess Americas will take place in Atlanta, GA, May 11-13, 2027. 

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Apparel Industry Board, Inc. (AIBI) - Event Partner

The Apparel Industry Board, Inc. (AIBI), a 501©3, is the only official organization in Illinois specifically dedicated to the needs of the sewn products industry. AIBI is comprised of the major players in Greater Chicago whose careers and business expertise span all facets of the industry including design, manufacturing, merchandising, sales, retail, marketing and finance. AIBI is here to nurture and support designers based in Greater Chicago and is constantly developing new programs to better serve and promote the industry as a whole. 

Since 1987 AIBI has assisted in establishing more than 300 apparel and sewn products companies in Chicago, helped to place hundreds of people in manufacturing jobs, and reached thousands of people to date through its mentoring and educational seminars.  It annually awards college-specific scholarships for the study of fashion design.  In 2020 AIFI joined forces with Artists' Resource Mobilization to put uniquely skilled artists in the performing arts and entertainment sector back to work while filling the community's need for PPE.​​

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Nicole Ruiz, Executive Director at AIBI, will be moderating a fireside chat during the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference. 

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The Chicago Pattern Maker - Event Partner

Xochil Herrera Scheer is the founder of The Chicago Pattern Maker, a design and product development service provider for apparel and sewn products brands. She and her team collaborate with creative partners and factories alike, and bring technical expertise, guidance, and genuine care to the pre-production process of pattern making, technical design, and prototyping. An analytic creative, she works hard to create beautiful and functional products that are ready to take to market, and works across multiple apparel categories including knit and woven sportswear, performance activewear, swim, workwear and outerwear, plus-size, and sewn accessories. 

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Xochil Herrera Scheer will be moderating a fireside chat during the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference. 

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