All sessions take place at the The LOOM (161 N. Grant Avenue, Columbus) unless otherwise noted.

​

Learn more about each speaker by clicking on their names below.

 

​

April 13, 2026

 

2:00 - 5:00 p.m. | SPESA Board Meeting (SPESA Board Members Only)

Assembly Board Room

The Junto Hotel

77 Belle St.

​

6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Welcome Reception

Brass Eye Rooftop Bar

The Junto Hotel
77 Belle St.
Get a head start on your networking at this welcome networking reception!

​​

​

​

April 14, 2026

 

8:30 - 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast & Registration
Grab a quick bite and settle in!

​

9:00 - 9:20 a.m. | Welcome

• Michael McDonald, SPESA​

 

9:20 - 9:30 a.m. | ISAIC Honors Announcement

• Lionel Vargas Cruz, Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC)

​

9:30 - 10:00 a.m. | Fireside Chat | Technology & Talent

Over the years, the SPESA Advancements Conference has taught us that investment in innovation will only be successful if it runs parallel to an investment in people. Diving into the intersection of technology and talent, Todd Corley, Chief People and Impact Officer at Carhartt, will provide unique insight into how companies can strengthen their workforce while also navigating the future of advanced manufacturing.

• Todd Corley, Carhartt, with Michael McDonald

​

10:00 - 10:45 a.m. | Industry in Focus: Turning Great Ideas into Profitable, High Quality Products

The Sourcing Gals give attendees a crash course on strategies to boost profits, build stronger vendor relationships, and take the guesswork out of creating quality products — without the overwhelm.

• Jackie Hutson & Erin Souder, The Sourcing Gals

​​

10:45 - 11:00 a.m. | Break

​

11:00 - 11:45 a.m. | Panel | Robotics & Automation

Led by the legendary SPESA member Frank Henderson, this panel seeks to provide attendees with “a roadmap for the future” when it comes to building automation into your manufacturing processes. We will discuss the physical tools that can be integrated to maximize the potential of your workforce and operations, focusing on robotics, NextGen process technology, and lean manufacturing.

 

Speakers:

• Frank Henderson, Henderson Sewing Machine, Co.

• Michael Mayr, silana​

​

Moderator:

• Michael McDonald, SPESA

​

11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Fireside Chat | Technology & Traceability

Mastering Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting and compliance is not only a plus for your company’s global brand and reputation, it is necessary to avoid costly customs delays and problems with increasing government requirements. This session will touch on the need for supply chain transparency and traceability and  solutions that offer visibility and control at every stage of your manufacturing process, from raw materials to finished products.

• Roberto Mangual, Avantex, with Michael McDonald

​​

12:15 - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch

​

1:00 - 1:45 p.m. | Panel | AI & the Sewn Products Industry
You can’t escape a conversation about advancements in technology without talking Artificial Intelligence (AI). By embracing AI, manufacturers can achieve greater business efficiency, accelerate operational success, and create a competitive advantage in their respective markets.

​

To kick off the second half of our conference, we will bring to the stage three industry leaders to share examples of AI applications that can be used from the desk to the factory floor.

 

Speakers:

• Ricardo Carranca, Mind Technology

• Justin Hershoran, Aptean

• Carlos Jimenez, Lectra

 

Moderator:

• Michael McDonald, SPESA

​​

1:45 - 2:00 p.m. | Break

Use this time to find a good seat for our group discussion!

 

2:00 - 2:30 p.m. | Group Discussion 

Let’s get a little mid-day energy booth with an interactive group discussion on real-world use cases of AI across the sewn product and manufacturing industries. We will discuss where we are now, where we are headed, and what we need to get there.

​

2:30 - 3:15 p.m. | Panel | To Be Sewn or Not To Be Sewn

This panel will discuss manufacturing processes that utilize methods other than traditional sewing; designing production systems that improve throughput, stabilize labor inputs, and enable economically viable domestic manufacturing.

 

Speakers:

• Cam Myers, CreateMe

• James Ryan, H. B. Fuller Company

• Glenn Moore, Nordson Corporation

 

Moderator:

• Michael McDonald, SPESA

​​​​

3:15 - 3:45 p.m. | Networking Break

​

3:45 - 4:15 p.m. | Threads of Change | Woven in Columbus

While the powerhouses of New York and Los Angeles may get most of the attention, Columbus is the Midwestern heart of the U.S. fashion industry. We’ll discuss the challenges and opportunities of the local industry and fashion’s role as a powerful medium for storytelling, cultural expression, and inclusion.

• Aditi Bhatiya, Passport 2 Fashion, with Michael McDonald

​

4:15 - 5:15 p.m. | Panel | The Future of Columbus Manufacturing

Did you know that Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus is one of the world's only cargo-focused airports? And Rickenbacker’s Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) is a leader in the country for the movement of apparel and footwear? 

​

Crafted by our new friends at the Columbus Fashion Alliance, this panel will dive into the tangible support behind Ohio’s fashion community and the infrastructure that paves the way for advanced manufacturing. Touching on workforce training, repair manufacturing, and distribution, we will chat about the initiatives — some already in the works and some that need your help — that are creating unique opportunities for the sewn products industry in the region.

​

Speakers:

• Lisa Goldsand, Circular Thrift

• Jo Miller, South Central Ohio Workforce Partnership

• Bryan Schreiber, Columbus Regional Airport Authority, Rickenbacker International Airport Authority

 

Moderator:

• Yohannan Terrell, Columbus Fashion Alliance

​​

5:15 - 5:30 p.m. | Wrap-Up

• Michael McDonald, SPESA

​

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Networking Reception

Pins Mechanical Co.

141 N. 4th St.

Join us for a short walk down the street to round out the day with some final networking and cocktails.

​

​​

​

*Our speakers provide an incredible wealth of knowledge to the sewn products industry, and thus, are very busy. Speakers and topics are subject to change.

​

For any questions about the agenda or event, please contact Marie@spesa.org or Maggie@spesa.org.

​

​

​Return to main event page.