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SPESA Executive Conference
2026 SPESA Executive Conference
The 2026 SPESA Executive Conference will take place October 28-30 in San Antonio, TX!
Registration is now open with early bird rates available through July 31st.
A detailed agenda will be available soon. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions for speakers, topics, or activities you would like to see included in this year's event, please reach out to Marie@spesa.org and Maggie@spesa.org.
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 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.
Registration
Click here to register for the 2026 SPESA Executive Conference!
REGISTRATION RATES
SPESA Members:
$625 through July 31st; $750 August 1-October 21*
Non-Members:
$750 through July 31st; $899 August 1-October 21*
*To help alleviate the costs of last minute additions, a $100 fee will be added to tickets that are purchased within 1 week of the event.
Spouse/Partner:
$275
This ticket is meant for spouses or partners who will join the evening networking receptions. The spouse/partner must be accompanied by a registered ticket-holder. This ticket does not give access to any of the daytime activities.
Government & Academia:
$625
Please reach out to Marie@spesa.org and Maggie@spesa.org for information on how to register.
Manufacturers, brands, and retailers are also eligible for discounts at this event. Please reach out to your favorite SPESA member company or to Marie@spesa.org and Maggie@spesa.org for your discount code!
Travel & Logistics
SCHEDULE
The 2026 SPESA Executive Conference will kick off with a welcome networking reception on October 28th. We will have a full day of education (and another evening networking event) on October 29th. And then a final morning education session (with, of course, more networking) on October 30th.
To make the most of your time in San Antonio, please plan to arrive by the afternoon of Wednesday, October 28th and stay through the afternoon of Friday, October 30th.
Or bring the family and stick around for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos!
HOTEL
The conference will take place at the Hotel Valencia Riverwalk.
150 East Houston Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205
Phone: 210-227-9700
A limited number of king and double rooms are available for conference attendees at the discounted rate of $169/night.
This rate will be available through October 7, 2026, or until rooms run out. Since the event is ahead of a holiday weekend, we suggest you book your room as early as possible.
Pro tip: For $20 extra you can have two Shiners and chips and salsa waiting for you when you arrive!
Why San Antonio?
Last year, SPESA hosted our Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference in Austin, TX, and it turned out to be one of our favorite events that we have hosted. With help from the Texas Fashion Industry Initiative, and the Austin Community College Fashion Incubator we connected with local manufacturers and designers, and were in awe of the creativity and determination of those who are working to not only keep the industry alive but allow it to thrive despite enduring challenges.
The SPESA team learned two very important lessons at its Austin event:
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While Texas has become an incredible hub for technology, both in its creation and implementation, across an astounding number of different industries, its apparel, footwear, and sewn product sectors are still strongly tied to the foundation and tradition of making products by hand. And any business looking to be successful in the state must learn how to effectively balance those two worlds.
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One can never have enough breakfast tacos.
These key tenets have both inspired and helped shape the association’s plans for San Antonio.
Building on the connections we made in Austin last year, we are excited to reunite with the growing brands and manufacturers that make up the Texas fashion industry, dive deeper into the topics that are most important to the region, and develop a multifaceted event that brings the industry together.
Read more about why we chose San Antonio and what we have in store for you this October!
Sponsorships, Press & Assistance
Industry sponsorships help make SPESA events (and our open bar) possible! If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Maggie@spesa.org.
SPESA events are generally open to press. For press inquiries, please contact Maggie@spesa.org.
For any additional questions about the event, including assistance in registering, please contact Marie@spesa.org.
Check Out Our Past Executive Conferences!
Executive Conference Photos
SPESA Events
If you have any questions about SPESA or this event, please feel free to contact Maggie@spesa.org or Marie@spesa.org.