At the beginning of May, I traveled to New York City for Fashion Group International’s annual Regional Director’s Conference. Each year, the group gathers its Directors and key board members to hear from dynamic speakers, discuss timely industry topics and to connect with other chapters to talk about challenges and opportunities facing our regions.
This year, the theme “Survival of the Fittest….Navigating the New Economy,” was relevant for all of us. Speakers and panelists included: Ruben and Isabel Toledo; Kate Greene, VP of Marketing, Givaudan; Lynne Ronon, HSN; Heather Kaminetsky, Director of Internet Marketing, Barney’s; Denise Seegal, FashInvest; Andrew Dent VP, Library and Materials Research, Material ConneXion, Inc.; Harry Slatkin, Slatkin & Company; Frances Cole Jones, author “How to Wow”; Sharon Graubard, SVP Trend Analysis, Stylesight; Milan Milasinovic, Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education at LIM. To top that off, we had a delightful tour of the latest installation at Museum at FIT from Dr. Valerie Steele, and a dinner and Merit Awards presentation at the historic Cosmopolitan Club.
What I enjoy most about this conference is meeting the most dynamic, creative, intelligent and inspiring women, who are all pursuing their dreams in the fashion industry. Each has a unique personality and an interesting story of entrepreneurship and business success. Following are just a small few of the women I had the pleasure of spending time with at the conference (in addition to my outstanding board members – Elizabeth Kincaid-White and Bethany Beckham who were with me at the conference and who I failed to capture any photos of??!)
With my FGI Chicago friends, Monique Kielar and Susy Damon
Love the girls from FGI Kansas City, Laura McGrew and Carman Stalker
L-R: Tarah Perini, Seattle; Anne Agoren, London; Susan Aleveshere, Seattle; Shelley Kidwell, St. Louis; Monique Kielar and Susy Damon, Chicago
These inspiring women, and all the talented people I meet in Detroit are the reason I love being a part of FGI. I’m so proud to be leading the Detroit chapter and look forward to our group continuing to bring timely fashion information and business intelligence to Detroit’s rising talent.
If you haven’t looked in to membership with FGI yet, I encourage you to attend one of our upcoming networking events – its a great way to get to know us and see how we can help you grow your business or connect with other industry professionals (in Detroit and globally).
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