CALIFORNIA – The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is set to host Sustainability in Our Industry: Moving Beyond Recycled, a crash course on sustainability in the apparel industry for staff in leadership, design, product, compliance and marketing roles.

Part of SIMA’s Speaker Series, the day will feature insights from experts, moderated discussions and more, on the topics of sustainability concepts, sustainable fibres/materials, fair labour and sustainability-driven marketing opportunities.

The organiser promises that visitors will leave with a better understanding of how experts talk about sustainability in the sector, what the hottest topics and our biggest concerns are, what solutions are readily available and utilised in the marketplace and what steps can be taken to keep up with competitors.

Featured speakers include Kim Matsoukas, senior manager of sustainability and social responsibility at Vans; Wendy Savage, director of social responsibility at traceability at Patagonia; and Megan Stoneburner Azim, director of sustainability and sourcing at Outerknown.

SIMA is not the only organisation to choose sustainability as a focus for its event. Recently, Ecotextile News reported on the Hong Kong Fashion Summit’s 2019 edition emphasising how fashion brands can be more sustainable in their day-to-day operations. And earlier this month, we also reported on Performance Days noting that the exhibitor trends forum at its next event in Munich will feature only fabrics and accessories that have proven ‘sustainable’ credentials.

Sustainability in Our Industry: Moving Beyond Recycled takes place Thursday August 22, 1-5pm at Vans HQ in Costa Mesa, California. SIMA members and retailers tickets cost US$50 per person and non-members cost US$65.

Web: sima.com