CCI Summit To Attract World's Top Cotton Buyers

August 02, 1999

MEMPHIS - Some 200 of the world's leading cotton buyers - including many of U.S. cotton's top customers -- are expected to gather in Arizona, Nov. 18-21, for a world-class promotional event designed to showcase U.S. cotton fiber.

The "Sourcing USA Summit," hosted by Cotton Council International (CCI) and Cotton Incorporated, will be held at the Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale.

CCI, the export promotions arm of the Memphis-based National Cotton Council (NCC), has a mission of developing, maintaining and expanding overseas markets for U.S. cotton in all its forms, including manufactured cotton products.

"This unique event will give foreign buyers opportunities to strengthen partnerships with U.S. exporters," said CCI President Paul Ruh. "Additionally, it will provide all participants insights into requirements for competing in the global marketplace in the next millennium."

Attendees, representing some 35 countries, will benefit from seven "business forums" focusing on: 1) meeting customer needs, 2) supply chain management, 3) U.S. cotton's commitment to quality, 4) U.S. cotton's commercial advantages, 5) improving mill efficiency, 6) risk management and 7) economic and trade policy trends.

Specific topics will focus on U.S. and world supply and demand; global economic trends affecting trade in cotton fiber, textiles and apparel; current trade issues such as the agreement on textiles and clothing, the Caribbean Basin Initiative and the World Trade Organization; managing business and financial risks in a turbulent world; consumer lifestyle and fashion trends. There also will be a visit to a local gin and USDA's local classing office and reviews of new state-of-the-art fiber production, testing and processing technology and equipment.

Featured speakers include: Thomas A.W. Miller, senior vice president, Roper Starch Worldwide; Ted Sattler, group executive vice president, Phillips van Heusen Corporation; and James J. Bowe, President, New York Board of Trade; along with invited speakers from Wal-Mart, Ralph Lauren Inc. and Chase Manhattan Bank.

Key U.S. cotton industry leaders add their expertise to the program as well, including NCC President Ron Rayner; NCC Vice Presidents Kenneth Hood and Robert Greene; NCC Board Advisor Thomas W. Smith; CCI President Ruh and CCI Chairman Bruce Groefsema; Cotton Foundation Chairman Ted Pierce; American Cotton Producers Chairman Allen Helms, Jr.; Cotton Incorporated Chairman Hugh Summerville; American Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) President Thomas F. Malone, Jr.; and ACSA first vice president Joseph Walker, II; along with top staff from NCC, CCI, Cotton Incorporated and USDA.

Official industry sponsors of the Sourcing USA Summit include: CALCOT; Paul Reinhart, Inc.; Allenberg Cotton. Co.; Hohenberg Bros. Company; Weil Brothers-Cotton, Inc.; SWIG (Southwestern Irrigated Cotton Growers Assn.); Dunavant Enterprises; Anderson Clayton Corporation and ECOM USA, Inc.

# # #

Back to Press Release index