The Network Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors’ (NAUMD) hotly anticipated People, Process, & Performance Convention was by all accounts a resounding success, drawing over 400 uniform, apparel and technology professionals who were excited to unite and make valuable in-person connections. Over 200 companies were represented at last week’s event.
Held April 16-18 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta, the NAUMD Convention featured a busy showfloor with 62 exhibitors occupying 72 booth spaces spotlighting the top products of 2023. The convention attracted manufacturers, factories, mills, brands, distributors, service providers, and technology companies from 15 different countries, such as India, Bangladesh, China, Australia, Peru, Turkey, Vietnam, Spain, Canada, and the USA.
Attendees who made the trip to NAUMD welcomed the networking opportunities and expressed enthusiasm about the strong educational content presented at the show. NAUMD conventions are always something special, but the buzz this year was palpable.
“NAUMD was a great event, packed with so much knowledge and very well run. Incredible content, engaging speakers, and networking,” said Connie Copelan, senior business manager for Image Solutions Inc. “If you were not there you missed out.”
Cinday McNaull, of Invista/Cordura agreed: “Excellent networking and informational event. Balance of show, symposium, and networking events was spot on.”
First timers were impressed too. “This was my first time attending and I absolutely loved it. Everyone was super friendly, the speakers were amazing and overall convention was great,” said one attendee.
Powerful Agenda, Exhibits
The morning education sessions included topics that reinforced the convention’s People, Process and Performance theme. New to this year’s lineup was Tuesday’s technology demos, a well-attended session that offered a glimpse at the latest in AI powered body modeling, product information management software, online stores and much more.
The afternoons, as always, were devoted to the exhibits. Here again, both vendors and distributors gave NAUMD high marks. “I will certainly be recommending attendance to both our vendor partners, and colleagues in the industry,” said Rhiannon Mcmahan of Midsouth Solutions. “There were several of my vendors that had products displayed I was unaware of, the software companies we utilize were present and able to work us through some glitches, but most of all it was a great reminder that there are solutions and help out there. I felt it was the most rewarding conference I have attended, meaningful in both business growth and networking.”
David Burnette, whose company Lion/Elbeco exhibited, agreed. “It’s always good seeing everyone and networking with the dealers and vendors in attendance,” And Dan Mendelson of Unitex Direct summed up the sentiment more succinctly: “Great. Excellent networking and exhibits.”
NAUMD concluded the convention with its popular awards dinner, where the association honored the winners of this year’s Image of the Year, Best Dressed Public Safety and Innovation Awards. Over 200 convention goers attended the gala that handed out 40 awards in a record one hour forty-five minutes. The streamlined format reduced the lengthy written introductions and turned the spotlight where it belonged – on the honorees. The brevity also allowed attendees to linger and network a bit longer.
The Best Place to Network
No talk of NAUMD would be complete without underscoring its number one benefit: networking. You can connect in a variety of ways, of course, but there simply is no substitution for face to face interaction. And nobody does it better than NAUMD, according to this year’s convention attendees:
“Very well organized and had a lot of opportunities to build a good network,” said Dulip Venturi, Sav Sourcing LLC. “It is not only business relationships but meeting a lot of nice people.”
“It was my first time participating and the overall impression I am carrying is fantastic,” agreed Mohsin Bokhari, Sapphire Finishing Mills Ltd. “A great platform for the uniform industry where a network helps build each other’s business, educates on newness & technology, helps address common problems of industry.”
Mark Williams of AMWEAR USA noted that you can learn quite a bit and gain new opportunities: “I had a great time, and the networking experience was good.”
And Thomas Ronco of ICM summed up what we at NAUMD have always known: “Excellent. If in the uniform business this is the best place to network.”
