Detailed Summit Agenda

A women standing in front of a wall of fabric roles of different sizes contemplating the implications of her choice.

Below is the detailed agenda from the inaugural Global Footwear and Apparel Traceability Summit in Portland, Oregon, October 17-18, 2024.

Welcome Reception

Thursday, October 17
6:00–9:00 p.m.
McMenamins Mission Theater, 1624 NW Gilsan St, Portland, OR 97209
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6:00–7:00 p.m.
Dinner
Doors open for informal networking, buffet dinner, and drinks.
 
  
7:00–8:00 p.m.
Keynote Address
  • Felicia M. Pullam (Executive Director, Office of Trade Relations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
  
8:00–9:00 p.m.
Dessert and Reception Conclusion

 

  
Global Footwear and Apparel Traceability Summit

Friday, October 18
7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
2nd Floor Event Space, Campus Center, UO Portland Campus, 2800 Liberty Street, Portland, OR 97211
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7:30–8:30 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast
Doors open for attendee check-in; light breakfast and coffee served.
 
  
8:30–8:45 a.m.
Welcome and Summit Overview
An overview of the day's agenda and goals.
  
8:45–9:15 a.m.
Opening Remarks: "Transparency: The Modern Business Imperative"
An overview of the various sustainability, human rights, and financial drivers for transparency impacting the global apparel and footwear industry and their suppliers.
  • Jay Golden (Director, Dynamic Sustainability Lab, Syracuse University)
  
9:15–9:25 a.m.
Break
 
  
9:25–10:25 a.m.
Panel Session 1: "Current and Emerging Regulatory Frameworks"
Governments have been rapidly developing increasing regulatory requirements for transparency into the supply chain with a special focus on human rights and forced labor, as well as diversity, equity, and fair wages. This panel will discuss the current and emerging regulatory frameworks and how systems for traceability are needed.
  • Moderator: Jay Golden (Director, Dynamic Sustainability Lab, Syracuse University)
  • Karen Lobdell (Senior Manager, Product, Thomson Reuters, ONESOURCE Global Trade)
  • Kevin Myette (Director, Global Brand Services, bluesign technologies)
  
10:25–10:35 a.m.
Break
 
  
10:35 a.m.–noon
Panel Session 2: "Traceability Scope and Evidence"
What are the requirements to comply to existing and emerging legislation? How far back into the supply chain will we need to focus? What are the types of evidence that will be required to satisfy the emerging legislation?
  • Moderator: Lorrie Vogel (Founder and President, ImagineNOW LLC | Pro Tem Instructor, University of Oregon)
  • Garry Bell (President, Chasing Better Consultants)
  • Eric Parsons (Director, Sustainability, Ching Luh Group)
  • Krista Rickman (Commercial Strategic Lead, Cargill Cotton)
  • James Snider (Assistant Center Director, Enforcement Division, Apparel, Footwear, and Textile Center, U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
  
noon–12:50 p.m.
Lunch and Keynote Address
Boxed lunches served.
  • Noel Kinder (Former Chief Sustainability Officer, Nike)
  
12:50–1:00 p.m.
Break
 
  
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Panel Session 3: "Tools and Technologies for Managing Traceability"
Are there ways that the industry can collaborate to lower the burden on suppliers by harvesting evidence in a consistent, transparent, and trusted manner? What are the emerging ways AI, machine learning, and blockchain are being used?
  
2:00–2:10 p.m.
Break
 
  
2:10–2:45 p.m.
Group Discussion: "Where Do We Go from Here?"
Attendees review notes taken throughout the day and add any additional ideas to the board.
  • Moderator: Ellen Schmidt-Devlin (Cofounder, Sports Product Management Program, University of Oregon)
  • Moderator: Lorrie Vogel (Founder and President, ImagineNOW LLC | Pro Tem Instructor, University of Oregon)
  
2:45–3:45 p.m.
Formation of Working Groups
Attendees join working groups around their key area of interest as panel moderators facilitate conversations around the questions: Where do we need more research? Who are other organizations working in this space that we can partner with?
 
  
3:45–4:15 p.m.
Call to Action: "Moving the Industry Forward"
Within the industry, we are witnessing a tapestry of strategies, technologies, and investments by companies, industry associations, and NGOs. This session will open up to a larger all-room discussion exploring how the industry—including members of the value chain—can work together to streamline efforts and effectively meet the growing challenges of traceability.
  • Moderator: Lorrie Vogel (Founder and President, ImagineNOW LLC | Pro Tem Instructor, University of Oregon)
  
4:15–4:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Information on follow-up actions and the next iteration of the summit.
 
  
4:30–6:00 p.m.
Networking Mixer and Happy Hour
An informal networking session with drinks and snacks.