Welcome to the 2012 Global Summit
February 22, 2012 You have likely heard the news of the Inaugural Cotton International 2012 Global Summit this April in Bangkok, Thailand with the announcements in the weekly CI e-newsletter and other news sources around the world. The Global Summit brochure, riding along with this edition and further information inside provide many more of the details. I would like to share a perspective on the mission of the Global Summit and extend a personal invitation to attend.
Our industry is at an inflection point; a seminal moment in cotton’s storied history. Unprecedented volatility and uncertainty, with dramatic and abrupt shifts in prices, supply and demand coupled with external factors such as governmental and trade directives, prolonged geopolitical tensions, and persistent economic turmoil are seemingly the new normal. And so the theme for this edition “Bold Leadership for Volatile Times”, bringing together industry voices and thought leaders from around the world, to chart the path forward. The cotton and textile industries, critical to the economies of dozens of nations, face issues, interrelationships, and market altering opportunities rarely encountered in concert.
Now more than ever the link between spinners, merchants and their allied industry partners requires more cohesive and integrated business relations to navigate and succeed in these times of great opportunity. Those attune to the changing landscape, alive to the opportunities in these transformative times and ready to lead will prosper. Cotton International, the voice of the world cotton community, is launching this new global forum to bring the full industry together to seize this moment and rise to the challenge.
The 2012 Global Summit, in cooperation with ITMF and prominent spinner associations from key textile markets, together with other leading organizations around the globe, will bring together leading mills, merchants and allied industry partners from key markets to share market intelligence, best practices, and, most importantly to connect, engage, and transact business.
Spinning mills are operating in a dynamic and challenging environment with raw cotton such a vital and significant resource. Decisions on mill configuration, fibre mix, and supply contracts are now made with less certainty; the costs of mistakes more severe.
The merchant community is also operating in unchartered waters. Providing value to their mill customers through effective sourcing, assurance of quality, delivery and efficient logistics, while managing their own business and financial risks in this environment, has sharply raised the performance expectations for the merchant community.
The Cotton International 2012 Global Summit will be a forum for face-to-face communications between buyers and sellers of raw cotton and the allied industry partners that facilitate and enhance the cotton trade. The current health and long-term sustainability of the global cotton industry is best served by direct interaction among industry sectors, in a setting that encourages dialogue, relationship building, education, and the adoption of best practices. The Summit, gathering leading cotton and textile professionals from across the globe, will serve to ensure cotton’s leadership in these challenging times and its position as the world’s most popular and sustainable fibre.
I invite you to visit the Global Summit website (www.cottonglobalsummit.com) to reserve your place as attendance is limited or contact us directly if we can provide assistance with your Summit planning.
See you in Bangkok.
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