Cotton International’s Coverage of ICA Dubai 2011
March 10, 2011 It’s easy to conduct business during the good times, when every decision is the right one and success seems assured. But when markets get volatile and uncertainty starts to creep in, frequent communication throughout the entire supply chain is the best defense against an industry-wide setback.
With the cotton market as volatile as it’s ever been, and with cotton prices on a seemingly endless ascent, a gathering of cotton and textile professionals from all corners of the globe couldn’t come at a more critical time.
That was the backdrop as the International Cotton Association (ICA) kicked off its “Dubai 2011” networking and trade event with the theme, “Open to the World.” Industry demand was so high that all 600 delegate seats were completely sold out a month before the event began.
In other words, ICA chose a perfect time and location for a meeting that brings buyers and sellers together.
“The response from the cotton industry was overwhelming,” says Kai Hughes, ICA’s managing director. “Our events are always a catalyst for bringing together the diverse range of organizations and professionals that make up our industry and this is no exception. It promises to be a very exciting and productive event.”
The goal is to help members strengthen existing business relationships and develop new trade opportunities, according to ICA President Ray Butler.
“After the Singapore event, the feedback from our delegates was very positive,” he says. “One attendee said he did more business in two days than he’d thought possible.
“People told us they wanted another networking event, and they wanted it at a location that was easily accessible to everyone in the global cotton community. Asia is the focal point of the raw cotton trade, and Dubai 2011 aims to attract the Asian market, especially from Pakistan, Bangladesh and India,” Butler adds.
Based on the geographic diversity of attendees, it’s clear that they made the right choice. “At ICA events, there are always going to be people from all over the world,” says Jess Smith & Sons CEO Ernie Schroeder, Jr. “But it’s clear just from looking at the registration list that there will be strong representation from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. I think that’s a direct result of ICA’s willingness to take their event to where the business is.”
Greg Wakefield, president of Wakefield Inspection Services, is among the biggest fans of ICA’s decision. “There is simply no replacing the ability to see what’s happening on the ground, so moving the event around the world is a great benefit,” he says. “In addition, it will draw more local buyers to the event, and that’s a huge plus for everyone who invests time and money to be there. Anything that can brings sellers into contact with buyers is welcome.”
The Next Step on the Journey
It would be easy to understand why a 170-year-old organization would be focused on tradition and proud of its past successes throughout the decades. But the ICA, despite its long and storied history, has never stopped evolving to meet the needs of its current market. Recent years have been especially busy, with changes in the term of the president, an overhaul of the Board to get better international representation, and the changing of the dues structure to increase membership, particularly among mills.
This progressive change would not be possible without continued input and support from ICA members, its committees and its Board, as Cliff White, an ICA past president and senior vice president at Olam Cotton, explains.
“Kai and I spent a lot of time on the road last year so we could talk to our members where they are,” he says. “We simply went out and asked, ‘What can the ICA do for you – as a merchant, as a spinner, as a producer?’ We didn’t expect everyone to come to see us in Liverpool.
“Unlike most of the other associations, ICA truly is global in scope – but we couldn’t just call ourselves ‘global.’ These changes are all part of the proof that ICA is an association for all cotton professionals, wherever they are in the world.”
Liverpool remains the ICA’s historical home and the intention is that the event be held there this year and from time to time in the future. October’s event will be combined with the Association’s annual general meeting – previously held in December – when all members can have their say. It will also see another change: For the first time, the presidential handover will be conducted at the Dinner in Liverpool’s prestigious St. George’s Hall.
“After Singapore, the two most-requested overseas destinations were Dubai and Hong Kong, so those are the locations of forthcoming events,” Butler says. “The popularity of our events proves that there is a demand. Open to the World, as a conference theme for Dubai, is a clear reference both to the current state of play and our ambition in the ICA. Given the volatile times we are going through, succeeding in strengthening the cotton community network would be a great service to our members.”
Numbers are the proof that ICA’s service is appreciated. “Look at the number of attendees and you’ll see how successful they are,” says Junaid Vaid, director of A.E. Mohamedy & Co. “Even some of textile mills are participating, and they haven’t traditionally attended the ICA Dinner and Trade Event in Liverpool in huge numbers. I feel it’s very important that ICA hold one such event every year.”
GET THE NEWSLETTER TODAY!
