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Longtime and first-time Outlook® conference attendees agreed: This year’s Advanced Textiles Association event (this year newly minted as the Outlook Leadership Conference) at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., June 2–4, succeeded on all fronts, from the expanded offerings to the different type of venue than in past decades.
Attendees deemed the education sessions full of key takeaways that could be immediately implemented or could inform long-term planning. The speakers’ topics included information ranging from tariffs, leadership skills and supply chain effects to marketing, artificial intelligence and innovation.
“I particularly enjoyed the presenters and the opportunity to connect with both existing and potential new customers,” says first-time attendee Chris Persson, vice president of sales and marketing, Drake Industries, Ridgeway, Va. “The economics and trade updates were very insightful as well; I’m always trying to better understand the market and the impact of global macroeconomics.”
The schedule included two tracks during the morning of the full day of sessions. People could attend the Military Morning, a longtime stalwart of the conference, or a two-hour leadership development workshop, which was a new feature this year. It was given by executive coach and CEO Steve Baue, who also presented a leadership session for all attendees. The Military Morning’s leadership content related to veterans as a part of the workforce and the skills they bring.
The education sessions’ timely topics spurred many discussions among industry professionals throughout the days of the event, which started with a golf outing and opening reception then transitioned into a day and a half of sessions and additional networking opportunities.
“As a first-time attendee, I found the Outlook Leadership Conference to be a standout experience,” says Travis Conlon, director of sales for TVF, Carmel, Ind. “The mix of sessions, peer discussions and industry insights was not only energizing but also deeply relevant to the strategic challenges and opportunities we’re facing at TVF. Not to mention the location—Lambeau Field added a unique and memorable backdrop that elevated the entire experience.
“What stood out most was the quality of conversations,” he continues, “both in and outside the sessions. I appreciated the opportunity to meet so many professionals in person and walk away with fresh perspectives I’ll be applying back at our company. I’ll absolutely be making this event a fixture on our leadership calendar going forward.”
Ted Fetterman, vice president, sales and marketing, Bally Ribbon Mills, Bally, Pa., says he enjoys conferences such as Outlook for the dedicated time to learn from others via their challenges and success stories and “to obtain and evaluate new ideas. I look at it as creative time. … Taking time to think is one of the most important activities I do as a textile leader. All of my notes I bring back are all about things I have to look up for additional learning or things that I want to try or evaluate for my team.”
In the past, the event rotated around the country but took place at a resort. Hosting it at a completely different type of venue in the Upper Midwest brought a fresh take to the conference, and having leadership development sessions enabled companies to send employees from a larger variety of divisions or career levels.
“I think all of the efforts to rebrand Outlook as a leadership conference and change up the setting paid off,” says longtime attendee Will Cromer, MMI Textiles, Brooklyn, Ohio, and vice chairman of the ATA Military Division Advisory Board. The Military Division and U.S. Industrial & Narrow Fabrics Institute organized the event. “Everyone I spoke to really enjoyed the venue, and the feedback I got on all of the presenters was really good as well. I thought the Military Morning content was great and that just set the tone for the overall conference.”
To keep up-to-date on Advanced Textiles in-person and online events, please see our event calendar.