DALLAS – June 16, 2008 – Market Center Management Company (MCMC), the management company of leading wholesale trade centers and trade events around the world, today announced the first members of its West Coast team responsible for GlobalTex: LA International Textile Fair – Heather Wurst, West Coast director of sales and Jo Ann Worthington, West Coast director of operations. They will both be based in Los Angeles, Calif. GlobalTex, endorsed by the Textile Association of Los Angeles (TALA), will be held twice annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) with the first show April 28 – 30, 2009 and the following October 13 – 15, 2009.
“We are thrilled to have Heather and Jo Ann on the ground in Los Angeles to help lead the way for GlobalTex,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Market Center Management Company. “They both have an extensive background in the wholesale industry, and we look forward to building the best international textile show in the country.”
Heather Wurst comes to Market Center Management Company from the California Market Center where she spent more than eight years and held roles in leasing, retail relations and special events. She brings significant experience to her role as West Coast director of sales for GlobalTex. Heather will be responsible for the daily leasing efforts of the textile show and the strategic direction of its leasing programs. She will report to Stephanie Cole, vice president of apparel leasing for MCMC.
Jo Ann Worthington joins the MCMC team from GES Exposition Services where she served as director of sales for Los Angeles overseeing the sales functions and strategy for the company. Prior to GES, Jo Ann was vice president of western region sales for LA Inc., The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau. Throughout her more than 15 years at LA Inc. she generated over $265 million in total economic value of convention business for Los Angeles. Jo Ann will handle the West Coast operations for GlobalTex and report to Robbie Armstrong, vice president of trade shows and exhibitor services for MCMC.
GlobalTex will be led by a team of accomplished staff in Los Angeles with support from the central office in Dallas. With extensive experience in developing and managing large-scale exhibitions globally, the staff will be instrumental in managing the show and recruiting both manufacturers and buyers domestically and internationally. The staff is already in discussions with key international groups of manufacturers in Asia, Europe and South America. This effort will be essential to creating a show successful on a global standard while increasing TALA’s commitment to the textile industry.
The textile show will launch as the largest apparel fabrics and materials show in the United States and on par with the best designed international shows in Europe and Asia. The show will offer buyers a complete market for their sourcing needs including fabric, trimmings, supplies and technology.
About MCMC
Market Center Management Company (MCMC) is an international market center and tradeshow management company based in Dallas, Texas. MCMC and its owner, Crow Holdings, own or manage market centers on four continents – Asia (ShanghaiMart), Europe (Brussels International Trade Mart), North America (Dallas Market Center), and South America (LatinAmerican Trade Mart) totaling 16 million feet, more than any other single company. In the United States, MCMC manages the world’s largest wholesale merchandise mart – Dallas Market Center. Within the MCMC marts, retailers from around the globe source products ranging from home furnishings, gifts, decorative accessories and lighting to textiles, fashion accessories and apparel. With dozens of trade events each year attended by hundreds of thousands of retail buyers from all 50 states and more than 84 countries, MCMC trade events offer hundreds of events and seminars geared toward helping retailers expand business and increase profits. MCMC’s U.S. Web site is available at www.dallasmarketcenter.com.
About TALA
The Textile Association of Los Angeles (TALA), founded in 1944, is a membership-based group of professionals engaged in textile sales, manufacturing, related products and services to the apparel industry. The association provides education, networking opportunities and resource information services locating textiles, related products and services within the apparel industry. The association provides services through its office, annual directory, and numerous networking events and opportunities, to members and the wider fashion (apparel) community. The association also provides scholarships to talented future designers and fashion related careers and holds community events (including a holiday party) for inner-city youth.
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