American Apparel & Footwear Association,update

 

Wednesday, April 1 2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET | Online Register

Webinar: The Contract-to-Cash Playbook: Reducing Freight Cost Leakage

As margin pressure and tariff volatility continue to reshape global trade, importers are placing greater focus on what happens after contracts are signed. This educational session explores how leading importers are strengthening contract-to-cash discipline across international freight operations. Using practical shipper examples, the session will examine how organizations improve forecast accuracy, reduce cost leakage from misapplied contract terms, and bring greater structure to detention, demurrage, chassis, and yard storage management. The discussion will also address how procurement, logistics, and finance teams can better align around shared data to support day-to-day execution and longer-term decision-making. Attendees will gain a practical framework for identifying where cost leakage occurs, prioritizing process improvements, and applying these practices within their own international supply chains. Attendees of this webinar will learn: To identify where contract-to-cash breakdowns occur in international freight operations. Practical approaches to managing detention, demurrage, and accessorial costs. How cross-functional alignment improves cost control and vendor accountability. A practical framework for identifying where cost leakage occurs to prioritize process improvements.

Speaker: Alexandra Griffon CEO & Co-Founder BlueCargo AAFA Host: Audrey Clark Trade and Transportation Specialist AAFA

Sponsored By:

Our webinars provide the apparel and footwear industry with educational content focused on niche, innovative concepts and successful business practices. Contact AAFA Events for information about conducting an AAFA webinar. SUBSCRIBE | ABOUT | EVENTS | ADVERTISE | JOIN February 17, 2026   This week, we’re watching for the Supreme Court to issue an IEEPA tariff opinion as soon as February 20, 24, or 25. Take a moment to help us strengthen the Weekly Brief by answering this quick, one-question survey. One Question Survey Is Sustainability a Supply Chain Bottleneck? Feb. 16: ... ESPR, which outlined new measures this month and will see new requirements roll out this summer, is part of a package of measures supporting Europe’s transition to a more circular, sustainable economy. The latest measure, which dropped last week, will ban big companies from destroying unsold clothes and shoes as of July 19, 2026. The CSRD requires large EU and non-EU companies to publicly report ESG efforts, but the bureaucratic burden it brought when it took effect in 2024 was enough to prompt an agreement in December to simplify it. The provisional Omnibus agreement is currently awaiting the European Parliament’s endorsement, but once adopted, CSRD will apply to 80% fewer companies (only those with more than a thousand employees and a €450 million-plus net turnover) and push reporting that would have been due this year to 2028. (Source: Vogue Business) WATCH: Trump Rolls Back Landmark Policy Regulating Greenhouse Emissions Feb. 12: The Environmental Protection Agency has repealed its own landmark Obama era assessment that greenhouse gases threaten public health and welfare. Public health and environmental groups warn, today's changes could lead to many more premature deaths and arise in asthma attacks in the coming decades. Until today's shift, which is expected to be challenged in court, the so-called Endangerment Finding has been the legal foundation for many of the federal government's climate regulations. (Source: PBS) Climate Risks Pose Growing Threat to Fashion Profits Feb. 10: The report, titled ‘The Cost of Inaction – The Financial Risks of Delaying Decarbonization in the Apparel Industry,’ examines how escalating expenses related to carbon pricing, raw materials, and energy are expected to affect operating margins if companies delay efforts to reduce emissions. Based on data from ten major apparel brands, the report identifies three primary factors contributing to this projected decline. These include increases in carbon prices, higher costs for raw materials, and greater energy expenses. (Source: Just Style) Who Wins and Who Loses as Trade Policies Shift? Feb. 12: ... Recent United States trade measures illustrate how these shifts play out in practice. A new report from UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) examines how uneven tariff increases are affecting access to the US market and what this means for developed, developing and least developed countries. The analysis shows a more restrictive and uneven trade landscape – with clear losses for some exporters but new opportunities for others. (Source: American Journal of Transportation) Americans Are Paying the Bill for Tariffs, Despite Trump’s Claims Feb. 12: ... Research published on Thursday by economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Columbia University suggests that, through November 2025, 90 percent of the economic burden of the president’s tariffs fell on U.S. companies and consumers. The economists reviewed the “incidence” of the tariffs — who ultimately pays the cost of new import taxes. When a good is brought into the country, the importer of record, often an American company, is first responsible for paying the tariff to the U.S. government. (Source: New York Times) House Blocks Bid to Safeguard Trump’s Tariffs, Votes to End Canadian Duties Feb. 11: ...“Today’s vote sends a clear bipartisan, bicameral message, reinforcing Congress’ Article 1, Section 8 authority under the Constitution on tariffs and trade policy. This is especially important following a year of tariff whiplash, mirroring what the American public already understands: tariffs are put on the tab of American businesses and consumers, not foreign governments,” said American Apparel & Footwear Association CEO and president Steve Lamar. (Source: Sourcing Journal) Trump Officials Oust Abigail Slater as DOJ's Antitrust Chief, Sources Say Feb. 12: ...Slater didn't cite a reason for her departure in her statement on X, where she wrote, "It is with great sadness and abiding hope that I leave my role as AAG for Antitrust today." But she had lost the trust of Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter, with one source adding they felt the only way to move the president's agenda forward was through new leadership. (Source: CBS) From Dupes to Disclosure: How the Law Is Catching Up With Influencers Feb. 11: ... While dupes may avoid infringing trademarks or trade dress, legal concerns often arise from the messaging surrounding them. When influencers suggest that a budget product is identical to a luxury item, or imply equivalence through aesthetic, sensory, or performance-based claims, those representations could give rise to legal exposure. The growing reliance on influencer-driven comparisons, particularly when undisclosed or unverified, has prompted regulators to examine whether these practices mislead consumers or unfairly leverage the reputation of better-known brands. (Source: The Fashion Law) U.S. Senators Unveil Bill to Prevent Scam Ads on Social Media Platforms Feb. 4: U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego and Bernie Moreno have introduced anti-scam legislation requiring social media platforms to vet their advertisers. The bipartisan bill, called the Safeguarding Consumers from Advertising Misconduct Act, or the SCAM Act, would require social media platforms to take “reasonable steps” to combat fraudulent advertising or face legal action by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general. (Source: Reuters) Trade and customs updates: The past two weeks have brought a wave of trade developments, including updates to agreements with India, Bangladesh, and Taiwan. On Capitol Hill, Congress introduced H.J. Res. 72 — a largely symbolic but bipartisan effort to rebuke tariffs on Canada. Amid these shifting dynamics, we continue to await the Supreme Court’s decision on the lawfulness of IEEPA tariffs. The Court has now officially designated February 20, 24, and 25 as opinion days.   We will continue to review the details and keep members updated through our regular channels, including the next Trade and Customs Committee (TCC) call on March 10 and regular TCC email notices plus the upcoming Tariff Update Calls on February 23, March 16, and April 6.  Curbing counterfeits: In case you missed it, AAFA has been sounding the alarms on counterfeits at the height of the Winter Olympics and surrounding Valentine's Day. Our new study raises concerns about the safety of counterfeit textiles, accessories, footwear, and more: “Unboxing Fake Fashion Unleashing Real Dangers." The results reveal alarming evidence that counterfeit apparel, footwear, and accessory products present serious chemical and product safety hazards to consumers. This messaging will continue as we eagerly await the release of the annual Notorious Markets List from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and navigate additional relevant dates from Mother's Day to the FIFA World Cup.    For questions, please reach out to Jennifer Hanks or Conor O'Brien. To request an interview, contact Molly Molloy. WIPO Update for AAFA and ACG Members: On February 25, AAFA is partnering with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the UK-based Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) to host a virtual discussion on several important initiatives and how ACG + AAFA members can engage. Registration is now open for this member-only event.  AAFA at OECD in Paris: AAFA’s Sustainability Policy Specialist, Conor O’Brien, spent last week in rainy, but always lovely, Paris for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector. The forum tackled issues of CSDDD implementation, responsible investment, freedom of association, and more. Two weeks to the AAFA Executive Summit: The 2026 AAFA Executive Summit – The Next Moves: Bold Ideas, Smart Futures brings together senior leaders from the industry for two days of high-level strategy discussions, candid dialogue, and forward-looking insight. From navigating geopolitical risk and margin pressure to reimagining manufacturing, AI acceleration, and transformation payoffs from bold bets, this year’s program focuses on the decisions shaping the future of the industry. Featuring executives from leading global companies alongside policy and geopolitical experts including keynotes from KnitWell Group CEO and Executive Chair Lizanne Kindler and CNN's John King. The Summit will close with an appropriate nod to America’s 250th anniversary with a celebration at the National Archives. Board members will take part in a Lobby Day on March 3, the Spring Board Meeting, and our Board Officer rotation as Halide Alagöz becomes Past Chair and Joe Preston becomes AAFA Chair.  February-March   Feb. 18 | Online: Monthly Member-Only Shipping Roundtable* Feb. 18 | Online: Webinar: Making Credible Product Claims through Testing and Standards Feb. 23 | Online: Member-Only Call on Tariffs* Feb. 23 | Online: Webinar: 2026 Global Enforcement Trends with Ana Hinojosa Feb. 25 | Online: Webinar: AI-Powered Responsible Sourcing: From Audits to Action Feb. 25 | Online: WIPO Update for AAFA and ACG Members* March 4-6 | In-Person: AAFA Executive Summit March 16 | Online: Member-Only Call on Tariffs* March 18 | Online: Monthly Member-Only Shipping Roundtable* March 18 | Online: Webinar: Our Circular Future March 23 | Online: Webinar: Mastering Covered Material Categories for EPR Savings March 25 | Online: Webinar: Managing Hazardous Solvents Across Textile Supply Chains   *Member-only content 740 6th Street, NW 3rd and 4th Floors Washington, DC 20001 T: (202) 853-9080 Copyright © 2026 American Apparel & Footwear Association