Program areas at NCTO
PROGRAM 1 Trade consulting: Working on trade issues facing the textile industry is the primary reason NCTO often commissions studies or retains legal and professional services of outside consultants, contract labor, and law firms as needed to research and review these issues. Monitoring market disruption from imports and providing funds for market research and studies to substantiate and remedy such disruptions is an important function of NCTO and is extremely beneficial to the manufacturing members of NCTO in particular. Any beneficial action for manufacturers ultimately benefits suppliers and affiliated members as well. Therefore, this type of service and action benefits all NCTO members to some degree. On behalf of the NCTO members and affiliates, NCTO is an important resource to government on issues affecting the industry.
PROGRAM 3 Annual meeting and seminars: NCTO traditionally conducts one annual meeting in Washington, DC each year, but two meetings fell in this fiscal year elevating income and expenses in the meetings category. The annual meeting is open to all NCTO members and includes affiliates and invited guests. Additionally, routine conference calls are utilized to communicate with the Board and Executive Committee and occasionally the full membership to educate on issues affecting the industry. NCTO sponsored webinars were conducted to address industry issues and topics of interest for the NCTO members. These meetings and functions are for the benefit of and are open to all NCTO members and at times nonmember industry affiliates. Average attendance for most of these meetings numbered between 50-175 industry representatives.
PROGRAM 2 Public Relations Campaign: A continuation of the industry rebranding campaign entitled American Textiles -- We Make AmazingTM was designed to accurately define the 21st century U.S. textile industry. Themes and materials have been utilized that correct outdated and misleading impressions of the industry and that establish a baseline appreciation for the industry as a major employer, investor, innovator, producer, exporter, and competitor in the global marketplace. The campaign focus continues to engage NCTO members, media and influencers of industry policy.NCTOs PR campaign continues to be a major focus to amplify through social media the U.S. textile industrys efforts on PPE and the call for a long-term national strategy to support domestic production and paint a portrait for U.S. lawmakers, who may have never stepped into a textile factory. Our PR and social media efforts are aimed at showing members of Congress how the U.S. textile industry contributed to the nations PPE crisis after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and also demonstrating the importance of immediate policies and legislation, such as Buy American mandates, to establish a sustainable domestic supply chain for the future. There continue to be allied organizations who have partnered with NCTO on this campaign broadening the reach to go well beyond NCTO members only. The objective of engaging multiple organizations is to further spread a more positive message on behalf of the textile industry.To enhance the exposure of the textile industry in the medial, NCTO continues to work with Actualize Studio to maintain a website which was created in 2018 www.textilesinthenews.org showcasing the rebranding efforts as well as a site for the dissemination of artless relating to the textile industry. A weekly publication of Textiles in the News is provided to all members and associated affiliates and then stored on the website. This site is intended to educate a wide audience.There is also a weekly press round up that is assimilates news articles which make mention of NCTO and/or any of its member companies. The press round up is then widely distributed to NCTO all members and affiliates.