Past Events

19th Annual Meeting of the American Flock Association

October 24, 2004, Mohegan Sun Resort, Uncasville, Conn.

The 19th Annual Business Meeting of the AMERICAN FLOCK ASSOCIATION was held on Friday October 22, 2004, at the Mohegan Sun Resort, Uncasville, CT. In attendance were 60 members, non-members and guests including representatives of 23 member companies.

Ed Martin, the outgoing Chairman of the Association, reminisced about the key events that he experienced during his long term as Chairman, including development of new industry health and safety standards and reaching satisfactory compromises with regulatory agencies after fire and health issues that threatened the flock industry in the US. He also referred to the many pleasant memories he has of AFA events during his term. He then challenged the membership with his view of the issues that must be dealt with in the near future in relation to regulation, competition, trade issues, and association services to its members.

Executive Director Barrett Ripley reported that key successes in 2004 include a much improved website, 33% growth in the number of sales leads passed on to members, and successful exhibitions at the Auto Interiors Show and the Hospitality Design EXPO. Priorities for 2005 include membership retention and growth, expense control, and improvement of the website to provide greater service to members.

The Association named Thomas Witham of Spectro Coating Corporation, as Chairman of the Executive Committee for 2005.

In addition to the association business and social program, the members heard presentations from industry and government experts about the state of the industry, current regulatory initiatives on textile flammability, and heard a panel discussion of the global raw material supply situation as it relates to flock manufacturing.