Based on its policy of improving contacts between the local textile industry and international community, The Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) became a member of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) on June 1, 2006. Association President Kevin Burke warmly welcomed the Association’s newest member and is currently planning to lead a delegation of members to "Taipei in Style" and "TITAS 2006," two apparel and material exhibitions organized by the TTF.

The AAFA is the national trade association, established in 2000 from a merger of the American Apparel Association and American Footwear Association with its headquarters in Virginia. The Association seeks to enhance the competitiveness, productivity and benefits accruing to its members in global markets through promotional work, communication and government canvassing.

The AAFA has nearly 1,000 members both at home and overseas, including apparel, footwear, brand manufacturers and other sewn products companies, including many international brand companies and apparel manufacturers, such VF Corporation, Kellwood Company, Philips-Van Heusen Corporation, Jones Apparel Group, Liz Claiborne Inc., etc. Members account for more than 85% of annual apparel and footwear retail volume in the United States.

Most AAFA members are already important customers of the Taiwan industry. The TTF is hoping that interaction between members will make it possible to deepen and broaden relations, thereby increasing the market opportunities available to local textile and apparel firms.

To this end TTF will introduce Association President Kevin Burke and his delegation to local industry representatives at "Taipei in Style" and "TITAS 2006" in the hope of laying the future for a prosperous cooperative future.

TITAS 2006 has invited leading producers of fiber, yarn and fabric to display advanced products made from creative materials such as bamboo charcoal, corn, soybeans and metal, as well as high-tech functional products including waterproof textiles, air-permeable textiles, heat-accumulating textiles and high-fashion textiles. Concurrent with the exhibition, TITAS 2006 will invite textile experts from all over the world to deliver lectures at seminars.