A Gateway to Global Trade
Marie Kinsella
(CEO of the International Expo Group and
Organiser of the Global Sourcing Expo Melbourne 2024)
The Global Sourcing Expo is an essential event for industry professionals involved in the buying and global sourcing of apparel, footwear, textiles, and homeware products.
Taking place in Melbourne, Australia, the Global Sourcing Expo offers an exciting showcase of global trade, where innovation intersects with opportunity. With over 900 exhibitors from 15 countries, this premier event gathers industry leaders, suppliers, and buyers in one location.
Participants can expect to explore a wide array of products and services, from advanced technology to sustainable solutions, all designed to fulfil sourcing requirements. The expo provides a platform for engaging discussions, forming new partnerships, and discovering untapped markets. It is an unparalleled opportunity for attendees to connect globally, broaden their business perspectives, and drive success in international markets.
TVC Media had the opportunity to speak with Marie Kinsella, the CEO of the International Expo Group and the organiser of the Global Sourcing Expo Melbourne 2024.
Marie Kinsella oversees the daily management responsibilities crucial for the successful execution of exhibitions and trade fairs across various sectors, including workplace health and safety, manufacturing, fashion, global sourcing, and education. She emphasises strong business strategies aimed at building a company capable of achieving multi-million-dollar revenues annually.
With a dedicated commitment to social justice and a focus on gender equality in leadership, Kinsella has a proven track record of guiding diverse teams to successfully complete complex and demanding projects.
Can you share with us the inspiration behind integrating Indigenous Fashion Projects into this year’s Global Sourcing Expo?
The Global Sourcing Expo has always set out to be the premier event for industry professionals associated with buying and sourcing of apparel, footwear, textiles and homeware products. A collaboration with Indigenous Fashion Projects was a no-brainer. After all, the IFP – as a community that supports the development of First Nations fashion designers – shares our vision: To create a platform for designers to widen their global networks, connect with buyers and thrive.
By showcasing IFP, we nurture an appreciation of Indigenous fashion and support the growth and success of Indigenous businesses in Australia and beyond. For Expo visitors, this is a great opportunity to connect with the up-and-coming Indigenous designers, set to make waves in the world of fashion.
How do you envision the impact of showcasing Indigenous fashion in fostering appreciation for diverse cultural expressions?
By bringing the unique work of Indigenous designers – including traditional weaving and textile processes and fabric design – to a global platform, we will create a deeper understanding of its value, relevance and authenticity.
What sets the Global Sourcing Expo Melbourne 2024 apart from other industry events in terms of promoting sustainability and ethical practices?
We acknowledge that the industry requires collaboration in creating a long-term sustainability strategy that can be adopted by both large and small producers to minimise their carbon footprint.
This is why sustainability is a key focus for both of our Shows in Sydney and Melbourne. We’ll feature several resources and expert presentations. For industry professionals looking to integrate sustainability into their sourcing and production process, the event will offer a clear roadmap for a more environmentally conscious future.
The Global Sourcing Expo is unique in that it brings together manufacturers and suppliers from all over the world. They offer us valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities they face in their own countries while incorporating sustainable design practices into their production processes. Attending an event like this allows businesses to connect with suppliers who have implemented measures to improve their environmental and social impact, helping them meet their corporate social responsibility goals.
In addition, we acknowledge that Australian consumers are increasingly putting their money behind ethical brands. For fashion, footwear and homewear brands, the shift to more transparent, ethical and sustainable practices, supply chains and processes, can be overwhelming. This is why we have added panel discussions and seminar presentations that unpack not only how to achieve improved ethical practices, but also how to stay ahead of the shifting regulatory landscape.
These include the ‘Navigating the Conscious Fashion Evolution’ panel discussion. Chaired by Elizabeth Formosa, founder of Fashion Equipped and creator of the Conscious Fashion Blueprint, the panel also features Dr Vaibhav Gaikward, Head of Sustainability at ELK, Elle Roseby, Managing Director of Country Road and Trenery and Mary Lou Ryan, Co-Founder of bassike.
Could you elaborate on the significance of the seminar “The Fiji Fashion Explosion” and its role in highlighting opportunities and challenges within the Fijian fashion and manufacturing industry?
The seminar puts Fijian fashion at the forefront, exploring the opportunities that exist for collaboration with the country’s emerging designers and creatives.
How does the Expo support the economic empowerment of Indigenous communities and promote diversity and inclusivity within the fashion industry?
By including 900 exhibitors from 20 countries – including India, Vietnam, Türkiye, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Korea, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Brazil, Indonesia, Fiji, Nepal and others – we are celebrating and promoting diversity. The inclusion of a number of Indigenous brands among these exhibitors – as well as Indigenous Fashion Projects – further enables us to promote and empower Indigenous designers and communities.
In addition, the Global Sourcing Seminars feature pertinent sessions (such as the “The Fiji Fashion Explosion” panel discussion) that further explore the opportunities within the Indigenous communities and highlight the benefits of embracing diversity.
What do you hope attendees will gain from the seminars and workshops featured at the Expo, particularly in relation to ethical production and sourcing strategies?
We hope they will gain a deeper understanding of the critical importance of ethical production and sourcing in creating a more sustainable future for the industry, as well as the practical steps they need to take to achieve more ethical and sustainable practices in their own businesses. We also hope they’ll build relationships with the presenters and fellow exhibitors and attendees, as these networks are valuable.
How do you see the Expo contributing towards transforming the fashion sourcing industry and embracing innovation and creativity on a global scale?
We see the Expo as a catalyst for positive change.
By bringing together industry experts and innovators for the seminars, and a wide range of exhibitors, we’re creating a platform for the sharing of knowledge and ideas that drive change and innovation. Through our global network of exhibitors and media partners, we can amplify these ideas and drive the shift to a more innovative and sustainable industry, worldwide.
