American Image Awards gala on April 16: The American Image Awards is just a few weeks away where AAFA will welcome Katie Couric to help recognize incredible visionaries leading the industry forward. Allow AAFA President and CEO Rick Helfenbein to introduce you to each of this year's honorees with his column in Fashion Mannuscript. For more information, including tables and tickets, visit aafaglobal.org/awards.  

Brand protection updates: On March 8, AAFA testified before a panel on intellectual property rights practices in foreign countries, as part of the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) Special 301 report. The prepared remarks are available here.

AAFA also signed onto a joint letter sent to the Mayor of Los Angeles on March 9, praising the work of the Los Angeles Police Department's Anti-Piracy Unit, and urging the mayor to reject any efforts to dismantle the unit.

AAFA urges action on MTB: AAFA joined more than 200 other associations and companies in a March 9 letter to Members of Congress emphasizing the importance of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB), and the need for action from the full Congress.

Labor laws in Burma (Myanmar): On March 6, AAFA and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) wrote a letter to the government of Burma (Myanmar) expressing strong support for the labor law reform process currently underway, but urged the government to ensure that this process results in laws and regulations that are consistent with the fundamental conventions of the International Labor Organization, creating a strong foundation for mature industrial relations and strong growth for the garment and footwear industries in Myanmar.

Steve Lamar re-elected as WITA's Board President: Steve Lamar, AAFA's Executive Vice President, was once again re-elected to the Board of Directors of the 2,400-member Washington International Trade Association (WITA). Having served on the Board for more than twenty years, he currently serves as President. Fellow officers include Stephanie Lester of Gap, Inc.; longtime trade policy expert Donald Eiss; and Sarah Thorn of WalMart Stores, Inc. Please join us in congratulating Steve.