The International Cotton Association (ICA) has confirmed the programme for its Liverpool 2024 Trade Event, set for October 16-17 in Liverpool, UK. The two-day event will focus on pressing issues in the cotton industry, featuring prominent keynote speakers and 'Cotton Connected' sessions.

The event will commence with a panel discussion led by Bill Ballenden from Louis Dreyfus Company, focusing on the legislative environment and its impact on the cotton supply chain. The panel will feature Eva Bille from Hill & Knowlton, Elisabeth van Delden of Make the Label Count, and Eric Trachtenberg from the International Cotton Advisory Committee. The session will address key legislative frameworks, their enforcement, and their potential effects on cotton demand within the textile industry.

Keynote sessions will include Colin Iles (Viterra) on cotton market trends and Arvind Singhal (Technopak Advisors) on changes in textiles and clothing. A discussion on Artificial Intelligence’s impact on the cotton industry will feature Oliver Jobling and Joseph Maliszewski from Macrovesta.

The event will also include 'Cotton Connected' sessions that will concentrate on arbitration and key cotton regions, with contributions from the ICA’s Women in Cotton Committee. ICA President Kim Hanna highlighted that this year's programme addresses crucial issues for the community and expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to advance the cotton industry alongside both familiar and new colleagues.

The event will conclude with a Gala Dinner at St George’s Hall on October 17, with sessions held at the Crowne Plaza Liverpool. With over 500 international delegates expected, registration is filling up fast.