SYFA Conference, Networking And SYFA Scholarship

The Synthetic Yarn and Fabric Association (SYFA) event featured presentations, networking and annual tournament.

Textile World Special Report

The Synthetic Yarn and Fabric Association (SYFA) hosted its Annual Spring Conference April 1-2, 2026, at the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel. The event drew 104 attendees for presentations and networking with industry peers.

Themed “The Fabric Frontier: ‘Our Future in Every Fiber,’” the conference featured presentations by industry notables including Drake Extrusion, Nilit, Syre, Gaston College, S&P Global and Under Armour.

Chuck Hall, president and CEO of Spartanburg, S.C.-based Barnet, offered remarks on the “State of U.S. Textiles.” Hall, the 2025 National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) chairman recently addressed the NCTO’s 22nd annual meeting in Washington with the detailed presentation (see “2026 State Of The U.S. Textile Industry,” this issue).

Prior to the conference, the SYFA Fourth Annual Spring Golf Tournament was held at Rocky River Golf Club in Concord, N.C. The event supports the SYFA Scholarship at Gaston College’s Textile Technology Center, offering technical training to students for careers in textile manufacturing.

“Participation in the Annual SYFA Tournament reflects our continued commitment to the textile industry, as well as our support for educational fundraising initiatives,” said Charlotte, N.C.-based BARMAG President Chip Hartzog.

“This year, we also showcased our new BARMAG branding through a hole sponsorship. Together we enjoyed a beautiful day and greatly valued the opportunity to spend quality time with our industry partners and customers.”

The conference closed with remarks by the new SYFA president, Chris Schultz of Columbia, S.C.-based Shakespeare Company. Schultz takes the helm from Meredith Boyd of Greensboro, N.C.-based Unifi Inc. Boyd remains a strong supporter of SYFA and now serves as secretary and treasurer.

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2026 Quarterly Issue II