GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala — September 1, 2026 — The Americas Apparel Producers’ Network (AAPN), in partnership with VESTEX, brought leading brands and sourcing professionals to Guatemala for the inaugural SOURCE: The Americas experience — an immersive look at the capabilities, verticality and relationships strengthening the Western Hemisphere apparel supply chain.
The takeaway from Luis Vasquez, SVP of Product Development & Sourcing for Fabletics, was simple: “Guatemala showed up!”
Held in conjunction with the 2026 Apparel Sourcing Show, the program welcomed representatives from Aerie, Carhartt Inc., Fabletics, Fanatics, Gap Inc., Momentec Brands, Target, Victoria’s Secret and Varsity Brands to connect directly with manufacturers, suppliers and industry leaders.
The experience combined industry education, the Apparel Sourcing Show, executive networking and factory visits designed to showcase the verticality of Guatemala’s apparel supply chain — from yarn through finished product:
- Imperial (ATS) — Spinning
- Texpasa — Knitting, dyeing and finishing
- Indiana Knitwear / Hoosier Manufacturing — Cut & sew
“Networking is the foundation of our industry,” said Sergio Isaza of TxGR Partners. “The opportunity to connect makes things possible and keeps our business running, as it gives us a better understanding of how different regions can add value to our sourcing needs.”
Liz Kircher of Momentec Brands highlighted the value of experiencing a new sourcing region through AAPN’s established network.
“The connections and insights that Lynsey has make this sourcing trip so much more valuable than traveling alone to new vendors,” said Kircher. “She is an amazing resource not only for meeting new vendors, but also for gaining valuable knowledge about the area — and for having some good laughs along the way!”
For AAPN, those connections are exactly why SOURCE: The Americas was created.
“The real story was the connections,” said Lynsey Jones, Executive Director of AAPN. “Introductions became conversations. Conversations became follow-ups. And we watched new relationships begin to form between brands and suppliers, with the potential for new business already taking shape.”
The enthusiasm was shared by manufacturers participating in the week.
“We’re grateful to have connected with so many of the companies and people who make this region one of the strongest apparel and textile clusters in the industry,” Indiana Knitwear shared following the event. “The talent, craftsmanship, and scale of what Central America can deliver continue to impress us.”
The Guatemala experience demonstrated the strength of a regional sourcing ecosystem built on capability, proximity and relationships — and the value of bringing sourcing decision-makers directly into the regions where business happens.
AAPN extends its appreciation to VESTEX, participating manufacturers, factory hosts, sponsors and industry partners who helped make the inaugural SOURCE: The Americas experience possible.
Guatemala showed up. And for SOURCE: The Americas, this is only the beginning.
SOURCE: the Americas
SOURCE: the Americas is an AAPN initiative connecting brands and retailers directly with sourcing regions throughout the Western Hemisphere through curated sourcing experiences, factory tours, industry education and executive-level networking.
Posted: September 4, 2026
Source: The Americas Apparel Producers’ Network (AAPN)
