Audience:
Open industry. All apparel and footwear industry professionals, regardless of AAFA membership, are encouraged to participate.
Description:
The fashion and retail industry is transforming faster than ever — from AI-driven design, virtual digitization, to circular supply chains, smart fulfillment, and more. Join us for an executive look at the top technology trends shaping 2026 and discover how leading apparel and footwear brands are bridging the gap between innovation and execution. We'll explore how a new era of connected, sustainable, and responsive technology can put you in the forefront — and how you can prepare your business to move faster, work smarter, and stay ahead.
Attendees of this webinar will learn:
- To identify the key technology trends transforming fashion and retail in 2026.
- How leading brands integrate innovation into practical business solutions.
- Strategies to prepare your business for a connected and sustainable technology future.
Speakers:
Ana Friedlander
Sr. Director, Industry & Solution Strategy
Infor
Ana has over 25 years of experience in the Apparel and Retail industry, both from the fashion and retail companies as well as software companies. Prior to joining Infor, she was the Chief Information Officer at the largest privately held outerwear company, leading all the IT, Supply Chain, and technology initiatives to drive growth. She also played an active role in the RFID and Blockchain projects sponsored by GS1 and Auburn University together with the larger retailers to test the feasibility of the technology before this became a mandatory requirement to the industry.
Heidi Benko
VP Product Management and Strategy
Infor Nexus
Heidi Benko is VP of Product Management and Strategy for Infor Nexus. Heidi has more than 25 years of experience in supply chain product management, solutions strategy and marketing delivering innovative supply chain solutions to companies across industries that help them transform their supply chain operations.
AAFA Host:
Nate Herman
Executive Vice President
AAFA
Nate Herman took on the role of Executive Vice President in 2025, following more than 20 years at the association and from the position of SVP of Policy. In addition to steering the association’s strategic plan, Nate oversees AAFA’s Policy department, managing the association’s lobbying, policy, and regulatory affairs activities. Nate leads AAFA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, formulating and implementing CSR policy and representing AAFA and the industry on CSR issues before governments, NGOs, and other key stakeholders. In addition, Nate develops all apparel and footwear industry data and statistics as AAFA's resident economist. Prior to joining AAFA, Nate worked for six years at the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration assisting U.S. firms in entering the global market. Nate spent the final two years as the Commerce Department's industry analyst for the footwear and travel goods industries. Nate received a Masters of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh in 1994 and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Economics from the University of Delaware in 1992.
Unable to join on December 10?
Register for the webinar to receive an email containing the direct links to access the recording and the PDF version of the presentation. The email will be sent 1-3 business days after the webinar.
CONTACT | QUESTIONS
Stephanie Paendong