ATLANTA, GA, October 17, 2005 – For the ninth consecutive year, Lectra will confirm its commitment to educational programs that promote technology in the apparel industry by participating in the 61st International Textile & Apparel Association’s (ITAA) Annual Meeting, to be held November 2-6 at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in Alexandra, Virginia. The meeting assembles leading university scholars, educators and students working in the textile, apparel and merchandising disciplines. 

Serving more than 17,000 customers worldwide, Lectra’s innovative solutions span the entire product lifecycle, covering design, product development, prototyping, manufacturing and retailing. The company offers the apparel industry’s most highly integrated technologies, all backed by more than 30 years of multi-sector experience and an unrivaled international service and consulting network. Lectra solutions enable customers to meet today’s strategic challenges of shortening time to market, reducing costs and improving productivity, dealing with globalization, responding to the growing demand for mass customization, developing and securing electronic communication, and managing and promoting brands and image.

The company will present three awards during the ITAA Conference. The “Lectra Outstanding Faculty Designer Award” will go to the faculty member who has produced the most original garment.  The winner will be awarded a trip to Paris, France that will include a visit to Lectra’s world headquarters and an invitation to attend the renowned seasonal fabric exhibition show, Première Vision, in January, 2006.

Lectra will also award the “Lectra Innovation Award for Faculty Research” and the “Lectra Innovation Award for Teaching” to the authors of papers on pioneering technology applications for the apparel market. The two winners will each receive a $1,000 prize.

“We’re delighted to lend our support to this important educational forum,” said Ina Taub, Project Manager for Lectra USA. “This meeting is a great opportunity to showcase Lectra’s vision and to recognize faculty members who are dedicated to technology advancement in the apparel industry.”