TPC - The New & Improved Textile Professional Club

textile industries, it had lost some of its "flair" over the years. For those unaware of its history prior to '09, TPC famously hosted the same type of events that its members were "comfortable" with -- and in return for the $40-50 entry fee, a guest could expect a couple drink tickets redeemable for a well drink (kamchatcha at best - no stoli - and forget about kettle or goose), beer or wine followed by a sit down dinner (rubber fish in duck sauce). When is the last time you went out of your way to hit up a restaurant inside the Bonaventure? Joking aside, the sit-down dinners ran counter to an individual's ability to effectively network with others, besides chatting with those seated at the same 10 person table. That atmosphere created an almost "musical chairs" scenario - with aggressive members lobbying for the pole position near an important center of influence or rainmaker. TPC is banded together by a small, tight-knit board of directors (BOD), hand-picked for their proven business skills, industry focus, dedicated service to the group and visionary abilities. Before '09, every TPC activity involved hard labor by the BOD. The BOD was forced to end the manual RSVP and payment procedures and morphed the group into this new era of automation. Automating it, though, was a pain-staking and time-consuming process for the BOD. That process, which included the design and implementation of multiple TPC websites, where none existed before, was also very expensive. Therefore, the BOD decided to accept limited corporate sponsorship to offset those hard-costs. Annually, each of the BOD's companies as well as several other firms are granted logo recognition on the TPC website in exchange for their generousity. Prior to that, TPC's BOD had to shoulder the monetary burden on website design and implementation, automations and event costs. TPC is no longer a "dues-driven" group. Instead, the BOD instituted several mechanisms to allow for the group to be "event-driven" ala "per pay view" if you will. Today, potential members attend events repeatedly as regulars after only hearing the buzz about TPC events. As such, they've brought youthful energy and long-term viability to TPC. Today, even with the higher cost per event, most events attract over 150 attendees. And now our members are actually psyched about and really excited by the high-profile venues in which TPC events are now held. Particular venues including Drai's Rooftop Pool at W Hollywood, are crowd favorites and have taken on seemingly mandatory attendance. TPC events are held approximately six times a year at various venues in the Los Angeles area. In addition, TPC throws an invite-only party in Vegas during the month of February which coincides with day one of the MAGIC/PROJECT Apparel Trade Shows.