ATM program hosts statewide Fashion Industry Conference on CWU campus

Central Washington University’s Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising (ATM) program welcomed middle and high school students and teachers from across Washington on April 25 for the 11th annual Fashion Industry Conference (FIC), marking the fourth consecutive year the conference has been hosted by CWU’s ATM program.

Hosted on CWU’s campus in Ellensburg, the conference introduced students to the wide range of career pathways within the fashion industry through hands-on workshops, industry speakers, student panels, competitions, and networking opportunities.

The Pacific Northwest continues to play an important role in the apparel and outdoor industries, with Washington and Oregon serving as home to major global brands, emerging designers, sustainable product innovators, and outdoor apparel companies. Together, the region’s apparel, footwear, textile, and outdoor recreation industries support thousands of jobs in areas including merchandising, marketing, product development, sourcing, sustainability, retail management, design, and brand strategy.

This year’s conference featured keynote speaker Krissy Ozaki, who shared insights about brand development, customer experience, and opportunities within the fashion and retail landscape. Attendees also heard from ATM student panelists Mariana Benitez and Mishka Rama, who discussed their educational journeys, involvement in hands-on learning experiences, and career aspirations within the industry.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in seven interactive workshops led by CWU faculty, staff, and industry professionals. Sessions included sustainability in fashion led by Astrid Vidalon Shields, a draping workshop by senior ATM student Cynthia Douglas, LinkedIn strategies presented by Lizette Santos, and a hand-sewing workshop facilitated by Jackson Berhow. Additional programming included student competitions and a dedicated teacher-focused session designed to foster collaboration, idea sharing, and curriculum inspiration among educators across the state.

Feedback from attendees highlighted the conference’s strong emphasis on creativity, engagement, and experiential learning.

“I love the workshops, I liked the hands-on learning,” one attendee shared through an anonymous Qualtrics survey.

Another participant wrote, “I loved the hands-on activities in the sessions. Specifically, hand sewing and jewelry making. So fun!”

One workshop that stood out to attendees was the Yakama jewelry-making session by Misty Mahkee, Owner Magic's Sewtique, which connected cultural history with creative practice. “The Yakama Jewelry making workshop was a fabulous blend of history, culture and hands-on practice. I even made something I’m proud of,” one participant shared. The attendee also praised the organization of the event, noting that “the student panel was very informative and the whole day was well-organized.”

Other attendees praised the welcoming atmosphere and organization of the event, noting the enthusiasm and engagement of the leadership, as well as the beautiful campus and engaging activities.

In addition to serving visiting students and teachers, the conference also created valuable professional development opportunities for ATM students. Eight ATM students served as conference interns, helping coordinate logistics, assist workshop presenters, support attendees, and act as ambassadors for both the ATM program and the university.

Through their involvement, student interns gained hands-on experience in event production, leadership, professional communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and networking,  all skills highly valued within the fashion and event industries. The experience also allowed ATM students to mentor prospective future students, strengthen their confidence in professional settings, and apply classroom knowledge in a real-world environment.

CWU Professor of Family and Consumer Sciences Andrea Eklund, who chairs the Fashion Industry Conference planning committee, begins coordinating the annual event each September by organizing programming, securing presenters, managing logistics, and mentoring student interns throughout the process.

“We love connecting with teachers who are opening the world of fashion to middle and high school students and showing them the opportunities available within the industry,” Eklund said. “This conference helps connect students to industry content and professionals while showing them the possibilities that exist within fashion careers. We also enjoy hosting students here on campus so they can experience a university environment, for many, it’s their first time visiting a university campus. Exploring campus, having lunch in the SURC, and taking workshops in our buildings help students envision a potential educational path into the fashion industry. It’s also a great opportunity for our ATM students to connect with attendees and share their own educational journeys.”

As the Fashion Industry Conference continues to grow, CWU’s ATM program remains committed to creating meaningful educational experiences that connect students, educators, industry professionals, and future fashion leaders throughout the Pacific Northwest.