Anil Naik, President of APP said that the number of member companies has increased during this year and demonstrates the progress of the organisation and its commitment to the welfare of the sector. He added that the ‘Plasto Exhibition’ the flagship project of APP to be held on 8-11 JAN 2025 has received a very good response. ‘Plasto 2025’ will be held at a much grander scale at Moshi International Exhibition Centre with an area of 1,00,000 sq ft out of which 70 percent has been already booked.

The annual general meeting also discussed the work in progress for Plasto 2025. During the meeting, it was also decided to expand the Plasto committee with advisors which will benefit the endeavor.

All new members were handed over certificates, bags, and pins.

A moment of silence was observed for the late Radheshyam Bhattad and late Yashwant Karve who were senior members of the association and passed away this year. 

Association for the Promotion of Plastics (APP) was established in Pune in 1981. The basic objectives of the Association are to promote the growth of Plastics and related industries, create a common platform and to bring together the members, solve common problems of Plastic and Polymer Industry to educate the members, and propagate up-to-date knowledge related to Plastics-Polymers and spread technical advancement.

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Kamlesh Pisal, known as KP, runs his law firm KP Land and Legal Solutions LLP. While his appointment as the MCA secretary was not expected even to him, those who knew him recognized that his legal expertise made him the perfect fit for the role. His experience in handling arbitration and litigation has been invaluable in the smooth operation of the MCA.

Hailing from Satara, KP was a long-distance runner in his younger years. He also had a deep interest in tennis which led to promoting and popularising the sport in his district. From a young age, he understood the transformative power of sports, a lesson that has guided him throughout his career. His early involvement in local sports associations as well as his secretaryship at the Satara Club, one of the most prestigious sports clubs in the district, laid the groundwork for his later achievements.

One of KP’s most notable accomplishments is his role in the success of the Satara Half Hill Marathon (SHHM). Under his leadership, the SHHM has gained international recognition, attracting over 8,000 participants each year. This experience in managing a large-scale sporting event proved invaluable when he took on the responsibilities at the MCA.

Leveraging his experience from the SHHM, KP has played a vital role in organizing the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL). The MPL has flourished under his guidance, providing a vibrant platform for talent across the state. His dedication to the league’s success is evident in every aspect of its execution, from logistical planning to legal oversight.

KP is deeply committed to the long-term development of cricket in Maharashtra, working tirelessly to groom talented players and to see them represent India on the international stage. He is equally focused on training coaches and trainers, believing that a well-rounded support system is crucial for the development of world-class cricketers.

As the MPL progresses, Advocate KP’s influence on Maharashtra’s cricket scene cannot be overstated. His unique blend of legal expertise, organizational skills, and passion for sports has positioned him as a key figure in the cricketing community in the state. Under his direction, the future of Maharashtra cricket looks brighter than ever.

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DreamSetGo, India’s premium sports experiences and travel platform, will play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive services to the Indian delegation, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable journey to Paris. The partnership encompasses all travel services and ground support in Paris through the duration of the Olympic Games with a focus on delivering world-class experiences for sports fans.

As the Official Hospitality and Travel partner to several renowned global rights holders to major sporting events, DreamSetGo brings unparalleled expertise and a proven track record in managing the travel and hospitality needs of sports fans on a global scale. This collaboration solidifies DreamSetGo’s commitment to delivering excellence in sports travel and hospitality.

Dr. PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are excited to join forces with DreamSetGo for the upcoming marquee year. This partnership will undoubtedly elevate the experience for the Indian Olympic Delegation, providing them with top-notch services and ensuring their journey to support the Indian Olympic Team be both memorable and hassle-free.”

DreamSetGo will leverage its extensive network and experience to make traveling to Paris in the summer a seamless and once-in-a-lifetime experience. They will provide the ground support that will aid in executing a successful campaign for the Indian Olympic Team.

Speaking about the partnership with IOA, Monish Shah, Founder, and Chief Business Officer – DreamSetGo, said “We are honored to partner with the Indian Olympic Association and hope to elevate the Olympic experience for hundreds of athletes, their families and various federations. From being a cricket-loving nation, India has transformed into one of the biggest consumers of international sports. As India emerges as a strong global sporting nation, DreamSetGo aims to enable Indians with end-to-end experiences, right from taking care of travel needs, and accommodations, to offering unique money-can’t-buy experiences. Travelers need not worry about anything along the way with us as their travel partner.”

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The trade associations in question are the American Beverage Association (AmeriBev) and The Canadian Sugar Institute. The FTC expressed concerns that the organizations may have violated the FTC Act by failing to ensure that the influencers were adequately disclosing their relationship with the industry.

The warning letters follow the FTC’s recent revision of the Commission’s Guides for Endorsements and Testimonials and are part of the agency’s continued monitoring of influencer marketing. The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Director, Samuel Levine, stated that it is irresponsible for any trade group to hire influencers to promote its members’ products without ensuring that the influencers disclose their relationship with the industry.

The warning letters identified paid posts that either did not disclose a material connection or contained inadequate disclosures. The letters explained the staff’s concerns regarding particular disclosures, including inconspicuous placement, ambiguous language, or the failure to identify the sponsor of the posts.

The warning letters also included the FTC’s notice of penalty offenses concerning misleading endorsements and noted that the recipients could face civil penalties of up to $50,120 per violation for future failures to disclose unexpected material connections. The recipients were asked to contact agency staff within 15 days and detail any actions taken or that will be taken to address staff’s concerns.

The FTC’s primary staff attorney on this matter is Cassandra Rasmussen in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. The FTC works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers. Consumers can learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

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The evening began with the singing of devotional songs, followed by the traditional aarti. Founder and President Sunil Shah, Current President Vinita Gulabani, Founder Member and Past President Onkar Singh Sanga, and Past President Neil Khot addressed the gathered members, thanking them for their contributions to the success of the FIA and its activities during the year.

The event also saw the announcement of the new FIA team for 2024, which will be spearheaded by Incoming President Pratibha Jairath, strongly supported by 100+ members comprising Executive Board Members, Directors, and Advisory Board Members. The team includes Executive Vice Presidents Altaf Bukhari and Anu Malhotra, Vice Presidents Richa Chand, Sonia Luther, Mukesh Shah, Chandini Duvuri, Murugesh Kasilingam, and Jessie Singh, Treasurer Suresh Bodiwala, General Secretary Nilabh Dubey, Joint Treasurer Vaishal Talati, Joint Secretary Falguni Sukhadia, Cultural Secretary Pika Munshi, and Joint Cultural Secretary Priyanka Parekh.

A new Disciplinary Committee was proposed and accepted, with members including Keerthi Reevori, Mukesh Shah, Sunil Shah, Neil Khot, Vinita Gulabani, and Pratibha Jairath. Additionally, a Public Relations and Communications team comprising Abir Maru, Harry Sidhu, Kamlesh Kapoor, and Vijay Muralidaran has been added to the executive committee for the year.

The program also included live entertainment by Swapnil Sahu, Jitendra Bulsara, Payel Ganguly, Pratibha Jairath, and Pinky Thakkar, and dinner catered by India Foodie Lounge. The event concluded with recognition for the achievements of the outgoing team, including a Lifetime Achievement award for Sunil Shah and a Volunteer Award for Neil Khot from the Lions Club under the auspices of the President of the United States of America.

Overall, the event was a great success, and the new FIA team for 2024 is poised to continue the organization’s growth and service to the community.

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MUMBAI: The 77th edition of the National Garment Fair (NGF 2023) in Mumbai, organized by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), was a roaring success with more than 35,000 visitors comprising national and regional retailers, distributors, and wholesalers. Over the four days (July 18-21, 2023), the enthusiasm of the participants reflected the optimism from retail sales during the upcoming festive season.

Spread across 8,00,000 sq.ft., the National Garment Fair 2023 (NGF 2023) saw the participation of more than 1200 brands presenting a diverse range of Women’s wear, Men’s Wear, and Accessories at the Bombay Exhibition NESCO Complex in Goregaon East, and the Kids wear exhibition at the Jio World Convention Centre in BKC.

Speaking about the domestic garment industry, Mr. Rajesh Masand, President, of the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), said, “Since the start of the year, the garment industry has been grappling with a certain slowdown with moderate growth of 5-6% in garment retail sales on average. Numerous brands and manufacturers have experienced a downturn of 10-15% compared to the previous year. Despite these challenges, there is optimism surrounding the forthcoming festive season, as the demand for apparel is anticipated to be robust.”

Speaking about the NGF 2023, Mr. Rohit Munjal, Vice President and Chairman of the Fair Committee, Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) said, “The success of the 77th National Garment Fair is a promising sign for the apparel trade, indicating a positive outlook for the upcoming festive season. Notably, prominent retailers and distributors from the country were observed attending the fair, showing interest in exploring regional brands with the potential for nationwide growth. The continuous growth and strength of NGF can be attributed to the unwavering support and active participation of both brands and retailers. Their consistent involvement has been instrumental in making the fair increasingly influential and successful.”

The size of the Indian apparel market is estimated to be Rs. 7.80 lakh crores and has grown by between 15-20% in FY2023. Speaking about the present outlook of the domestic garment industry, Mr. Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor, of the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), said, “The organized segment of the market is projected to encompass approximately 25-30% of the total share. Prominent brands like Shoppers Stop, Reliance Trends, Lifestyle, V-Mart, and others are actively extending their presence and swiftly expanding their footprints into Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets.”

Recognized as the largest and most highly anticipated Trade Fair in the Indian Apparel Industry, the National Garment Fair by CMAI serves as a vital platform for connecting National and Regional Brands, Manufacturers, Designers, and Fashion Accessories manufacturers with Retailers, Agents, Distributors, and E-commerce Companies. This biannual event holds significant prestige in the industry and is widely regarded as India’s foremost trade fair, offering a comprehensive sourcing platform that maximizes both time and cost efficiency for all stakeholders involved.

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A Computer Engineer from Pune University, Vinita has acquired many certifications from IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Kolkata. Currently, Vinita is working as an Independent Advisor and Board of Directors in two organizations. Vinita is a DEI Champion, a consultant for organization culture, and a leadership coach with a passion for mentoring. Before Vinita took the path of an independent journey, she worked for Global Technology organizations for 27+ years in various leadership capacities. Her last corporate role was with Dell Technologies – where she was General Manager for the India Centre of Excellence across Bangalore and Pune.

The members of the Executive Committee include Nitin Deshpande, Ashutosh Parasnis, Ramprasad S, Prashant KS, Ashwin Megha, Abhijeet Atre, Swapnil Deshpande, Parag Barve, Tushar Shetty, and Ashish Bhansali. Tenure of this newly formed executive committee would be of 2 years (2023-2025).

SEAP was formed as an association of Software Exporters in Pune in 1998. The initial focus was to interact with various government agencies and provide member software companies with the support they needed for establishing efficient operations. In its second phase, SEAP saw its membership grow and as larger companies made Pune its home, newer needs and newer ideas emerged. The seeds of greater collaboration within the industry were sown. In 2011, a new initiative to encourage start-ups, called Pune Connect was launched. Starting with just 10 entrants, Pune Connect attracted 190+ entrants in 2019. Apart, SEAP continues to work closely with various government agencies to provide policy inputs as well as to highlight broader issues faced by member companies. Currently, over a hundred software companies operating from Pune and nearby areas are members of SEAP.

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