AATCC Announces David Hinks as 2023 Textile Discovery Summit Keynote Speaker
RTP, NC, August 28, 2023 – AATCC is pleased to announce that the Wilson College of Textiles Dean, David Hinks, will be headlining the 2023 Textile Discovery Summit, slated for September 12-14 in Greenville, South Carolina.
Background and Education
David Hinks was born and raised in Derby, England. Hinks worked for Courtaulds Research from 1984 to 1986 prior to attending the University of Leeds, where earned a B.S. and Ph.D. in Colour Chemistry in 1989 and 1993, respectively. In 1993, he moved to NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles as a Post Doctoral Research Associate and later Visiting Assistant Professor investigating the genotoxicity of dyes and pigments.
Professional Background
In 1996, David Hinks joined Milliken & Co. in Spartanburg, SC, as an R&D Chemist. In Fall 1998, he returned to NC State as Assistant Professor in the College of Textiles. In 2003, Hinks was promoted to Associate Professor and became the Program Director for the then new Polymer and Color Chemistry Program. He was promoted to Full Professor in 2009 and was named the Cone Mills Distinguished Professor of Textile Chemistry in 2010. The same year Hinks was appointed Director of Graduate Programs in the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science and the Director of the University’s emerging Forensic Sciences Institute. In 2014, he was appointed as Interim Dean of the College of Textiles. In 2016, David Hinks was named Dean of the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University.
Register to attend the 2023 Textile Discovery Summit at www.aatcc.org/summit/
Textile Discovery Summit
AATCC’s Textile Discovery Summit is an annual event dedicated to providing a platform for the textile community to learn and interact together. This multi-day event features educational presentations from industry leaders and academic experts, interactive networking breakouts and receptions, a showroom for innovative products and processes, resources, and information on the latest in textiles, and more. The 2023 Textile Discovery Summit will take place at The Hyatt in Greenville, South from September 12-14. The theme for this year’s conference is Supporting Sustainability Through Innovation.
Keynote Presentation
With the rapid pace of change in manufacturing technology, textile companies need to attract and develop a workforce ready to learn new skills and take on emerging challenges. The future success of the US and Central American textile industry will depend on building a strong talent pipeline that can power innovation and adaptation. With the right strategies and talent, the textile industry can achieve sustainable growth and a bright future. The keynote presentation titled “Preparing for the Bright Future of US Textiles and the Critical Role of Life-Long Learning” will discuss strategies for success and challenges for growth in US and Central American textile manufacturing industry.
AATCC connects the global textile community to empower an innovative, informed, and sustainable future. Headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, AATCC has provided standards development, testing materials, educational resources, and professional networking to the global textile industry for more than a century.
