With the Specialised Textiles Association (STA) Tradeshow coming up, we thought it would be a great idea to chat about the history of Ricky Richards involvement with the association – after all, we’ve been part of it since around 1985!
If you haven’t heard of it before, STA is the representative group for the Australian fabric and textiles industries. They work to promote industry standards and ethics and give their members information and news about their businesses and the industry as a whole. They also give members a place to share ideas and get help and industry resources when they need them.
Ron says “...it was our local industry and we felt it was important to be a part of the local industry body.”
Joining STA in 1985, and attending the first trade show in 1986. Ron was later given advice to bring his wife to the association, since the association grew close like a group of friends.
Ron, along with his friends and colleagues in the indurstry, grew committed and joined various committees to help change the industry to some degree. He says, “we learned about the industry, we got to meet people around the country.”
“I think we first exhibited around 1993?” At this stage, Ron had already been on the committee and was involved with campaigns to help change the industry to what we know today.
He notes that he believes being on the inside looking out is the best position to be in rather than outside looking in. “You’ll possibly understand a bit more.”
Listen to Ron get real about the reality of the Australian textile industry and why it’s having a strong industry body means having a strong industry. Let’s show some love and support to the upcoming STA tradeshow!
“We’ve been a supporter of theirs for 35 years and we’re still happy to give that support!”
You can find some more episodes here.