04-11-2021
In the field of sustainability, players in the textile industry often face the same challenges and yet each company, each brand often runs off on its own and tries to master them itself. "However,much greater clout can be achieved through exchange, collaboration and co-creation," says Jochen Schmidt, Head of Quality, Values & Sustainability at HAKRO. In order to increase its clout, the Quality, Values & Sustainability division has set up a unique event concept - the IMPACT Barcamp. For the first time, the innovative event was held on 20 and 21 October in the company's new showroom, which is also the communicative centre of HAKRO in Schrozberg. Among the guests: around 40 sustainability managers from textile companies from the fashion and outdoor sectors as well as standard setters and solution providers, such as Fair Wear, Cotton made in Africa or GoBlu.
Under the motto "Action through Co-Creation", the IMPACT Barcamp called for active participation. In contrast to classic, pre-structured events, the agenda was jointly designed by all participants according to their current topics and interests. At the beginning, the only fixed topic was "sustainability in the textile industry" - and the desire to make a difference together. "Learning from each other, sharing challenges, being inspired by new perspectives, discovering different and new ways together, thinking creatively and let successes rise together - all this was the focus of our first HAKRO IMPACT Barcamp," Anna Rüchardt from the Quality, Values & Sustainability department at HAKRO is pleased to say.
The first day was dedicated entirely to getting to know each other. After a welcome in HAKRO's showroom and a short presentation of the barcamp idea, a joint dinner and the exchange of ideas at the cocktail bar invited people to deepen their contacts. The next morning, sustainability managers were invited to active participation and the joint agenda was planned. The result: 16 sessions spread throughout the day on various challenges and issues. One session, for example, was dedicated to traceability and transparency of supply chains, another session focused on the topic of seals and standards, while the parallel sessions dealt with greenwashing in sustainability communication and the search for the right way to deal with interfaces between sustainability departments, sales and marketing. After an exciting day of joint brainstorming, discussions and constructive exchange, the IMPACT Barcamp came to an end with dinner and a cosy get-together at the in-house Harry's Bar.
"To be honest, we were very curious at the beginning whether a barcamp was the right event format and how it would be received by our sustainability colleagues," recalls Jochen Schmidt. But the consistently positive feedback from the participants ("Inspiring format, mind-blowing, mega!") sweeps their concerns aside. "Our IMPACT Barcamp was a real enrichment for all of us! We are thrilled by the cheerful atmosphere and the new impulses we were able to work on together. After the positive feedback, we can very well imagine driving forwardb the barcamp next year," adds Anna Rüchardt.
