SEW IMPACT Summit 2026 / Baltimore
Growing Inclusive Sewing Economies
November 18–21, 2026 | Baltimore + Virtual
A multi-day convening connecting entrepreneurs, educators, manufacturers, industry leaders, institutions, technology innovators, and global partners to strengthen the local-to-global Sewing Economies.
WHY SEWING ECONOMIES?
Sewing is more than a skill or a creative practice. It is an economic sector connecting entrepreneurship, manufacturing, fashion, technology, workforce development, education, and community wealth.
The SEW IMPACT Summit brings people across these interconnected systems together to ask:
How do we build stronger, more inclusive, and more innovative Sewing Economies?
SEW IMPACT Summit 2026
A four-part convening connecting Maryland’s Sewing Economies to innovation, entrepreneurship, and global opportunity.
Wednesday, November 18 | 6:00–8:00 PM
4MLK — University of Maryland, Baltimore BioPark
Sewing Economies Expo + SEW IMPACT Workshop
Connect with Maryland’s entrepreneurs, businesses, manufacturers, educators, and community partners through an evening Expo and interactive workshop. Discover the people, resources, and opportunities shaping sewing economies, then explore how technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation can turn ideas and community challenges into impact-driven ventures.
Supported by M&T Bank
Thursday, November 19 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Coppin State University
Smart Garments: Technology, Innovation & the Future of Sewing
Explore smart garments, emerging technologies, and the future of connected apparel. Discover how technology is transforming the way garments are designed, produced, experienced, and brought to market.
Friday, November 20 | 9:00–10:30 AM ET
University of Baltimore Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Virtual
In partnership with the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI)
Mapping the World’s Sewing Economies
Launching a Three-Year Global Ecosystem Initiative
Launch a three-year global initiative to map, connect, and strengthen sewing economies around the world. The conversation brings together international partners to explore local ecosystems, shared challenges, opportunities, and the potential for global knowledge exchange, collaboration, and economic development.
Saturday, November 21 | 3:00–5:00 PM
Baltimore Innovation Center
Tour the Needle Trades District
Explore Baltimore’s sewing and manufacturing history, present, and future through a guided experience of the Needle Trades District. Discover opportunities to reimagine sewing, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Baltimore.
Attendee Benefit
Maryland Sewing Ecosystem Directory
Summit attendees receive access to the SEW IMPACT Maryland Sewing Ecosystem Directory, connecting entrepreneurs, manufacturers, designers, educators, suppliers, organizations, and other stakeholders across Maryland’s Sewing Economies.
Summit Partnership Network
SEW IMPACT brings together 4MLK, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), University of Baltimore Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, World Trade Center Institute (WTCI), Baltimore Innovation Center, and community and institutional partners to connect Maryland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem with a growing global Sewing Economies network.
The Summit Journey
CONNECT → CREATE → EXPLORE → GO GLOBAL → REIMAGINE
Together, these experiences create a platform for Maryland to strengthen its Sewing Economies, connect local entrepreneurs to global networks, and build new pathways for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity.
Register for the SEW IMPACT Summit
Join us November 18–21, 2026 for a Multi-day convening connecting entrepreneurs, educators, manufacturers, industry leaders, technology innovators, and global partners to grow inclusive Sewing Economies.
Registration is FREE and open to all. Register once and select the Summit experiences you plan to attend. Your selections help us anticipate attendance and plan seating and space for each program.
FREE | Registration Required
Map Maryland’s Sewing Economies
Be part of the map. Add your business, organization, program, or resource to the SEW IMPACT Ecosystem Directory and help us identify, connect, and strengthen Maryland’s sewing economies.
Add Your Business or Resource
In Memory of Pava LaPere
Her vision for Baltimore’s innovation ecosystem continues to inspire.
The SEW IMPACT Summit honors Pava LaPere’s commitment to connecting people, ideas, and resources to build a stronger Baltimore. In that spirit, SEW IMPACT is launching the Maryland Sewing Economies Ecosystem Map—an effort to make visible the people, organizations, businesses, institutions, and resources that shape our sewing economies, beginning in Baltimore.
Mapping the ecosystem. Connecting the community. Building what comes next.