SEW IMPACT Summit 2026 / Baltimore
Growing Inclusive Sewing Economies
November 17–21, 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 five-part convening connecting Maryland’s Sewing Economies to innovation, entrepreneurship, and global opportunity.
Tuesday, November 17 | 6:00–8:00 PM — University of Baltimore
Sewing Economies Expo & Community Connection
The Summit opens with an in-person Sewing Economies Expo, panel discussion, and networking experience, showcasing Maryland’s entrepreneurs, businesses, manufacturers, educators, resources, and opportunities.
Wednesday, November 18 | 6:00–8:00 PM — 4MLK
SEW IMPACT Workshop
A hands-on workshop focused on building impact-driven ventures within the Sewing Economies. Participants explore how technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation can transform ideas and community challenges into new products, services, businesses, and scalable ventures that create economic and social impact.
Through collaborative activities, participants identify opportunities, develop venture concepts, and explore pathways for turning ideas into viable, sustainable, and impact-driven businesses.
Supported by M&T Bank.
Thursday, November 19 | 6:00–8:00 PM — Baltimore
Smart Garments: Technology, Innovation & the Future of Sewing
A focused exploration of smart garments, emerging technologies, and the future of connected apparel. Participants explore how technology is transforming the way garments are designed, produced, experienced, and brought to market.
Location details coming soon.
Friday, November 20 | 9:00–10:30 AM ET — Virtual | World Trade Center Institute
Global Conversation: From Local to Global
A global working conversation, in partnership with WTCI, bringing together international partners and representatives from sewing economies around the world.
Participants share challenges and opportunities and explore how local-to-global partnerships, knowledge exchange, and shared resources can create stronger, more connected sewing economies.
Saturday, November 21 | 3:00–5:00 PM — Baltimore Innovation Center
Tour the Needle Trades District
A place-based exploration of Baltimore’s sewing and manufacturing history, present, and future. Participants experience the Needle Trades District while exploring 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 Economy.
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 Economy 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 17–21, 2026 for a five-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.