Check out the Headwear Association (THA)
The Headwear Association in the USA is located in New York City and has been around since 1908, over one hundred years. Originally it was an industry fraternity association but the objectives have been broadened.
The mission today is to promote hat wearing and the headwear industry throughout the world and foster goodwill and fellowship among those engaged in the headwear industry.
Each year THA has a dinner that all can attend. The dinner is a great way to meet and greet your headwear comrades and learn some new things. .. everyone will be there – retailers, wholesalers, hat lovers, hat makers and anyone else who enjoys hat talk. It will be held in New York City this year on March 18.
There will be an awards ceremony, Annual Hat Retailer of the Year will go to Martin Mann of Hats Plus in Chicago and the Ben Rosenthal Award will be awarded to S. H. Baik of Young An. The outgoing president of the THA, David Goldman will also be honored.
Recently THA started a Headwear Hall of Fame™ to recognize the positive influence of famous hat wearers – who routinely wear (wore)a hat in their daily life for fashion, fun or function (not in a role or performance). This year Brad Pitt was singled out as Hat Person of the Year. The inductees were Humphrey Bogart, Brad Pitt, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Jessica Parker, Audrey Hepburn, and Jennifer Lopez. More people will be added each year.
The Association is a leader in the promotion of hat wearing to protect against the harmful effects of the sun. THA also has Charity Event to distribute hats for the homeless. Last year 6,000 cold weather hats were donated.
An individual can join the Association for an annual fee of $25.
Read more about The Headwear Association on their website.
