Professional Awning Manufacturers Association

(Roseville, Minn. – Oct. 10, 2007) –- The final tallies are in, and IFAI Expo 2007 had another smashing success this year as the largest specialty fabrics trade show in the Americas.

The Industrial Fabrics Association International hosted 7,637 registered participants from 61 countries, packing the aisles of the Las Vegas Convention Center's exhibit hall Oct. 3-5. A total of 450 exhibitors displayed an impressive array of new products, smart fabrics and green solutions.

"The attendance at IFAI Expo builds each year and is living proof of the health of our industry," said Todd Lindemann, IFAI's vice president of conference management. "We continue to see strong growth in the digital graphics market with machinery and also in fabric technology."

Steve Weiss of Sattler North America gave this year's trade show a rave review: "The amount of business I received in the first hour paid for my entire exhibiting cost at Expo 2007."

Innovation was a common theme throughout IFAI Expo 2007, and this was certainly borne out by the innovations in specialty fabrics on display. Some examples:

Brad Poorman, president of Cocona Natural Technology, displayed samples of a fabric derived from coconut shells. At a time when the worldwide textile industry is searching for "smart," innovative natural technologies, Cocona fabrics and yarns step up to the challenge with remarkable evaporative cooling, UV protection and odor management.
Ed Hogenauer, senior sales representative at the YKK booth, was showing off one of the many "little parts" that make a big difference, an airtight YKK zipper on an astronaut's space suit. YKK was also introducing an environmentally friendly zipper called the Natulon, made from recycled materials, low emission and low-waste technology.
Dazian Fabrics promoted its environmentally friendly fabrics for the event, exhibit, architectural and hospitality industries. Dazian manufactures fabric made from recycled polyester and provides customers with statistics on the BTUs of energy that each yard of fabric conserves. Recycled polyester is made from post-industrial waste and post-consumer plastic bottles.
Matt Dallara, account manager for VELCRO USA, was showing off the ingenious product with the famous name, which was celebrating its 60th anniversary with Expo visitors. VELCRO introduced a new product at Expo 2007 called Ultra-Mate SC2, a new fastener featuring a single-component closure system.
Michelle Sahlin, IFAI division manager of the Professional Awnings Manufacturers Association (PAMA), promoted a news story about the division's three-year national consumer awnings awareness campaign, "Awnings Today," focusing on energy savings. PAMA commissioned an awnings energy study which was conducted by the Center for Sustainable Research at the University of Minnesota.
"Awnings in Residential Buildings: The Impact on Energy Use and Peak Demand" provides real data on how consumers can reduce their energy consumption, especially during peak demand in summer months. The study shows that installing awnings is a simple step that individuals and families can take for significant savings on cooling costs and on peak electrical demand by reducing solar gain through home windows, as well as for protection against U/V rays.

IFAI's keynote speaker on opening day was the well-known marketing expert Phili Lempert, a savvy analyst of consumer behavior. Lempert provided insights into marketing to the Baby Boom generation, new trends and products, and the changing retail landscape. Lempert's presentation identified and explained impending trends and related specialty fabric solutions to a packed audience of exhibitors and attendees.

IFAI Expo 2007 also offered 114 industry speakers and facilitators, nine market-specific symposiums and 10 hands-on workshops and seminars. Many of the sessions sold out and included insights and how-tos on e-textiles, super technologies for sports gear, a global exchange on battlefield textiles, and a special pre-show symposium for a non-traditional Expo audience of architects, designers and engineers focusing on sustainable design with fabrics.

The breakout event at Expo 2007 was a creative take on high-tech fabrics, a "high-tech fashion show," which drew nearly 500 attendees to a full-out catwalk parade male and female models dressed in the latest apparel that science and engineering have to offer.

IFAI's creative crown jewel at IFAI Expo is unquestionably the annual announcement of the International Achievement Awards. Now celebrating their 60th year, the International Achievement Awards recognize design, technological innovation and excellence in the specialty fabrics industry. This year IFAI received a record 387 entries in 28 categories, from 14 countries. Award winners are selected for their design, complexity, workmanship, uniqueness and function. The goal of the event is to promote awanress of the specialty fabrics used in thousands of products.

IFAI President Steve Warner held a press conference at IFAI Expo to make announce the IFAI Advanced Textiles 2008 Conference, which will be held in Berlin, Germany, in June 2008. The conference will examine innovative, emerging technologies advancing the worldwide smart textile marketplace.

Warner spoke about IFAI's "big-picture" view: "Our industry in now a global marketplace for every country, no matter what size. Strategic partnerships and alliances are part of a new landscape in business success. Activities such as this conference help lay the foundation for our members' success and build the strength and voice of our association on behalf of our members around the world."

Lindemann said 69 percent of exhibit space for IFAI Expo 2008 in Charlotte, N.C., has been reserved, and many exhibitors are increasing their booth sizes for next year.