On September 12, 1912, fourteen manufacturers of canvas and awnings from the central part of the U.S. met at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver. These canvas men formed a new trade association – the National Tent & Awning Association. The manufacturers had decided to establish the trade association initially to set standard weights and prices for canvas products, action which today would be considered illegal. They were also seeking to form a unified voice to counter the price setting strategies of their suppliers, the cotton mills.

The office of the new association was located in the Endicott building in St. Paul, Minnesota. One of the purposes of the headquarters office was to house the association’s new national industry trade magazine, National Tent and Awning Manufacturer’s Review, which began in 1915.

As the National Tent & Awning Association grew in membership, the annual convention of the organization became a focal point of association activities. Cities hosting the conventions in the early years included Detroit, San Francisco, Kansas City, Boston and New York.

In 1936, the association changed its name to National Canvas Goods Manufacturer’s Association and in 1957 the association changed its name to Canvas Products Association (CPAI). The magazine followed shortly and changed its name to Canvas Products Review.

Many new programs were instituted during the early 1960s and 1970s. These programs were designed to modernize the association and meet the needs of the changing membership. In 1968, the association formally organized its first division, the Industrial Fabrics Research Division. It wasn’t long before additional divisions were formed for manufacturers of rental tents and awnings.

In 1967, the Awning & Custom Products Division was formed which is now known as the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA). In 1966, the magazine changed it’s name to Industrial Fabric Products Review. Today, the magazine name is Review.

A few of the original companies who started the trade association in 1914 are still members of PAMA and they are: The Astrup Co, John Boyle & Co., Peoria Tent & Awning, Wausau Tent & Awning. The following original companies were acquired by others and also continued their PAMA membership: Carnie-Goudie Mfg. Co. now Goodwin-Cole Co. Inc.; C.J. Hoigaard Co. now Hoigaard’s Custom Canvas; Scott-Rawitzer Mfg. Co. now Acme Awning Co., Sioux City Tent & Awning now Mullin Awning & Siding; Southern Tent & Awning Co. now Nashville Tent & Awning Co., Inc.; George B. Carpenter Company was bought in 1937 by partners B.H. Hunzinger and Henry Smith, whose sons later opened separate business: Evanston Awning and the Canvas Smith.

The popularity of awnings and canopies has grown dramatically thanks to improvements in fabrics and other components.

Dyed or painted cotton has been replaced by acrylics, polyesters and other synthetic fiber fabrics that have a much longer life, retain color far longer, are more water repellent and are superior in every way.

Galvanized pipe has largely been replaced by a wide range of coated steel and aluminum tube that is available in a wide range of sizes, shapes and alloys. This tubing is far easier to fabricate into more decorative and unique shapes than was ever possible with pipe.

Advanced chemical coatings have improved the life and appearance of both frames and fabrics.

Computer aided design and computerized fabrication equipment have improved product quality and manufacturing productivity, making awnings more attractive and affordable than ever.