IAA shines a spotlight on the extraordinary versatility of specialty fabrics, which are integral to thousands of products and applications across diverse sectors in the ever-expanding $130 billion global textiles market.

This year’s awards drew over 202 entries across 46 categories, with winners handpicked for their complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness, and function. The judging panel included industry experts, editors, architects, educators, and design professionals.

IAA, sponsored by ATA, continues to champion innovation in the specialty fabrics and technical textiles marketplace. As a not-for-profit trade association representing more than 1,300 member companies worldwide, ATA is committed to advancing the industry’s growth and global influence.

Below are just a few of the Award of Excellence winners!

Awnings and Canopies

• Project Title: Port Miami
  • Winner: Dunn Lightweight Architecture

Advanced Textiles

• Project Title: Privee: A Wearable for Real-Time Bladder Monitoring
  • Winner: University of California, Davis

Fabric Environments

• Project Title: Sea Change: Darkness and Light in the Gulf of Maine
  • Winner: Transformit

Fabric Structures

• Project Title: Glow Plaza
  • Winner: GuildWorks

Geosynthetic Projects

• Project Title: Yerba Buena
  • Winner: Solmax

Marine

• Project Title: Grandbanks Transformation
  • Winner: Kustom Canvas and Vinyl

Tent

• Project Title: Ledongli Sports Center
  • Winner: Röder Architecture

Posted: September 24, 2024

Source: Advanced Textiles Association (ATA)

Herculite product experts will be on hand to discuss recent performance textile innovations, product manufacturing capabilities, and collaborative design processes. There will be samples of Architent® Beyond Coated, a specially formulated thermoplastic fabric for tents and structures. Herculite will also showcase its Greenguard Gold certified materials, including Weather-Chek Awning and Shade, Sure-Chek Linen Curtain, and Architent StarFree Tent Fabrics.

The Advanced Textiles Expo 2024 will be held from September 24-26, 2024, with education from September 23-26 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Posted: September 16, 2024

Source: Herculite Products Inc.

This year’s event was again collocated with Sun Shading Expo North America, which is organized by Messe Stuttgart, the founders of R + T, the world’s leading trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun shading systems.

Advanced Textiles Expo and Sun Shading Expo North America combined to attract 4,517 attendees to the Orange County Convention Center where they had direct access to the textile and sun shading industries’ leading companies. Beyond the action on the show floor, both attendees and exhibitors networked and socialized at the Opening Reception as well as the crowd-favorite Industry Night.

375 exhibiting companies made up the combined show floor, displaying their latest products, equipment, and services. In addition to visiting exhibit booths, the show floor also hosted live equipment demonstrations, market update meetings and over 20 campfire education sessions broken out by Emerging Technologies, Specialty Fabrics, and Shade and Weather Protection markets.

“The first ever Advanced Textiles Expo is a wrap and we’re pleased with the positive feedback on the trade show and the many social networking events last week. Our 2nd year collocating with Sun Shading Expo North America brought new leads, more to see and learn.” said ATA President and CEO, Steve Schiffman.

Schiffman also added, “Besides the name change from IFAI Expo, which was the last step of a comprehensive rebrand of the trade association, we added many new show floor content options, including a live podcast, new education tracks and more. These are just the first steps of our long-term strategy of improving the value proposition for everyone. For 2024, in Anaheim, we are merging Smart Fabrics Summit, with our Emerging Technologies Conference and continuing our content evolution, bringing new attendees to the event which will give exhibitors more reason to participate in Expo than ever before.”

New this year was the Emerging Technologies Conference, which was held on Oct. 31, the day before the show floor opened. This conference offered a Plenary session and networking lunch followed by an afternoon of 12 classroom education sessions dedicated to the emerging technologies and smart textile markets. Topics included wearables, aerospace advancements, biomedical applications, nanotechnology, automation and more.

Also taking place on Oct. 31 were two deep-dive workshops. The topics of the workshops were “Emotional Intelligence Training” taught by Dr. Melissa Furman of Career Potential LLC and “Mastering Leadership for the Modern Sales Team” taught by Toby Payne of Sandler Training. Each workshop supplied attendees with valuable information to help improve their company.

Advanced Textiles Expo also hosted 15 market-specific classroom education sessions focused on shade and weather protection, supply chain challenges, marine, sustainability, workforce development and business operations, along with a wealth of other specialty fabrics and advanced textile-focused content.

Highlights at Advanced Textiles Expo included the Opening Reception, which took place just outside of the show floor, allowing participants to socialize and listen to music. Industry Night at Blake Shelton’s Ole Red was a popular event where attendees enjoyed live music from ATA member band, Hangin’ by a Thread, which is comprised of industry veterans along with some guest vocalists.

Keynoter Jeff Butler engaged attendees with his presentation “Building an Effective Multigenerational Workforce”, focusing on how to manage and work with various generations.  The Annual Fun Run/Walk also returned to Expo this year and allowed participants to either run or walk around the mapped-out route near the Orange County Convention Center.

Outstanding new products and materials were recognized on the show floor at their booths as a part of this year’s Show Stopper Program. These companies received an award and winner’s flag that is displayed in their booth to signify their innovative work.

Attendees also had the opportunity to take part in the ATA Division Update Meeting that took place in the ATA Hub on the show floor. This meeting encompassed all divisions and member groups of ATA to provide updates and valuable information on how ATA membership can serve every member’s individual needs.

Join thousands of your industry peers next year in Anaheim, CA  for Advanced Textiles Expo 2024. The official dates are Sept. 24–26, 2024, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA USA.

Posted: November 14, 2023

Source: Advanced Textiles Association (ATA)

ATA’s goal with the IAA is to promote awareness of the specialty fabrics used in thousands of products and applications in the rapidly growing, $130 billion-plus dollar global fabrics marketplace.

ATA received a total of 200 entries in 42 categories for this year’s competition. Winners were selected based on complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness and function. Judges included industry experts, editors, architects, educators and design professionals.

The International Achievement Awards competition is sponsored by ATA, a not-for-profit trade association with more than 1,600 member companies representing the international specialty fabrics and technical textiles marketplace.

Awnings & Canopies

• Project Title: Dreamworld Steel Taipan, Queensland, Australia
• Winner: Fabritecture

Advanced Textiles

• Project Title: CalmWear: A Smart Tactile Sensory Stimulation Clothing
• Winner: University of California, Davis

Fabric Environments

• Project Title: Ningbo Enrich Life Bio-Tec Factory and Office Building
• Winner: Pfeifer Spatial Structures (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Fabric Structures

• Project Title: Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
• Winner: FTL Design Engineering Studio

Geosynthetic Projects

• Project Title: Des Moines Riverbank Stabilization
• Winner: Propex

Marine

• Project Title: Fountain of Youth
• Winner: In Stiches Customs

Tent

• Project Title: Mountain Cathedral
• Winner: Sandone Productions

Posted: October 27, 2022

Source: Advanced Textiles Association (ATA)

IFAI Expo and Sun Shading Expo North America together delivered more than 4,200 attendees access to the industry’s leading companies, live product demonstrations on the show floor, exciting social events, the latest innovations in technology and textiles as well as valuable education and insight on current trends.

Attendees had the opportunity to browse a combined show floor of 314 exhibiting companies who were displaying their latest products, equipment, and services. In addition to visiting exhibit booths, the show floor also hosted over 20 campfire education sessions broken out by Advanced Textiles, Specialty Fabrics, and Shade and Weather Protection markets.

“We are pleased with our inaugural collocation with Sun Shading Expo North America. One of our primary objectives in the collocation was to deliver new leads, new markets, more international attendees and ultimately more value to exhibitors. We saw some extremely positive indicators that the textiles industry is on the upswing—orders were being written, machinery was being sold and business owners received valuable insight on the latest trends and innovations to help them propel their businesses forward. Through Expo, we provided a space for fabricators and suppliers to safely convene and do business.” said Steve Schiffman, president and CEO of Advanced Textiles Association (ATA).

The Advanced Textiles (AT) Conference was held on October 11, the day before the show floor opened. The AT Conference offered a Plenary session and networking lunch followed by an afternoon of 12 classroom education sessions dedicated to the Advanced Textiles market. Topics included Advancing Textile Manufacturing Through Collaboration, Innovations in E-Textiles, 3D Printing, Medical Textile Breakthroughs, and Sustainability in Advanced Textiles.

IFAI Expo also hosted two days of market-specific classroom education featuring 20 sessions focused on shade and weather protection, graphics, marine, sustainability and business operations, along with a wealth of other specialty fabrics and advanced textile-focused content.

“I would say my favorite part of expo is seeing the entire supply chain. It’s important to have those conversations with vendors and customers to gain knowledge and make better business decisions moving forward for your company,” said Jordan Krauss, vice president, American Cord and Webbing.

Highlights at Expo included IFAI Expo’s Opening Reception, which took place just outside of the show floor, allowing participants to socialize, enjoy refreshments and hors d’oeuvres and listen to music. Industry Night at the Charlotte Beer Garden was a popular event where attendees enjoyed live music from ATA member band, Hangin’ by a Thread, which is comprised of industry veterans along with some guest vocalists.

Keynoter Elliot Eisenberg engaged attendees with his in-depth and thought-provoking speech on preparing for what comes next in the economy. The Annual Fun Run/Walk also returned to Expo this year and allowed participants to either run or walk a designated route throughout uptown Charlotte.

Multiple companies were recognized for their outstanding work at this year’s Awards Tower Experience. This new area of the show floor allowed attendees to view all of the impressive work on award boards displaying all of the winners and award entries. Also recognized on the show floor were the winners of this year’s Show Stopper Program. These companies received an award and winner’s flag that is displayed in their booth to signify their innovative work.

“Seeing a lot of really cool stuff. Things that will help us step our game up. I think it’s good to just get out and meet people. Especially being somewhat new in the industry. There’s a lot of people here who have 20-30 years of knowledge and I’m hoping to sponge up some of that knowledge. Outside of just seeing the suppliers, new products, and stuff like that getting to meet people who have been in the industry for a long time can really help me overcome some of the hurdles that we’re encountering,” said Dorian True, Carolina CoverTech.

Just before attendees were directed to view the awards tower on the show floor, the ATA Division Meeting took place in the ATA Hub. This meeting encompassed all divisions of ATA to provide updates and valuable information on how ATA membership can serve every member’s individual needs.

Finally, the announcement was made that starting in 2023, IFAI Expo will now be called the Advanced Textiles Expo. This event will still offer all of the exceptional value that IFAI Expo has but with a new look and brand name attached to it.

On the rebranding of IFAI Expo and future of the event, President and CEO of ATA Steve Schiffman added this: “ATA is proud to host a gathering place where all markets across the advanced textiles industry can come together and get business done. With that said, we’re just scratching the surface of making changes designed to improve the attendee experience, which will become evident over the next few Expos.”

Join thousands of your industry peers next year in Orlando for the debut of the Advanced Textiles Expo. The official dates are November 1–3, 2023 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

More information about Advanced Textiles Expo 2023 is coming soon.

Posted: October 24, 2022

Source: Advanced Textiles Association (ATA)

Professionals can feel confident specifying Exceed FR because it has passed and complies with a total of 12 FR tests and certifications, including NFPA 705, California Title 19, NFPA 701 and CPAI-84. Exceed FR is further backed by the industry’s most comprehensive warranty, including labor costs*, and is compatible with the Sunbrella Graphics System, providing customers limitless options for custom logos and other designs across a variety of commercial shade structures.

“We’re excited to expand our offering of fabric solutions for commercial shade projects to include this inherently FR option,” said Kirk Fitzsimmons, director of industrial sales at Sunbrella. “Fabricators, architects and business owners now have an FR offering they can trust with the support, warranty and brand expectations that have defined Sunbrella for decades.”

In addition to best-in-class FR performance, Exceed FR offers superior sun protection with a UPF 50+ rating, blocking 98-percent of UV rays. The fabric is bleach-cleanable and resistant to mold, mildew, dirt, stains and fading. As with all Sunbrella shade fabrics, Exceed FR is water- and oil-repellant while still being breathable to create a pleasant and comfortable space below.

Exceed FR will be available beginning January 2023 in four versatile colors: Black, Captain Navy, Forest Green and Jockey Red. For professionals interested in specifying the product, more information and local distributors will be available at Commercial.Sunbrella.com.

New Additions to the Sunbrella Shade Collection

Alongside Exceed FR, Sunbrella is introducing its updated Sunbrella Shade Collection, including 17 new additions. The offering is designed to help create calming outdoor oases that emanate visual softness and an air of relaxation by balancing soothing colors with dynamic neutrals.

New standout patterns include:

Paxton – A nuanced take on the traditional bar stripe, this timeless pattern offers both visual and tactile texture and is available in three neutral colorways.

Marco – Available in four colorways, this elevated stripe was inspired by the tweed and heathered materials of men’s suiting and features a softer approach to stripes that evokes movement and complements a wide range of exterior settings.

Hogan – A new textural solid with a faux slub weave that creates peaks and valleys, producing dynamic visual interest. Hogan elevates outdoor spaces with a range of rich hues balanced by versatile neutrals and is available in seven colorways.

To learn more about the new additions to the Sunbrella Shade Collection and find a local fabricator, visit Sunbrella.com.

Posted: October 13, 2022

Source: Sunbrella

BRM’s new fabrics utilize custom weave designs and high-performance fibers or combinations of fibers. BRM has created these patterns specific to end-use applications and can customize  innovative patterns for new applications. Come see materials in the following categories:

• E-WEBBINGS® – woven fabrics of traditional fibers in conjunction with “functional” elements: conductivity, light transmission, and sensors.
• Composites – fabrics that contain more than one unique fiber for the purpose of utilizing different and inherent properties of each component fiber.
• Tapes and Webbing with Superior Properties – high strength to weight ratio, chemical resistance, low elongation, and many more.
• Materials on Planet Mars – engineered fibers and fabrics utilized by NASA, ESA, and commercial near and deep space contractors for mission success and to keep our astronauts and pilots safe.

For a century, IFAI Expo has been the industrial fabrics industry’s flagship show. As the premier textiles event, IFAI Expo is the place where industry stakeholders and leaders connect, learn, and make purchases in order to grow their business.

For more information, connect with experts at BRM booth A802 at IFAI 2022 or visit https://www.ballyribbon.com/.

Posted: October 11, 2022

Source: Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM)

“We are so glad to have the Upholstery & Trim International Council and its members joining IFAI. The opportunity to integrate UTIC companies into IFAI’s existing divisions just makes sense and allows us to have a deeper connection to the upholstery and trim markets. Former UTIC members will receive full membership benefits and value as IFAI members,” said Steve Schiffman, IFAI CEO and president.

According to Brian Joyner, chairman of UTIC, their mission is to protect and advance the interests of businesses providing aftermarket products and services to all their markets. UTIC educates, informs, serves, and provides networking opportunities for companies that manufacture or distribute interior and exterior fabrics, associated hardware and other specialty products.

“The Upholstery and Trim International Council is extremely excited to join forces with IFAI. After an extensive search process, IFAI emerged as the clear winner. It is a well-run organization and offers many unique benefits to its members. Our executive committee felt that it will add tremendous value to our members. We are looking forward to a long-term partnership, starting with our annual convention in Las Vegas in November!” Joyner said.

UTIC’s annual convention focuses on building relationships between the premier trim wholesalers and exhibitors in the auto industry. This year’s UTIC convention is scheduled for November at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.

Posted: May 4, 2022

Source: Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI)

Submit your projects by June 15, 2022.

What are the IAA’s?
The International Achievement Awards (IAA) are an annual competition with a goal to recognize and promote awareness of specialty fabrics used in thousands of products and applications across the industry. Awards are given in 7 major categories and 42 subcategories and are judged by industry experts.

Why Enter?

• All projects entered in the IAA’s are included in the online gallery year round which guarantees exposure for your company;
• Winners are featured in Specialty Fabrics Review magazine which is read in print and digitally by over 30,000 industry professionals monthly;
• Receive an award at the annual IAA Awards Breakfast at IFAI Expo 2022 and be recognized by hundreds of industry professionals; and
• Showcase your talent and boost your credibility

Major Categories

• Advanced Textiles;
• Awnings and Canopies;
• Fabric Environments;
• Fabric Structures;
• Geosynthetics;
• Marine; and
• Tent

Submit Highest Quality Photos

When submitting your entries, please upload the highest quality photos possible. The photos uploaded when entering will be used to display your projects on IFAI websites, publications and signage.

Posted March 15, 2022

Source: IFAI

After being held virtually last year during the pandemic, nearly 100 business leaders and professionals of multiple generations converged on the Château Élan Winery and Resort in Braselton, Ga., to reconnect, learn and gain inspiration at the fourth-annual event. These women were able to share their experiences through several networking events and activities, gain insights into paths to success and hear compelling speakers with timely, relevant messages.

The summit featured engaging sessions, openhearted interaction and connection-building opportunities during business sessions and activities that included receptions, a wine tasting, yoga, a morning walk, a mindfulness break and a trivia contest. Indeed, the unique event provided a forum for growth and leadership.

Under the theme, “Continuing to Believe What is Possible,” the event was co-emceed by Apurba Banerjee, principal textiles engineer-Hand Tools at Milwaukee Tools, and Rachal McCarthy, president of NTI Global. A number of returning attendees were on hand, along with many first-timers, including Tanya Wade, intake administrator at the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC), Conover, N.C.

“This was my first time attending the Women in Textiles Summit and it did not disappoint!” Wade said. “There is nothing that can compare to the energy and comradery of a group of women who are on a mission to support and build up each other. And that’s exactly what this conference is all about. I met a lot of new friends and industry contacts and look forward to meeting more at the next Women in Textiles Summit.”

In a poignant Opening Day keynote, “Pivots & Pirouettes for the Post-Pandemic World,” Mary-Cathryn Kolb, founder & CEO of Atlanta-based brrr°, explained the challenges and opportunities she has experienced since launching the company in 2014, the pandemic notwithstanding. She said the highs are high and the lows are low — but the experience of entrepreneurship, especially now that the company is reaching the “tipping point of it being a fun ride,” is deeply fulfilling. Kolb discussed the devastating impacts of the pandemic and subsequent supply chain disruptions to her business, which pushed her team to look inward, strengthen as a team and emerge poised for growth.

In the Closing Day keynote — back by popular demand from the last in-person summit in 2020 — Karen Hinds brought numerous inspiring messages in her presentation, “It’s Not Too Late: How to Boldly Step into Your Greatness.” Hinds, author of several books and founder and CEO of Workplace Success Group, motivated attendees — in animated and entertaining fashion—through anecdotes and stories aimed at getting them out of their comfort zones, to find a network of people to “support and irritate” them, to establish financial security and to be sure to take time to for themselves to “relax, exercise and enjoy the ride.” By “irritate,” she said we all need people around us who “nitpick and test us” in order to think differently and reach our full potential.

Other presenters

Among other speakers sharing their insights and wisdom from the dais were:

• Jennifer Fennell, CPM, director of Supply Chain at Polo Custom Products, Topeka, Kan., who discussed “How Supply Chain Can Capitalize on the Challenges of 2021” in the first of two Market Segments. She discussed the keys to managing her global team and keeping them engaged and forward-thinking—remotely—during the pandemic and “every supply chain nightmare imaginable. When faced with the unthinkable, we all rolled up our sleeves and went to work, together. COVID, this common enemy among us, brought us together in a unique and unbreakable way.”
• Rachal McCarthy, president of NTI Global, a family-owned and operated industrial plastics and textile manufacturer, Dallas, Texas, who offered a personal testimony in, “Unbalanced: The Story of My Life, My Work, and My 4th Grade Nemesis.” She debunked the common work-life balance myth, saying, “Balance comes from you and what you need, despite what society wants us to think.” She told attendees they should “be real” with themselves and make behavioral changes for a more balanced life by identifying what contributes to their balance; setting goals that support that quest for balance; and stop “shoulding” and start doing.
• Jasmine Cox, director of Textile Technology Programs and Business Innovation, Textile Technology Center at Gaston College, Belmont, N.C., who presented an interactive session on attracting and retaining new talent and some of the struggles women face in the industry. Mentorship and development are crucial factors in retention, she said, explaining methods for and the importance of each.
• Melissa Henkle, director of Brand Sales at Unifi Manufacturing, Inc., covered the importance of sustainability in the second Market Segment, dubbed “A Wardrobe to Die For.” She discussed how the Greensboro, N.C.-based company is sourcing recycled materials, reducing energy, water and greenhouse gas emissions and helping plan for a future in circularity. She reported that as plastics and textiles make up high percentages of the contents of landfills, Unifi is working tirelessly to help reduce these numbers. The company recently reached the 30 billion milestone for converting recycled plastic bottles into polyester chips that are used in its REPREVE® yarn performance fibers, she said and explained Unifi’s REPREVE® Our Ocean program with brands collects ocean-bound plastics for recycling.

In a fascinating panel discussion through generations of textile and IFAI leadership, past and current chairs of the IFAI discussed how they navigated their responsibilities while also running their own companies and personal lives. Panelists included Amy Bircher, CEO & founder of MMI Textiles Inc., current IFAI chair; Katie Bradford, MFC, IFM, owner of Custom Marine Canvas and the first female chair of IFAI; and Kathy Schaefer, IFM, owner and COO of Glawe Awnings and Tent Company, IFAI immediate past chair.

The summit also included engaging roundtable discussions, where participants learned more about each other and the challenges they face. Topics included mentorships, professional advancement, supply chain disruption and “get to know” IFAI and other attendee companies.

“I felt energized after attending the virtual conference last year and was excited to attend my first IFAI Women in Textiles Summit in person this year,” said Meg R. Patel, marketing manager, Décor-Textile Division at Milliken & Company, Spartanburg, S.C. “Between the lineup of inspiring speakers on various relevant topics women are facing today and plenty of networking time, coupled with fun activities in a beautiful venue, it all enabled me to create deeper connections within the textile industry. I left feeling empowered and motivated to tackle the next challenge at work.”

Save the date

Next year’s summit will take place March 1–3, 2023, at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, S.C.

Posted: March 3, 2022

Source: Industrial Fabric Association International’s (IFAI)