IFAI Takes A Chance On Vegas


H
osting a trade show in Las Vegas is not an easy proposition. If you are looking for a
town full of distractions, a time change for Easterners and a circus-like atmosphere, Vegas is the
city for you. But you have to hand it to the Roseville, Minn.-based Industrial Fabrics Association
International (IFAI) — the show and seminars at IFAI Expo 2007 were strong enough to shine through
the glare of Vegas and the din of clanging one-armed bandits.

According to IFAI, the show attracted 7,637 registered participants from 61
countries and featured 450 exhibitors. In addition, there were 114 industry speakers and
facilitators, nine market-specific symposiums and 10 hands-on workshops and seminars. “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 [in terms of] machinery and also in fabric technology.”

Keynote speaker Philip Lempert, sponsored by Glen Raven, N.C.-based Glen Raven
Custom Fabrics Group LLC, presented an overview of marketing opportunities and shifts caused by the
aging of our society, as well as changes in technology influencing consumer behavior. With a
reasonable attendance on hand for the 8 a.m. start — fairly early in Vegas terms — IFAI members and
Expo attendees showed that for this show, they meant business.

ifai


Achievement Awards, New Conference Announced

IFAI received 387 entries in 28 categories for the 60th International
Achievement Awards, which recognize design, technological innovation and excellence in the
specialty fabrics industry. Entries from 14 countries were submitted for this year’s competition.
See sidebar below for a full list of award winners.

IFAI President Steve Warner made a special announcement to introduce the IFAI
Advanced Textiles 2008 Conference, which will be held in Berlin in June 2008. “Our industry is now
a global marketplace for every country no matter what the size,” Warner said. “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.”

warner

During a special press conference at IFAI 2007, IFAI President Steve Warner announced the
new IFAI Advanced Textiles 2008 conference, to be held in Berlin.


IFAI Expo 2008

IFAI Expo 2008 will be held Oct. 21-23, 2008, at the Charlotte Convention
Center. If past achievements are any indication of future success, IFAI’s track record in Charlotte
is very positive. The 2002 Expo held in that city was a stepping-stone towards attracting larger
numbers of visitors and exhibitors, particularly from the traditional textiles segment of the
industry.

“Exhibitors already are very excited about IFAI Expo 2008 in Charlotte, N.C. —
the heart of textile country,” Lindemann said. “Many exhibitors have increased their booth size for
next year.” Additionally, Lindemann said, exhibitors at the Las Vegas show have already booked 69
percent of the space for IFAI Expo 2008.



IFAI Expo 2007 International Achievement Award Winners


Tensile Structures, under 10,000 square
feet

Award of Excellence

LEAD Inc., Husnes, Kvinnherad, Norway

Project Name:

Outstanding Achievement Award

Comercial Industrial Delta S.A, Lima, Peru

Project Name: Alameda del Rio

Outstanding Achievement Award

Beijing N & L Fabric Technology Co., Beijing, China 

Project Name: Square in the Center of Development Zone of Ningbo

Tensile Structures, 10,000–30,000 square feet

Award of Excellence

LEAD Inc., Husnes, Kvinnherad, Norway

Project Name:
  Tempo

 

Award of Excellence

Oasis Tension Structures (Aust.) Pty. Ltd., Braeside, Victoria, Australia

Project Name: The Grand Pavilion

Outstanding Achievement Award

Architen Landrell Associates Ltd., Monmouthshire, United Kingdom

Project Name: O2 Riverwalk

Outstanding Achievement Award

Comercial Industrial Delta S.A, Lima, Peru

Project Name: Plaza Lima Sur Shopping Center

Tensile Structures, more than 30,000 square feet

Award of Excellence

UFS Australasia Pty Ltd., Kingscliff, New South Wales, Australia

Project Name: Sydney Wildlife World

Outstanding Achievement Award

Birdair Inc., Amherst, N.Y.

Project Name: Kuwait Stadium to Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium

Outstanding Achievement Award

Beijing N & L Fabric Technology Co., Beijing, China 

Project Name: Stadium of Foshan

Air Structures

Award of Excellence

Tectoniks Ltd., Shrewsbury, Shropshire, United Kingdom

Project Name: “Spirit of Dubai” Airship Terminal

Outstanding Achievement Award

Lindstrand Technologies Ltd., Shropshire, United Kingdom

Project Name: Arc Sphere

Outstanding Achievement Award

Tectoniks Ltd., Shrewsbury, Shropshire, United Kingdom

Project Name: Playstation 3 Touring Roadshow

Awnings, Commercial

Award of Excellence

Sunmaster of Naples Inc., Naples, Fla.

Project Name: Edgewater Cantilevered Dining Awning

Outstanding Achievement Award

Architectural Sails, Ashmore City, Queensland, Australia

Project Name: Wynn Casino, Macau, China

Outstanding Achievement Award

Miami Awning Co., Miami

Project Name: Doral Sales Center Entrance Awning

Awnings, Residential

Award of Excellence

Hi Plains Canvas Products Inc., Amarillo, Texas

Project Name: Londa Carrasco

Outstanding Achievement Award

Caribbean Awning Production Co., Castries, Saint Lucia

Project Name: Du Boulay Residence, Cap Estate, St. Lucia

Outstanding Achievement Award

Sunmaster of Naples Inc., Naples, Fla.

Project Name: Deangelico Curved Accent Awnings

Awnings, Retractable

Award of Excellence

Chesterfield Awning Co. Inc., South Holland, Ill.

Project Name: Macy’s

Outstanding Achievement Award

Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Co., Souderton, Pa.

Project Name: Haven Lake Installation

Outstanding Achievement Award

Rainier Industries Ltd. Tukwila, Wash.

Project Name: Interbay Golf Course

Canopies, Commercial

Award of Excellence

Rainier Industries Ltd., Tukwila, Wash.

Project Name: Gaia Hotel

Outstanding Achievement Award

Sunmaster of Naples Inc., Naples, Fla.

Project Name: Aria Entry “Porte Cochere”

Outstanding Achievement Award

G & J Awning and Canvas Inc., Sauk Rapids, Minn.

Project Name: St. Patrick’s Church

Canopies, Residential

Award of Excellence

Rainier Industries Ltd., Tukwila, Wash.

Project Name: The Sling

Outstanding Achievement Award

Jones Awnings & Canvas Inc., Pompano Beach, Fla.

Project Name: Private Residence

Outstanding Achievement Award

Awning Factory & Marine Canvas, Oakland Park, Fla.

Project Name: King Residence

Free-Standing Canopies

Award of Excellence

Sunmaster of Naples Inc., Naples, Fla.

Project Name: A Trellis Runs Thru It

Outstanding Achievement Award

Sollertia Inc., Montreal

Project Name: Ripple Effect

Outstanding Achievement Award

Sollertia Inc., Montreal

Project Name: Val-Morin Terrace Canopy

Shades

Award of Excellence

G&J Awning and Canvas Inc., Sauk Rapids, Minn.

Project Name: Cross Lake Cabin

Outstanding Achievement Award

Sunmaster Of Naples Inc., Naples, Fla.

Project Name: Rooftop Dining Screens (Wensinger)

Outstanding Achievement Award

Lake Gaston Awning, Bracey, Va.

Project Name: Arnold Library

Interior Banners

Award of Excellence

Architen Landrell Associates Ltd., Monmouthshire, United Kingdom

Project Name: Duxford Airspace

Outstanding Achievement Award

Judy Dioszegi, Designer, Libertyville, Ill.

Project Name: Journey

Outstanding Achievement Award

Banner Creations Inc., Minneapolis

Project Name: Avant Storefront

Exterior Banners, more than 500 yards

Award of Excellence

Rainier Industries Ltd., Tukwila, Wash.

Project Name: Cheney Stadium

Marine Powerboats

Award of Excellence

Cape Canvas & Rigging Service, West Yarmouth, Mass.

Project Name: 31-foot Jupiter Center Console

Outstanding Achievement Award

Mike’s Marine Custom Canvas, Virginia Beach, Va.

Project Name: 30-foot Glacier Bay Center Console

Outstanding Achievement Award

Rainier Industries Ltd., Tukwila, Wash.

Project Name: Tiara Yacht Enclosure

Marine Upholstery

Award of Excellence

DRH Canvas & Marine Ltd., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Project Name: Chris Craft Interior Upholstery

Outstanding Achievement Award

Yacht Charmer Interiors LLC, Apollo Beach, Fla.

Project Name: 20-foot Deck Boat

Outstanding Achievement Award

European Custom Upholstery, Lighthouse Point, Fla.

Project Name: Cockpit and Interior Cushions

Marine Sailboats

Award of Excellence

Iverson’s Design, Olympia, Wash.

Project Name: Extra-large Dodger

Outstanding Achievement Award

Iverson’s Design, Olympia, Wash.

Project Name: Elan 386 Retractable Dodger

Outstanding Achievement Award

Iverson’s Design, Olympia, Wash.

Project Name: Yellow Enclosure on Beneteau 353

Party Tent Rental

Award of Excellence

Chicago Party Rental, Countryside, Ill.

Project Name: 2006 Lexus Dealer Conference

Outstanding Achievement Award

Advanced Tent Rental Ltd., Concord, Ontario, Canada

Project Name: Bresler-Donahue Wedding

Outstanding Achievement Award

Eventstar Productions, Medley, Fla.

Project Name: Kansas City Wedding

Commercial Tent Rental

Award of Excellence

Röder Zelt und Veranstaltungsservice GmbH, Büdingen, Germany

Project Name: Car Presentation Smart For Two, November 2006, Stuttgart, Germany

Outstanding Achievement Award

Special Event Tent & Party Rental, Bangor, Pa.

Project Name: Di Sabatino Construction Project

Outstanding Achievement Award

Röder Zelt und Veranstaltungsservice GmbH, Büdingen, Germany

Project Name: Equestrian World Championships

Tent Manufacturing

Award of Excellence

Pacific Domes, Ashland, Ore.

Project Name: Premier, Metropolis Mall

Award of Excellence

Carpas y Lonas el Carrousel S.A. de C.V., Mexico City

Project Name: Tent for Animatronix Tour

Outstanding Achievement Award

Carpas y Lonas el Carrousel S.A. de C.V., Mexico City

Project Name: Bardum Circus

Outstanding Achievement Award

Carpas y Lonas el Carrousel S.A. de C.V., Mexico City

Project Name: Tent Tensostructure for Playa Mia Beach Club

Architectural Structures

Award of Excellence

Jens J. Meyer, Visual Artist, Essen, NRW, Germany

Project Name: Hovering Archives

Outstanding Achievement Award

FTL Design Engineering Studio, New York

Project Name: City Place Performance Bandshell

Outstanding Achievement Award

USA Shade & Fabric Structures Inc., Costa Mesa, Calif.

Project Name: Westgate Mall

Outstanding Achievement Award

Taiyo Membrane Corp., Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Project Name: Radisson Resort, Fiji Denarau Island

Trade Show, Display & Stage

Award of Excellence

Moss Inc., Belfast, Maine

Project Name: Nokia “NGage” Tradeshow Booth

Outstanding Achievement Award

Moss Inc., Belfast, Maine

Project Name: Crashing the Culture, PepsiCo Consumer Day 2007

Outstanding Achievement Award

Transformit, Gorham, Maine

Project Name: Starkey Hearing at AAA 2006

Outstanding Achievement Award

University of Texas College of Architecture, San Antonio, Texas

Project Name: Advanced Fabrics Exhibition Structure, IFAI Expo 2005

Commercial Interiors

Award of Excellence

Taiyo Kogyo Corp., Tokyo

Project Name: Flower Dance

Outstanding Achievement Award

Eventscape Inc., Toronto

Project Name: Stockton Event Center

Outstanding Achievement Award

Hightex GmbH, Rimsting, Germany

Project Name: Monumento Homenaje a Las Victimas de Los Atentados Del 11M

Interactive and Cold-Air Inflatables

Award of Excellence

Kanbo Pras Corp., Osaka, Japan

Project Name: Baseball glove

Outstanding Achievement Award

Canvasland Holdings Ltd., Levin, New Zealand

Project Name: Hold

Outstanding Achievement Award

Giant International, Victoria, Australia

Project Name: Inflatable Wall at Federation Square

Geosynthetic Projects

Award of Excellence

TenCate Geosynthetics, Pendergrass, Ga.

Project Name: Yeager Airport Runway 5 Safety Area Improvements, Charleston, W.Va.

Outstanding Achievement Award

ML Ingeniería, Morelos, Mexico

Project Name: Chilpancingo Retaining Walls

Outstanding Achievement Award

Flint Industries Inc., Metter, Ga.

Project Name: Sludge Pond Cap

Industrial Applications

Award of Excellence

Taiyo Kogyo Corp., Tokyo

Project Name: Cool Cargo FZ

Outstanding Achievement Award

Hi Plains Canvas Products Inc., Amarillo, Texas

Project Name: City Tractor

Outstanding Achievement Award

AR Tech, Div. of A&R Tarpaulin, Fontana, Calif.

Project Name: Remote Roll-Over

Safety and Protective

Award of Excellence

AR Tech, Division of A&R Tarpaulin, Fontana, Calif.

Project Name: DRA Protection Pads

Outstanding Achievement Award

Thermal Control Products, Inc., Concord, N.C.

Project Name: Flame-retardant Furnace Pad

Outstanding Achievement Award

AR Tech, Div. of A&R Tarpaulin, Fontana, Calif.

Project Name: Amp Systems

Miscellaneous

Award of Excellence

Capitol Awning Co. Inc., Jamaica, N.Y.

Project Name: Waldorf Towers

Outstanding Achievement Award

Carpas Y Lonas El Carrousel S.A. de C.V., Mexico City

Project Name: Trajineras

Outstanding Achievement Award

Expert Upholstery, Gloucester City, N.J.

Project Name: 1953 Porsche

Multiple Fabric Structures

Award of Excellence

Tropical Js Inc., Honolulu

Project Name: Miramar Canopy, Awnings and Umbrellas

Outstanding Achievement Award

Tropical Js Inc., Honolulu

Project Name: Fairfield Hawaii, Waikiki

Outstanding Achievement Award

Trimmer Smith Awning & Upholstery, Mobile, Ala.

Project Name: Beau Rivage Casino Resort

Source:
http://www.ifai.com

January/February 2008

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