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.
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.”
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