PAMA kicks off 3rd year of national consumer awareness campaign - www.awningstoday.com

PAMA Continues to Build Consumer Awareness, Interest in Awnings

Continuing to educate consumers about the benefits of awnings - from increasing energy efficiency to extending outdoor living space - the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA) has launched the third year of its "Awnings Today" campaign. With all 346 association members involved and committed to educating consumers, PAMA remains the industry resource for awning information.

"PAMA members are located across the U.S., in Canada and several other countries. PAMA members represent the depth of industry expertise. They can make recommendations to address varying customer needs in each marketplace - from cost and style, to size and functionality," said Michelle Sahlin, managing director, PAMA. "As we continue to build on the success from the first two years of the "Awnings Today" campaign, the PAMA member network remains a powerful resource for consumers."

Homeowners look to increase their home's value and also be more eco-minded in home upgrades. As a dedicated resource for residential awnings and awning benefits, PAMA helps consumers take advantage of home living trends. 

"Consumer trends point to outdoor living rooms, "green" living and protection from the sun - and awnings address all of these," said Sahlin. "By continuing to educate homeowners about awnings and offer them with an extensive network of experts, we're giving them another option in following these trends."

The "Awnings Today" Web site also remains a key component of the campaign. With consumer information, frequently asked questions, images, video and a member locator by zip code, consumers have all the resources they need to research, review and contact a local manufacturer about installing an awning on their home.For more information about the program contact Michelle Sahlin at +1 651 225 6948, mesahlin@ifai.com.

Save time, money, and the environment when you register online at www.ifaiexpo.com

Do you have a cool, innovative product or service that the world should know about?

Make a special presentation to buyers at the IFAI Expo 2008 Innovation Theater Call for show floor presentations - IFAI is offering your company the opportunity to do a 20-minute presentation during the trade show in the Innovation Theater, a new show floor presentation area at IFAI Expo 2008. IFAI will provide a podium, microphone, projector and screen. Attendees are free to watch your presentation on a traffic flow basis, and a seating area will provided.

The schedule of selected presentations will be online at www.ifaiexpo.com prior to the show to help attendees make their show floor plans; and onsite signage will indicate presentation times. To submit your request for a free show floor presentation, simply send a short (40-500 words) description of your product or service to Todd Lindemann at tvlindemann@ifai.com, or mail to Todd Lindemann, VP Conference Management, IFAI, 1801 County Road B W, Roseville, MN  55113-4061.  Deadline for submissions is September 1, 2008.  You will be notified before October 1 if your presentation has been selected, along with the presentation day and time. Take advantage of the convenient, new schedule planner / matchmaker on www.ifaiexpo.com An online matchmaking service at the Networking Service Center debuted this month to help IFAI Expo 2008 attendees and exhibitors make the most of their experience at IFAI Expo 2008.

Attendees can now easily add sessions, exhibitors and hotel information, as well as pre- and post-event tasks to their IFAI Expo 2008 Itinerary. This great planning tool gives visitors everything in one easy-to-read page showing where you need to be and when you need to be there. Buyers can use the index of products to see which exhibitors will show the product they are looking for and schedule an appointment with those they want to meet.  IFAI Expo just keeps getting better and better.

AMA to conduct Automotive Materials and Testing Symposium in China

Kristy Osman, Managing Director of AMA, a division of IFAI, announced that it is holding an Automotive Materials and Testing Symposium Nov. 11-13, 2008, in Haining City, China.  The symposium was developed to provide an overview of materials and testing required to supply to the North American Automotive Market. The event theme is: "Improving quality and content of interior and exterior component materials through communication;" addressing the rapid expansion and technology needs of North American Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and the Asia/Pacific supply base.  Activities/Speakers Include:

North American Automotive OEM Perspective - Donald Vesey | Chrysler

- A overview of requirements and procedures to supply interior or exterior materials to NA OEMs with a focus on textiles, plastics and coatings.  Topics include: materials, process, tier levels and how to asses your tier level, quality certifications, OEM specs, testing, and the material approval process.  Question and Answer Forum.

Textile Testing - Teresa Carter | Guilford Performance Textiles

-Textile testing is the process of inspecting, measuring and evaluating the characteristics and properties of materials.  Testing is performed according to the defined test methods , which are standard test methods promulgated by industry-wide organization and are widely used among manufacturers and researchers.  The session will focus on the types of tests required by the automotive industry and the assessment of product performance, research and development, quality control and government regulations.

Color Correlation - Jim Harper | TechmerPM

- This session focuses on color communication and the SAE standards that govern automotive color measurement and observation for automotive interiors.  Harper will review the practical application of how color is approved at North American OEMs.  The future of color computer aided design and worldwide communication will also be discussed.

Flammability Testing for Interior Trim & Components - Fred Barwick | ATL, Inc.

- An overview of the SAE J369 Flammability of Polymeric Materials including test specimen preparation, apparatus and testing environment, definitions of the various testing outcomes, data recording and computations and the safety precautions necessary for the operator. Question and Answer Forum.

Fogging/Volatile Organic Compounds - Fred Barwick | ATL, Inc.

- Review - SAE J1756 - The Determination of the Fogging Characteristics of Interior Automotive Materials.  Topics include test apparatus/required equipment including glassware preparation and sample preparation; determination of fogging photometrically and gravimetrically; test data compilation; computation and visual assessment of test results and safety precautions for the operator.

Weathering of Interior and Exterior Materials - Joe Robbins | AZ Test - Gary Cornell | Q-Lab - Oscar Cordo | Atlas MTT LLC

- This presentation will discuss the various types of weathering testing, and will provide an outline of weathering requirements for the major OEMs of North America.

• Laboratory Weathering - Xenon-arc weather, fluorescent condensation weathering and carbon-arc weathering
• Outdoor Weathering - Direct weathering and under glass weathering

For more information or to register, contact Kristy Osman at klosman@ifai.com, +1 651 225 6959.

Sad Farewell - James William Powell III - July 8 1926 - May 31, 2008

James (Jimmy) W. Powell III, longtime industry leader and retired owner of Van Nuys Awning (Van Nuys, CA) passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at the age of 81.

Powell, a "Certified for Life" Master Fabric Craftsman and Honored Life Member of IFAI, served the industry as an Active Director on the IFAI Board of Directors from 1974 to 1979 and as past chairman of IFAI's Awning Division (now called the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association) from 1982 to 1986.

In 1986, Powell was recognized with the prestigious "Chairman's Award" for his contribution in advancing the design and applications of awnings.

Besides being instrumental in the development of the Western Canvas Products Association (WCPA), Powell was also one of the founding members of the Southern California Canvas Association.

Powell, a veteran of two tours of duty in World War II and the Korean conflict respectively, is survived by his wife of 53 years, Virginia.

Nine Industrial Fabrics Foundation Scholarships Available

IFAI Member Contributions Help Build Textile Industry Future

IFF now offers nine scholarships available for a total of $25,500 toward higher education. Applications for each of the scholarships are available by contacting IFF at +1 651 225 6545. Financial need, academic achievement, community service and studies related to specialty fabrics will be considered in the selection process.

Architecture scholarship:

Scholarship for tuition expenses for students enrolled in an architecture program at an accredited college or university. This scholarship is sponsored by the Lightweight Structures Association.

Marine fabricators scholarships:

Scholarship for tuition expenses at an accredited college, university or technical school for employees and family members of employees of the Marine Fabricators Association, a division of IFAI.  This scholarship is sponsored by the Marine Fabricators Association.

Membership scholarships:

Scholarship for tuition expenses at an accredited college, university or technical school for employees and family members of employees of IFAI member companies.

Student scholarships:

Scholarship for tuition expenses for students enrolled in a college or university textile program.

Tent rental scholarship:

Scholarship for tuition expenses at an accredited college, university or technical school for employees and family members of employees of the Tent Rental Division of IFAI member companies. This scholarship is sponsored by the Tent Rental Division. The Industrial Fabrics Foundation was set up by IFAI's Board of Directors to complement IFAI's various efforts on behalf of the people and companies that make up the specialty fabrics industry. All of IFF's education and research programs are supported entirely by contributions from individuals and corporations, divisions and zones of IFAI and other related trade associations.  For information about the foundation or to make a contribution contact the Director of IFF, Beth Hungiville, at +1 651 225 6952 or b@indfabfnd.com.

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