IFAI News letter:June/2008

IFAI/LSA founding member in the national spotlight on PBS "A Capital Fourth"

Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning film, theater and television actor Jimmy Smits hosted the 28th annual broadcast of America's biggest and best-loved 4th of July concert on PBS, which featured musical performances from some of the country's best known and award-winning artists, as well as a spectacular fireworks display on the National Mall over the Washington Monument.

What was even better was that the concert was held under a fabulous structure designed by FTL Design Engineering Studio (longtime member of IFAI and one of the founding members of the Lightweight Structures Association, a division of IFAI) for the entire 90-minute primetime program. According to FTL Senior Principal Nic Goldsmith, "We designed the project in 2001 shortly after 9/11 and it has grown each year since then. The structure covers about 10,000 sq. ft. and it is set up twice a year on the West Lawn of the Capitol. Birdair were the fabricators; the fabric is a PVC polyester and the cables are Kevlar for ease of deployment. The structure has permanent foundations which remain below grade so the lawn can be used during the rest of year." Nic is a former chairman of LSA.

Location, Location, Location! See The Workers Prepare A Capital Fourth The performers in front of the cameras are fun to watch, but it's the talent behind the scenes makes it all come together. It's a monumental task, from start to finish. View the fireworks and watch the crew doing setup and takedown in high-speed timelapse photography to the strains of the "William Tell Overture." Coordination among 22 government entities is required to facilitate such a large undertaking, including the Military District of Washington, the National Park Service, the Office of the Architect of the United States Capitol and, because of its unique location at the Capitol, three law enforcement agencies - the U.S. Capitol Police, the U.S. Park Police and the Washington Metropolitan Police Department. View and download this year's Official Poster which features the FLT structure surrounded by the most spectacular fireworks display anywhere in the nation exploding high over the Washington Monument in the rousing finale. The Boeing Company sponsored the 2008 Official Concert Poster and live broadcast of "A Capitol Fourth."

PAMA national consumer awareness campaign - www.awningstoday.com

Media Coverage for PAMA PR Campaign at all-time high

Beltway readers learn about the benefits of awnings in the Washington Post The PAMA Consumer Awareness casmpaign continues to gain exposure across the county. A major feature story appeared July 12th on the cover page of the Real Estate section of the Washington Post. The story, entitled Shades of Nostalgia - Awnings Can Lower Energy Bills, Protect Furnishings From Fading, mentioned PAMA, PAMA members and the energy study commissioned by PAMA: Awnings in Residential Buildings: The Impact on Energy Use and Peak Demand, conducted by the Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University of Minnesota.

The feature highlighted a number of the campaign's key messaging points, market research, awning manufacturer and customer insights, and energy study information. The reporter even let us know that she even installed awnings on her own home! A well-rounded, in-depth story all about awnings in a key publication and a fantastic hit for PAMA.
Over 77,679,000 Impressions in Junein print and online Awnings Today continues to generate impressive media coverage in some big markets this past month, notably on Google with 135,291,588 estimated viewers per month. 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. There were 644 visits to the "Buy" page in June and 338 direct referrals to PAMA members through the locator. For more information about the program contact Michelle Sahlin at +1 651 225 6948, mesahlin@ifai.com.

First USIFI specifications published for U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy & Defense Supply Center Philadelphia

USIFI-DTL-55308 and USIFI-DOC-001 have been approved for publication by the member companies of the United States Industrial Fabrics Institute (USIFI).

USIFI-DTL-55308 supersedes the military document A-A 55308. This USIFI specification, an updated version of the military specification, was requested from the industry by the chief user of the spec, the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP). In addition, both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force specify materials with this document and had input in its revision.

USIFI-DOC-001 is a new item, a recommended test method compilation for various commonly used military textile fabrics. The document was requested from DSCP as a guideline for military contract writers.

These documents will be available at the IFAI Online Bookstore for $50 each (plus shipping and handling), beginning August 1, 2008. Current USIFI member companies will receive one free copy of each document upon publication. The items will also be listed on the government ASSIST web site, with a link to the IFAI purchase site

USIFI utilizes a standing committee to review and update and create specifications for certain fabrics used in military applications. Anyone with interest in military products may participate but only USIFI member companies may vote. The next general meeting of the USIFI MilSpecs committee will be held on October 23, 9 a.m. - noon, at the Charlotte Convention Center, on the last day of IFAI Expo 2008.

For more information, contact USIFI Executive Director Ruth Stephens at +1 651 225 6920, rastephens@ifai.com; or USIFI MilSpec Facilitator Lorne Hamilton at +1 705 875 1240.

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.

IFF Golf Tourney and Silent Auction return to IFAI Expo 2008

Proceeds go toward important industry research and scholarships

You can have it all when you come to IFAI Expo 2008. Do some business, have some fun and help raise a significant amount of money for industry research and student scholarships.

3rd Annual IFF Golf Tournament - October 20, 2008 BirkdaleGolf Club - Huntersville, NCWe've Improved Your Game--or at least given you a great excuse to play. The Arnold Palmer-designed Birkdale golf course is a public facility with a with "private club" atmosphere. Located on 200 acres of rolling terrain, carved between tall pines and natural streams, Birkdale is a challenging 7,013-yard, par 72 course made up of Bermuda fairways and Crenshaw bent grass greens offering a true test of golf skills. The course features a number of elevation changes, which are appealing to the eye and add to the challenge.

Prize donations needed for the 6th Annual Silent AuctionOctober 21-23, 2008 - Charlotte Convention Center - Charlotte, NC You are invited to participate in a unique fund-raising event by donating an item or bidding on the items that have been donated. Items from donors will be displayed at the silent auction. Take advantage of this unique opportunity and consider supporting our auction.

Contact Beth Hungiville, IFF Managing Director | info@indfabfnd.com | +1 651 225 6545 |www.indfabfnd.com 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 info@indfabfnd.com.

Advanced Textiles Conference Proceedings Now Available

Proceedings from the IFAI Advanced Textiles '08 held June 12-13 2008 in Berlin, are now available on DVD. The Advanced Textiles '08 plenary and technical program included 18 presentations and topics included: - Future & Sustainability- Embedded High-Tech Textiles- Architecture & Lightweight Structures - Protective Clothing For more information, visit the IFAI Bookstore. For information about the conference contact Jill Rutledge at jmrutledge@ifai.com or +1 651 225 6981.

Upcoming IFAI Events & Important Deadlines

MFA West Coast Regional Workshop: Aug. 16 - Rainier Industries Ltd., Tukwila, WA. Contact Beth Hungiville at +1 651 225 6952, 800 209 1810 (US & Canada)
[ website :www.marinecanvas.com ]
[ E-mail :blhungiville@ifai.com ]
PAMA & FGA Digital Graphics Workshop: August 16, 7:30 am-4:30 pm, at Rainier Industries, Seattle WA. Contact Michelle Sahlin for registration at E-mail or call +1 651-225-6948.
[ email : mesahlin@ifai.com ]
MFA Lower Atlantic Regional Workshop: Sept. 11-13 - Hilton Riverside - Wilmington, NC (in conjunction with Zone 4). Contact Beth Hungiville at +1 651 225 6952, 800 209 1810 (U.S. & Canada)
[ website :www.marinecanvas.com ]
[ E-mail :blhungiville@ifai.com ]
Awning & Fabric Graphics Tour: Oct. 20, 8:00 am-4:00 pm. All-day tour includes Alpha Canvas & Awning, Michael Winthrip Racing (NASCAR); and Glen Raven Technical Fabrics & Tri Vantage LLC. This tour is held in conjunction with the IFAI Expo 2008 in Charlotte NC.
[ website :www.ifaiexpo.info ]
IFAI Expo 2008: Oct. 21-23 - Charlotte Convention Center, NC. Contact Tracie Coopet at E-mail or + 1 651 225 6947.
[ website :www.ifaiexpo.com ]
[ E-mail :tkcoopet@ifai.com ]
MFA Great Lakes Regional Workshop: Nov. 7-9 -Sawmill Creek Resort, Huron, OH. Contact Beth Hungiville at +1 651 225 6952, 800 209 1810 (U.S. & Canada)
[ website :www.marinecanvas.com ]
[ E-mail :blhungiville@ifai.com ]
AMA Automotive Materials & Testing Symposium: Nov. 11-13 - Haining City, China - Contact Kristy Osman at E-mail or +1 651 225 6959.
[ E-mail :klosman@ifai.com ]
MFA National Convention: Jan. 11-13, 2009 - Hyatt Regency Riverfront, Jacksonville, FL. For information about attending, speaking or exhibiting contact Beth Hungiville at +1 651 225 6952, 800 209 1810 (U.S. & Canada)
[ website :www.marinecanvas.com ]
[ E-mail :blhungiville@ifai.com ]
IFAI Tent Expo 2009: Jan. 19-22, 2009 - Hilton Hotel, West Palm Beach, FL - For informationabout attending, speaking or exhibiting contact Jan Schieffer at +1 651 225 6944, 800 636 5065 (U.S. & Canada)
[ website :www.tentexperts.org ]
[ E-mail :jmschieffer@ifai.com ]
MFA Upper Atlantic Regional Workshop: Jan. 29-31, 2009,Mass Mutual Center, Springfield, MA -(in conjunction with NECPA Expo). Contact Beth Hungiville at +1 651 225 6952, 800 209 1810 (U.S. & Canada)
[ website :www.marinecanvas.com ]
[ E-mail :blhungiville@ifai.com ]
Geosynthetics 2009: Feb. 25-27, 2009 - Salt Lake City Convention Center, UT.For more information about attending, speaking or exhibiting, contact Beth Wistrcill at +1 651 225 6956
[ website :www.geoshow.info ]
[ E-mail :bbwistrcill@ifai.com ]
USIFI Outlook Conference: May 4-5, 2009, Daufuskie Island Resort, Off Hilton Head, NC.
[ E-mail :rastephens@ifai.com ]
IFAI Expo 2009: Sept. 23-25, 2009 - San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA.
[ website :www.ifaiexpo.com ]

For additional dates on workshops and other IFAI activities go to www.ifai.com and click on Calendar.

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Are you getting all the member benefits that you deserve? Click here to learn more about IFAI's new business service discounts that can save you thousands of dollars.Contact Nora McLellan at njmclellan@ifai.com or +1 651 225 6949 to get further details on the IFAI Membership Advantage and the full range of money-saving and time-saving benefits for members.

New! Shop online AND update your IFAI records at MyIFAI

Through myIFAI, you can manage your involvement with IFAI anytime, anywhere. Now you can update contact information including your business mailing address and the changes will be reflected instantly in the IFAI database.

Want a back issue of a magazine, or a hard-to-find book? Place an order through the IFAI Store. More functions will continue to be added.

If you are not currently registered with myIFAI, please sign up to begin using all the site's functions.

IFAI Store

You will find a variety of resources including books covering every specialty fabrics market segment, as well as back issues of IFAI magazines. There is also everything from conference proceedings, to workbooks, white papers, and training video DVDs.

They are a only click away at myIFAI, IFAI's online store for the specialty fabrics industry. Resource departments you can browse through to find a wide variety of valuable business-building materials include:

The best part is, members of IFAI and its divisions receive a discount on many items! If you are a member, please use the "Login" link to log in before shopping.

User Information

To update your personal information and view your order history, log in, and go to Profile, and click your name.

Company Directory

The Directory allows you to search for companies and contacts directly affiliated with you.
For additional information contact us +1 651 222 2508 or e-mail myifai@ifai.com.

We hope you enjoyed reading our Insider Events & Highlights e-newsletter.
Sincerely, The IFAI Staff

Insider Events & Highlights From IFAI