2018 Info coming soon.
The following is subject to change. Disclaimer below.
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Tuesday, September 26
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| 8 AM |
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| 8–9:30 am |
Presented by: Larry Oxenham, Author, Senior Advisor, American Society of Asset Protection Learn the strategies and tools the nation’s top law firms use to save their clients millions of dollars each year. This lecture provides solutions to three major problems: lawsuits, taxes, and probate. In this session, you will learn: How to make yourself unattractive to a plaintiff attorney so they will not pursue a lawsuit against you. |
| 8–9:30 am |
Presented by: Alyson Clair, Technical Advisor, ISFD This presentation will cover getting a pattern fit approved and production ready. It will also share insights into working with design for higher yield patterns and how to be production ready for a manufacturer all with an emphasis on being a good client and building a lasting relationship. |
| 8–8:45 am |
Presented by: Tim Koehler, Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures, Inc. Tim Akes, MPanel Software Solutions Join this session as the process of working with an architect/owner to the installation regarding shade sails is discussed. |
| 8:45–9:30 am |
Presented by: Valerie Cuchna, Materials Liaison, Fabric Images Mike VonWatchenfeld, Glen Raven Custom Fabrics This session will provide attendees with information on specifying and producing outdoor graphics. Learn about specific types of products and finishing that can be used to complete outdoor printed projects. |
| 9 AM |
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| 9:45 am–Noon |
Presented by: Ron Anstey, State of New Hampshire Department of Safety Paul Armstrong, Independent Consultant This presentation will address various ICC codes, as well as NFPA code requirements and address challenges to the IFAI membership. The presenters will bring their recent experience as a Building Official and Fire Marshall serving various jurisdictions on the West Coast and North-East Region as examples. The format of the session will be an interactive workshop with questions/concerns from the audience. |
| 9:45–10:30 am |
Learn the basic steps for contracting with the federal government, “working within the system”, tips on resources available to you, helpful contacts and websites to demystify the process. |
| 9:45–10:30 am |
Presented by: Steven Wayne, Southern Stitch Canvas & Upholstery, LLC The session will cover an array of advanced upholstery products, including marine, auto and commercial upholstery products. Steven will walk you through a variety of upholstery projects and share his approach, insights and techniques. Be inspired by first-hand knowledge from an industry expert and take your talents to new and diverse levels. |
| 10 AM |
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| 10:30–11:15 am |
Moderated by:
Magda Ronningen, Makers Program Specialist, IFAI Dee Duncan, CEO, Keyston Bros Ann Duncan, HR Professional, Keyston Bros Matt Mitchell, Supply Chain Analyst, Keyston Bros Addie Kilbride, Marketing Assistant, Keyston Bros Join this panel discussion on best practices for hiring and cultivating interns, and how these interns can evolve into valuable employees. Moderator, Magda Ronningen, previously a higher education administrator, and currently associated with the IFAI Maker’s Division, will also discuss her experience as an Internship Director and Director of Career Services. IFAI’s Makers Division, will guide the discussion. |
| 11 AM |
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| 11:15 am–Noon |
Unfortunately, up to 40% of businesses never reopen after a disaster. Plan to stay in business when the next disaster happens. Obtain practical information on how business owners or operators can plan for, respond to and recover from, the next disaster. |
| NOON |
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| Noon-1:30 pm |
Moderated by: Jonathan Chakales, National Sales Manager, Marlen Textiles Meredith Boyd, Corporate Business Development Manager, Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. Ben Cooper, Managing Director, IoClothes John Neely, Director of Marketing and Product Management Building and Construction, Berry Global Ever wonder how other companies, large and small, diversify into new markets? This dynamic panel will talk about how their companies approach, learn from and are changed by business ventures in new areas. |
| 1 PM |
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| 1:30–2:15 pm |
Presented by: Jeff Rasmussen, Director of Market Research, IFAI The 2017 State of the Industry will begin with a brief worldwide overview of the specialty fabrics industry across five geographic regions: North America, Western Europe (Germany), Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East. The presentation will also encompass short profiles for eleven U.S. and Canadian specialty fabrics market segments in 2016-2017—with an emphasis on the United States. Market profiles will cover key aspects of each market segment such as market size, growth rates, developments/trends, and growth projections. Market segments include: • Awnings and canopies The 2017 State of the Industry presentation will be delivered by IFAI’s Director of Market Research, Jeff Rasmussen—who has more than 20 years of market research experience. For the last 10 years, Rasmussen’s work at IFAI has included researching and writing the annual State of the Industry published in IFAI’s Specialty Fabrics Review magazine. He has also been a speaker at a number of industry events over the past several years. |
| 2 PM |
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| 2:15–3 pm |
Presented by: Steven Kaplan, President, Kaplan Sewing Machine Mario Gauna, Henderson Sewing Machine Warren Shannon, Mitsubishi Electric Automation Mike Sandercock, The Quality Thread and Notions Company Each panelist will provide an overview of sewing machine types through the lens of the application. Applications as they relate to sewing machine types covered in the session include: awnings, tents, tarpaulins, upholstery, hi-tech apparel and more. There will be a discussion about seam types and how they relate to sewing machines. Attendees will learn how to choose the best sewing machine for their application and how to improve efficiency. |
| 2:15–3 pm |
Presented by: An architect and a fabricator come together to offer advice on growing and reinforcing this vital relationship. Mary Gilmore, AIA, kicks off the session by presenting best practices and helpful tips for working with architects. Marc Shellshear will discuss how fabricators can use the Lunch and Learn programs provided by the Fabric Structures Association to educate architects and encourage the use of fabric structures. |
| 3 PM |
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| 3:15–4 pm |
Presented by: Thomas Carlson, Manager, Carlson Design Chandler Clark, Signature CanvasMakers Each panelist will give a brief overview of the various components of a cutting room, which include digitizing, cutting and spreading. The panel will discuss advantages of each component, and what applications are the best suited for full automation. Learn about how to enhance your cutting room, increase product volumes, manual cutting versus automated cutting rooms, single ply cutting, laser cutting, and more. |
| 3:15–4 pm |
Presented by: Barry Adams, Peach Tree Awnings
This presentation will focus on retaining and engaging your most talented key associates in your company. From creating a culture of valued contribution to recognizing sustained effort, the speaker will touch on many aspects of creating a vibrant workplace. |
| 3:15–4 pm |
Presented by: Daniel W. McElmurray, Landscape Architect, City of New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways Margueritte Ramos, President, ShadeFLA This session will focus on the many opportunities for shade in various government and commercial markets from the view of both a landscape architect and a manufacturer specializing in lightweight fabric shade structures. Daniel McElmurray, PLA, Department of Parks, will share his experiences in New Orleans, Las Vegas and other shade dependent climates, highlighting current needs, examples of recent projects within Orleans Parish and opportunities for future projects. Margueritte Ramos, ShadeFLA, will discuss the latest shading trends in a variety of different industries. She will focus on the process of supplying local parks, museums, hotels, restaurants and schools with the proper shading solutions for their business and facilities. |
| 4 PM |
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| 4–4:45 pm |
Moderated by: Brydon Roe, CEO, Shade Sails Canada Mikael Wallin, VP Sales & Marketing, FORSSTROM High Frequency AB Jeff Sponseller, Director of Sales, Miller Weldmaster Traci Evling, President, JTE Machine Systems, Inc. Christina Lefebvre, Matic, S.A. Each panelist will give an overview of the different types of welding machines on the market hot air, hot weld, radio frequency (RF)/high frequency (HF), impulse and ultrasonic. The panel will discuss advantages of each welding machine and what applications are the best suited for each type of welding machine. Panelists will also discuss seam types as they relate to each welding machine type. |
| 4–4:45 pm |
Presented by: Nic Goldsmith, Owner, FTL Design Engineering Studio In Western culture, from an early age we are ingrained with the notion that weight in building construction equals strength. The classic tale “The Three Little Pigs” features anthropomorphic pigs that build three houses of different materials. A big bad wolf is able to blow down the first two pigs’ houses, made of straw and wood, but is unable to destroy the third pig’s house, made of bricks. This idea of the relative strength of mass pervades our culture as a fundamental truth, but heavy materials are not intrinsically stronger than lighter ones. While time will be needed to remove the biases that we carry in our cultural DNA, our perception of strength has begun to shift. If we look at the historical evolution of architecture—from the massive pyramids of Egypt to the framed structures of Greek and Roman construction, to the lighter Gothic vaulting and eventually modern architecture of the twentieth century—we see a continuous, almost linear progression from solid mass construction to diaphanous skins of glass and steel. This is our historic journey from mass to membrane. In Mass to Membrane, Nic Goldsmith—principal of FTL Design Engineering Studio—presents the continuing evolution of building materials, from heavy stone structures to luminous, lightweight, flexible, and environmentally responsible structures; timely since we are at the cusp of developing even lighter building technologies that will become more prevalent over the next generation. |
| 4–4:45 pm |
Presented by: Mike Erickson, Canvas Designers
Get an in depth view of an award winning project form the initial concept through the installation. Discover the obstacles our marine expert overcame, what he learned, and how he succeeded. |
| 4:45–5:30 pm |
David Callahan, Owner, Granite State Cover Upselling is not just about increasing your bottom line. That final product is a reflection of your company and your work. Encouraging your clients to upgrade to better quality materials not only makes the end product look better and last longer for the client it also is your calling card for future referrals. |
| 5 PM |
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| 5:30-7pm |
Open to all Expo Plus attendees; After a day of education, relax with a drink and food while mingling with other Expo Plus attendees; A great way to cap off the day and continue to enhance your experience. Presented By: J.M. Rodgers |
IFAI Disclaimer: Although every reasonable effort is made to provide the speakers, topics, and sessions listed, some changes or substitutions may occur. Speakers and sessions are subject to cancellation or change up to and including the day the session(s) are scheduled to be held. Changes or cancellations are made at the discretion of IFAI and may be done without notifying attendees. If sessions are changed or cancelled no refunds should be expected. Agreement to attend the IFAI Expo acknowledges acceptance of this provision.