IFAI Wraps Up With Positive Reviews
IFAI Wraps Up With Positive Reviews
IFAI Expo 2004, organized by U.S.-based Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI),
made a strong showing with more than 6,500, attendees including 848 visitors from 51 countries.
This years show had 413 exhibitors, including 40 companies from outside the United States.There
were 60 new exhibitors.The recently held annual event continues its evolution from an awnings show
to a coated fabric show to a high-tech textile expo that encompasses traditional performance
textile applications and serves an array of specialty niche markets.Our industry has seen a
dramatic shift in the supplier base from traditional textile fabrics to more advanced flexible
fabrics, said Steven M.Warner, president, IFAI. Weve seen tremendous growth in niche markets
like medical and military.At IFAI Expo 2004, more than 1,200 participants attended more than 17
business- and market-specific educational seminars and conferences, covering topics such as medical
textiles, signs and graphics, safety and protective, textile construction, awning and canopy,
sports and recreation, filtration textiles, upholstery, marine fabrication, transportation
textiles, equipment and technologies, and business and leadership.
January/February 2005