April 17, 2025
The Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) Board of Directors is seeking volunteer applicants to fill three open positions. The ATA Board of Directors represents ATA’s members and works with the ATA leadership staff, providing guidance on association decisions and activities. Open positions This individual will be the “Chairman-elect” and will automatically become Chairman of the Board …
April 17, 2025
The 2025 International Achievement Awards (IAAs) are now accepting entries. Exclusive to Advanced Textile Association (ATA) members, this competition—now in its 78th year—celebrates the best projects in the specialty fabrics industry. With a reduced entry fee of just $25, it’s easy to enter. Showcase your technical skills and gain industry-wide recognition by entering your best work. Deadline …
April 1, 2025
A New Zealand seafood restaurant in need of a refresh to its outdoor patio turned to Kolorful Kanvas Ltd., of Christchurch. The project replaced the restaurant’s metal awning with a retractable fabric solution and outfitted the outdoor dining area with new screens and signage, making it look more like a part of the structure than an …
April 1, 2025
There’s no denying it: Metal has become popular for shading products and is taking market share from fabric. However, that doesn’t mean that fabric awnings can’t compete. Fabric brings qualities to the table that metal does not have. Representatives from two companies that offer both options to their clients say that most of their projects …
April 1, 2025
While traditional tent styles are always popular with consumers, there also are numerous requests for new and different event venues. As a result, tent and event rental companies are constantly on the lookout for the “next big thing” to offer clients. In this article, several tent manufacturers showcase their latest creations—a diverse collection of shapes, …
April 1, 2025
St. Paul, Minn.-based Firefly Sauna has released two outdoor portable fabric saunas, eliminating the need to build a permanent wooden structure. The Firefly Spark and Firefly Dome’s pop-up design allows people to use a sauna while traveling or camping and is easily stored when not in use. Standing 6.5 feet tall and 6 feet wide, …
April 1, 2025
Three of TVF Inc.’s longest-serving senior sales consultants are retiring, including Shelly Hirschinger, James Durant and Jim Prestipino. “James, Jim and Shelly exemplify the highest standards of excellence in sales,” says Tad Calahan, president of TVF. “Their extensive knowledge and customer-first approach set them apart as leaders in their field. Through their exceptional expertise, consistent performance, …
April 1, 2025
Precision Textiles, Fairfield, N.J., announced the company has partnered with Culp Home Fashions, Stokesdale, N.C., to launch the patented IQ Flame Resistant (FR) Inlay yarn for the bedding and mattress industry. The yarn allows manufacturers to produce mattress covers with FR technology without the need for lamination. “We partnered with Culp Home Fashions to rigorously …
March 11, 2025
We are pleased to announce that Site & Stay has been selected as the official housing partner for Advanced Textiles Expo® 2025, taking place Nov. 5–7 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. Hotel booking is now open, offering attendees and exhibitors exclusive access to discounted rates at our official host hotels—all conveniently located …
March 1, 2025
River Park in Petaluma, Calif., is transforming. Its inaugural structure is the peninsula’s first shaded area—there aren’t even any trees—underneath a shade sail array composed of diamond shapes and providing a covered area more than 70 feet in diameter. It rises 20 feet and was created by GuildWorks LLC of Portland, Ore. “We see our …
November 1, 2022
Along-awaited waterfront ferry terminal is up and running on Seaplane Lagoon, Alameda, Calif. Against a backdrop of the decommissioned USS Hornet aircraft carrier and the Alameda Naval Air Museum, the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal provides regular weekday commuter services from Alameda, Oakland and other areas east and across the Bay from San Francisco. While helping …
October 1, 2022
Shigeru Ban’s corporate campus in Biel/Bienne for the Swiss watch company Swatch Omega Group is a study in contrast. Expanding on a motif the international architect first developed for the Centre Pompidou-Metz, France, Ban created a massive load-bearing timber diagrid shell that encloses and forms the main building. As with the Metz project, the Swatch …
September 1, 2022
Overland Park, Kan., is the second largest city in its state, as well as within the Kansas City metro area. The city’s website claims it is “America’s largest inhabited park,” and it feels like it if you stand in any open field and look northeast toward downtown Kansas City where the green-glass iconic towers of …
August 1, 2022
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indigenous community in Scottsdale, Ariz., has a dedicated space that is surrounded by a high-end commercial plaza on its land. Located at the crossroads of two major roads, the shopping complex is composed of numerous brick-faced masses that have tribal art affixed to the curved walls. One corner of the complex …
July 1, 2022
Vicinity Centres at Chadstone, located in Melbourne, Australia, is considered by some as the Fashion Capital of Down Under. Chadstone’s high-end fashion shopping precinct includes retail, commercial and leisure zones and recently was grafted to a new five-star hotel, the Hotel Chadstone Melbourne MGallery by Sofitel, via a fabric tensile canopy dubbed “The Link.” “The …
June 1, 2022
Fans of the San Diego Symphony have been singing praises for the new outdoor performance venue featuring The Rady Shell, inaugurated August 6, 2021, with a full-orchestra concert and a packed audience. As any musician will tell you, acoustics at outdoor performances are often a disappointing aural experience due to wind, intrusive noises and other …
May 1, 2022
More than ever before, architects are being called upon to dramatically improve the performance of their buildings, and fabric can help with this mandate. The key to implementing this is to reduce the embodied carbon in buildings. It’s a given that 40 percent of global resources goes to the built environment, so our construction industry …
January 1, 2022
With commissioned work coming to a halt last year because of the pandemic, artist Liam Hopkins set out to design his own project—a venue that would inspire and evolve. The result is Lazerian Space, a combination art gallery and cafe on King Street in Manchester, England. Inside the space, guests lounge and nosh within one …
December 1, 2021
While the Grand Palais, Paris’ historic exhibition hall and museum complex, is closed for a multi-year restoration project, a membrane-wrapped temporary venue installed on the Champ de Mars in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower is taking its place. Designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte of Wilmotte & Associates, the temporary structure dubbed “Grand Palais Ephémère” …
October 1, 2021
In the autumn of 2020, while Michigan was experiencing a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases, the governor and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services put in place a three-week ban on indoor dining in restaurants. To keep their doors open, many Detroit restaurants turned to tents, heaters and other ways to extend their …
March 11, 2025
We are pleased to announce that Site & Stay has been selected as the official housing partner for Advanced Textiles Expo® 2025, taking place Nov. 5–7 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. Hotel booking is now open, offering attendees and exhibitors exclusive access to discounted rates at our official host hotels—all conveniently located …
February 1, 2025
Advanced Textiles Association invites industry leaders, innovators and experts to present at Advanced Textiles Expo® 2025 and Emerging Technologies Conference (ETC). Advanced Textiles Expo and the ETC allow textile industry participants to showcase their knowledge and innovations, inspire other industry professionals, and engage with peers and thought leaders in a dynamic, collaborative environment. Presentation applications …
October 17, 2024
Advanced Textiles Expo® 2024, the largest event of Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA), concluded with resounding success Sept. 24–26 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Once again held in conjunction with Sun Shading Expo North America—organized by Messe Stuttgart, founders of R + T and the world’s largest trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun shading …
August 14, 2024
The Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA) has renegotiated its General Services Contractor contract for the 2025–2027 Advanced Textiles Expo® shows. By selecting Freeman through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, we have secured rates that significantly lower the cost burden on our exhibitors. RFP process Key achievements This successful negotiation translates directly to cost savings for …
December 20, 2021
The Industrial Fabrics Association International is now accepting proposals for presentations at IFAI Expo 2022. IFAI Expo will take place Oct. 12-14, 2022, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C., with education Oct. 11-14. IFAI is accepting proposals for 50-minute classroom sessions in several categories: Advanced Textiles Shade & Weather Protection Specialty Fabrics Marine …
July 6, 2021
Messe Stuttgart announced that its new U.S.-based show Sun Shading Expo North America will not be held in 2021 as a separate trade show but will instead contribute its expertise in internal and external sun shading systems at IFAI Expo 2021 in the form of expert talks, open discussions and more. IFAI Expo 2021 will still take place …
May 10, 2021
Registration is open for IFAI Expo 2021. IFAI Expo celebrates the 100th anniversary of the show this November, and you won’t want to miss it! After a long hiatus of in-person events, this year’s show is the perfect place to reconnect with your industry. Register now to get the Early Bird rate! Early Bird rates end …
December 1, 2020
With today’s digital printing options, there’s no reason for an awning client to be limited to colors and patterns in a book or traditional customization methods, according to Andrew Medley, regional sales manager for Trivantage. “Digital printing offers unlimited capabilities, and it is a solution to providing the customer exactly what they want—personalized messaging, the …
December 1, 2020
During IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, Jeff Sponseller, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Miller Weldmaster, led a campfire session titled “How to Select the Correct Welding Technology for Your Business.” “Essentially a good weld means that the fabric will tear before the weld does,” says Sponseller. Many types of different materials can be …
December 1, 2020
Wildfires, hurricanes, a pandemic and civil unrest have wreaked plenty of chaos on the commercial insurance market in 2020. Steve Christenson, with Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, offered guidance to business owners Nov. 9 at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020. “The business insurance market has been going through several changes this year,” says Christenson, with U.S. …
April 1, 2025
A New Zealand seafood restaurant in need of a refresh to its outdoor patio turned to Kolorful Kanvas Ltd., of Christchurch. The project replaced the restaurant’s metal awning with a retractable fabric solution and outfitted the outdoor dining area with new screens and signage, making it look more like a part of the structure than an …
April 1, 2025
There’s no denying it: Metal has become popular for shading products and is taking market share from fabric. However, that doesn’t mean that fabric awnings can’t compete. Fabric brings qualities to the table that metal does not have. Representatives from two companies that offer both options to their clients say that most of their projects …
April 1, 2025
While traditional tent styles are always popular with consumers, there also are numerous requests for new and different event venues. As a result, tent and event rental companies are constantly on the lookout for the “next big thing” to offer clients. In this article, several tent manufacturers showcase their latest creations—a diverse collection of shapes, …
March 1, 2025
River Park in Petaluma, Calif., is transforming. Its inaugural structure is the peninsula’s first shaded area—there aren’t even any trees—underneath a shade sail array composed of diamond shapes and providing a covered area more than 70 feet in diameter. It rises 20 feet and was created by GuildWorks LLC of Portland, Ore. “We see our …
March 1, 2025
In the global push to lower buildings’ carbon footprint and energy and water use, some look to blue and green roof construction. These roofs can help combat urban environmental challenges such as the heat island effect and rapid inundation of sewer systems from stormwater and are a small but growing market for geosynthetic materials. While …
March 1, 2025
The awning business is incredible. It offers enough challenges to keep you growing, consistency you can plan around, and is rewarding enough to keep you fulfilled. It’s also not building rockets, so being a genius isn’t a prerequisite. These are a few reasons why Scott Neville, Welhener – H.B. Wall Awning, and Travis Jenkins, Charlotte …
February 1, 2025
Fabric architecture includes innumerable possibilities with shape and form, which can result in imbuing even an amphitheater with rich cultural symbolism. Wangun Amphitheatre in Kalimna West, Australia, commissioned by the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC), is such a place. The design features five overlapping elliptical canopies over the seating areas, representing the five …
February 1, 2025
New regulations are affecting shade products, but that’s not the only thing going on in this market. Changes in motorization, the way products are used for light control, available color options and demand for sustainabilityare all happening too. Federal regulation ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022 went into effect as of June 2024, stating that shades must be cordless …
February 1, 2025
The clients for this project asked for a shade sail to cover their north-west facing courtyard. The solution from SunCraft NZ, Ltd., won an Award of Excellence in the Commercial Awnings & Canopies category of the 2024 Advanced Textiles Association International Achievement Awards. It was important for the clients to have a solution that provided …
January 1, 2025
Calling it “a complete overhaul” doesn’t even begin to describe the transformation of the Bally’s riverboat casino in Kansas City, Mo., done by Structurflex of Merriam, Kan., with the FlexFacades cladding system. There’s nothing “old-timey riverboat” about the current look, although there is a nod to the water with some abstract waterproof fiberglass “nautical fins” …
February 27, 2025
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) opened its invitations last week for public comments on foreign trade practices and the Section 301 sanctions on China. The deadline to submit comments on foreign trade practices is March 11. The deadline to submit comments on Section 301 sanctions is March 24. USTR will hold …
February 12, 2025
Herculite Products Inc. announced the establishment of the Herculite Charitable Foundation Fund, a corporate charitable foundation dedicated to addressing critical social challenges and making a meaningful difference in the communities it serves. Herculite said in a press release that this initiative represents the company’s ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility and its mission to foster …
September 17, 2024
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the regulation of them continue to be one of the top issues facing the textiles industry. Although federal reporting rules have been delayed until next year, there are still a number of state and federal regulations to manage. To help companies in the industry navigate those challenges, Advanced Textiles …
May 1, 2023
Former Industrial Fabrics Association International (now ATA) Chairman Kevin Yonce passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on April 29, 2023. Yonce was born January 24, 1970, in Urbana, Ill. He was a lifelong resident of Champaign-Urbana and a 1988 graduate of Urbana High School. Yonce is survived by his mother, Wanda, brother …
April 18, 2023
The “20th Anniversary Celebration of Membrane Structure Innovation and Development and the 11th National Membrane Structure Technology Exchange Conference” hosted by the Spatial Structure Sub-association of China Steel Construction Association and undertaken by Beijing University of Technology was successfully held this spring in Beijing, China. Nearly 400 delegates from all over the country participated. A …
June 22, 2022
The U.S. Department of Labor will provide a funding opportunity for $11.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to support the delivery of training and education to help workers and employers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards. Administered by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the grants will target disadvantaged, underserved, low-income, and other hard-to-reach, …
January 10, 2022
Oeko-Tex Association has released its annual updates to test criteria, limit values and requirements. In addition, its new Impact Calculator is now available for STeP by Oeko-Tex customers. The industry-specific tool will provide carbon and water footprint data essential to meeting climate goals. Later in 2022, Oeko-Tex will also introduce a new certification for corporate …
December 21, 2021
Industry veteran Steve Fredrickson is joining Rainier Industries as the National Sales Director for Rainier Shade. Frederickson has more than 25 years of experience in the textile industry, with several different companies. Most recently, he was sales director at Sattler Corp. “I started working with Rainier Industries in 1997; loved my time here and am …
December 20, 2021
The Industrial Fabrics Association International is now accepting proposals for presentations at IFAI Expo 2022. IFAI Expo will take place Oct. 12-14, 2022, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C., with education Oct. 11-14. IFAI is accepting proposals for 50-minute classroom sessions in several categories: Advanced Textiles Shade & Weather Protection Specialty Fabrics Marine …
December 17, 2021
Pantone, the global color authority and provider of professional color language standards and digital solutions for the design community, has introduced a new blue shade, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri, a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet red undertone as the Pantone Color of the Year selection for 2022. Blending the faithfulness and constancy …
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