Upcoming Events

Free for Members and Non-Members

The question of how much ballast is necessary to safely secure a tent is one that tent rental companies have been struggling with for decades. While most newer tents are certified by engineers to require a set amount of ballast, there are still many - particularly older tents or tents that have been modified from their original design - that do not have the corresponding documentation that can be used as a guideline for installers, but also shown to local code officials as verification that the structure has been properly secured.

After many years of study and research, this new tool allows us the opportunity to better answer that question and give code officials something tangible to know this tent was set up safely. Join us for an overview and demonstration of the Non-Engineered Ballasting Tool and a discussion on why the Tent Rental Division (TRD) and American Rental Association (ARA) partnered up to develop this additional ballasting tool.

Free for Members and Non-Members

Geocell retention systems are comprised of two types. One is made up of stacked geocells, infilled with compacted free-draining material. The second has exposed face made up of geocells while the soil behind is reinforced with planar geosynthetics layers. The first structure is a gravity wall while the second is a hybrid of planar geosynthetic reinforced soil with facing made of 3D geosynthetic, i.e., geocell. Design of the first structure is focused on the stability of gravity structure – resistance to sliding and overturning while ensuring that the foundation has sufficient bearing capacity. The design of the second system is more involved as it has to establish the layout of adequate reinforcement. This process includes sufficient strength and length of reinforcement to resist rupture of the reinforcement as well as resist sliding. It has also to ensure resistance to foundation failure and prevention of reinforcement front-end pullout from the geocell facing; i.e., connection strength.

The following will be discussed:

1. Construction process
2. Static design using software demonstration
3. Seismic design using software demonstration
4. Performance

SewLong Custom Covers, South Salt Lake City, UT
SugarHouse Awning Industries, Midvale, UT

Join the Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) for 2 days of hands-on marine fabrication education in a shop setting. Build your network with like-minded business owners and share business information while you socialize and tour the marine shop.

Throughout the months of the pandemic, GMA is continued major efforts to maintain our influence with federal and state governments to position our industry for success. With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation (BIL), conversations with our congressional relations will be critical to insure geosynthetic inclusion in the projects that will be funded by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) and a strong attendance will insure our ability to visit all the offices. This year’s lobby day will take place in Washington, DC on November 15 & 16th. With the full return to in-person meetings, Whitmer & Worrall (W&W) will be setting up two types of meetings: 1) Congressional Office Visits; 2) Reception/Lunch Invitations. Please register your intent to attend as soon as possible so that we can start the requests to meet with the correct congressional offices.

The Upholstery & Trim Annual Convention is an exclusive event that brings together many of the major manufacturers, distributors and jobbers in the upholstery and trim industry. It helps today’s companies build critical business relationships, discover important sales opportunities and keep pace with changing market dynamics.

The centerpiece of the convention is the one-on-one business meetings that provide attendees the opportunity to privately sit down with their most important suppliers and customers to learn what is new and to do business. To allow for the most valuable meetings, attendance to the show is limited and based upon approval. Once submitting registration for the event, it goes through a review process and within 72 hours, registrants will be emailed confirmation of approval.

ATA’s PAMA division is partnering with the Canvas Products Association (CPA) Zone 7 to hold education on CAD/Rhino, Energy Savings Calculator and HR services. The annual Zone 7 Conference is being held Dec. 7-9, 2022 at the Pittsburgh Sheraton in Pittsburgh, PA.

IFAI Tent Conference is the leading event promoting the advancement of the commercial tent rental industry. This biennial event features a robust educational component designed to grow businesses, valuable networking opportunities, access to the industry’s top material suppliers, and TRD’s annual business meeting. Suppliers will have access to a targeted customer base in a single location, strengthen relationships with existing customers, gain inside information on what your customers need, and discover a new client base.

ATA is teaming up with the North East Canvas Products Association (NECPA) Expo being held Jan. 19-21, 2023 at the Sheraton Monarch Place in Springfield, MA. The event features education sessions powered by the Professional Awning Manufactures Association (PAMA) and the Marine Fabricators Association (MFA), divisions of the ATA. Education tracks for the awning and marine industry to include dodgers, upholstery, marine and awning technology, awning tools and resources, hiring, retention and Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS).

Join us at the annual Marine Fabricators Conference taking place in New Orleans. The conference features three full days of education and networking designed to help you cultivate industry connections, improve your efficiency and increase revenue.