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IFAI Expo 2017 is a great success

IFAI Expo 2017 attracted more than 4,500 participants to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La., September 26–29. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with more than 380 exhibitors, schedule one-on-one meetings with industry professionals and hear expert advice from more than 50 industry speakers. “There’s so much information and there’s so much [...]

By |2017-10-26T00:00:58-05:00October 26, 2017|

Making connections in smart textiles

When E.M. Forster wrote the words “only connect” in his Victorian novel Howards End, he was linking poetry and prose. But the phrase was given new meaning at IFAI Expo’s Advanced Textiles Conference Smart Fabrics Track on Tuesday by presenters who encouraged better connectivity between the textile and electronics industries. One company working to bridge [...]

By |2017-09-29T11:33:33-05:00September 29, 2017|

Best business practices for working with engineers

Mike Sullaway, principal engineer, president and owner of Sullaway Engineering Inc. in San Diego, Calif., presented a campfire session “Working with Engineers” at IFAI Expo 2017 in New Orleans, La. Throughout the presentation, Sullaway offered tips and advice on the best ways to go about working on a project with an engineer. How to find [...]

By |2017-09-29T10:57:45-05:00September 29, 2017|

Is your business ready for 2020?

EXPO keynote speaker Seth Mattison, an expert on workforce trends and generational dynamics, delivered a provocative presentation on how businesses today need to prepare for the next three to five years of workforce success. “The most pressing trend facing all of you is the battle between hierarchies and networks,” says Mattison. “We’re in the age [...]

By |2017-09-29T10:20:07-05:00September 29, 2017|

First annual Greater Good Award given to Scott Massey of Awning Cleaning Industries

Scott Massey, owner of Awning Cleaning Industries, was awarded the first annual Greater Good Award at the IFAI Expo 2017 in New Orleans, La. Massey’s business is based in New Haven, Conn. The Greater Good Award focuses on an ATA member company that does good business—and strives to be a good neighbor, good citizen, and [...]

By |2017-09-29T10:11:42-05:00September 29, 2017|

Manufacturing for Good Booth volunteers sew bags for Raintree Children and Family Services

Christine Gerard (left), ATA division supervisor, and Whitney Armentor (right), Raintree Development Coordinator, are pictured at IFAI Expo 2017 in the Manufacturing for Good Booth. Several companies contributed supplies, equipment and labor to sew 70 large tote bags for young people who receive services at Raintree Children and Family Services. Raintree is a nonprofit that [...]

By |2017-09-29T10:13:18-05:00September 29, 2017|

How to inspire the next generation

A critical issue in the textile industry is how to attract and inspire the next generation. North Carolina State University in Raleigh may have an answer: develop student/industry partnerships that solve real-life open-ended problems. During a presentation at EXPO, co-directors Jesse S. Jur and Russell E. Gorga, from the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and [...]

By |2017-09-29T07:17:04-05:00September 29, 2017|

Sewing a quality product depends on asking lots of questions

Getting a contract sewing job is great, but making sure a customer’s needs align with one’s business capabilities is a key consideration. “Company fit” is all important, according to Chad Miller, director of contracting at American National Manufacturing. American National Manufacturing was started by Miller’s father in the 1970s. What began as a water bed [...]

By |2017-09-28T15:27:50-05:00September 28, 2017|

2017 Student Design Challenge Winners: Fabric Structures

First place in the 2017 Fabric Structures Student Design Challenge: “Tenso Refugee Shelter” by Ahmad Nouraldeen. The Fabric Structures Association (FSA), a division of ATA, announced the winners of the 2017 Fabric Structures Student Design Challenge at IFAI Expo in New Orleans on Sept. 28. First Place: Ahmad Nouraldeen, from Anhalt Hochschule, took [...]

By |2017-09-27T11:14:18-05:00September 28, 2017|

Tips for navigating social media madness

“Post with a purpose,” says Sam Armijos of Fabric Architect LLC. “Understand that you’ll be wasting someone else’s time if you don’t have a purpose for posting.” Armijos presented a campfire session on “Social Media Madness” during IFAI Expo 2017 in New Orleans, La. Armijos shared some tips and tricks to help navigate social media [...]

By |2017-09-28T13:16:17-05:00September 28, 2017|
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