Specialty Fabrics Review interviews Fred Tracy, owner of Fred’s Tents and Canopies Inc.

Interview by Sigrid Tornquist

Your entrance into the tent industry was a surprising progression for you. How does it compare to your work as an artist?

It’s still a creative field. But I’m always aware of how much of an honor it is to work in this industry, from the worst days in our country’s history to the best. The tent industry covers such a broad spectrum—from shipping tents to New Orleans for post Katrina and to the East Coast for the victims of Sandy to providing shelter for the celebratory moments of people’s lives, like weddings and graduations.

You’ve been working on compiling some industry standards with IFAI’s Tent Rental Division. What is it that you’re working on?

There are a few of us working along with IFAI to come up with a manual that will have the staking study, ballasting study and a list of engineers across the country who can assist members. It would be great for members to have that information available in one pamphlet.

Sigrid Tornquist is a freelance author and editor based in St. Paul, Minn. She is also the associate editor of InTents magazine, a publication of the Industrial Fabrics Association International.