When thinking of places known for fun in the sun or cafe culture, Canada may not immediately come to mind. Yet that is where awning manufacturer Rolltec® Rolling Systems Ltd. in Concord, Ont., Canada, does business—in a big way.

Inventing a new product can change an industry—but it isn’t easy. To go from the eureka moment to a finished product available for customers takes longer and costs more than one might think. Here’s how some inventors overcame the hurdles.

In August, Hollywood Park, adjacent to the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., hosted the HARD Summer music festival, a two-day celebration of genres including electronic, techno, house, and drum and bass. The venue included four outdoor stages in the parking lots around the stadium, drawing more than 80,000 attendees each day.

Sustainability, art, better durability and new printing technology are among the trends shaping the exterior fabric graphics market. Companies involved in all facets of this area continue to innovate, meet market demands and introduce new and better features for fabric products and the equipment that produces them.

As concerns grow over how to mitigate the negative environmental impacts associated with the disposal of textiles past their useful life, one area under scrutiny is medical textiles, which includes surgical gowns, scrubs, drapes and orthotics. A significant number of these products fall into the disposable category, used once then discarded—a situation increasingly putting reusable medical textiles in the spotlight.

Think of the last big outdoor event you attended. There’s a good chance it included a tent, whether you were at a community festival, a business gathering or a wedding reception.

Americans over the age of 75 are expected to account for more than 50% of an anticipated population increase of 19 million during the coming decade. This is according to a March 2024 report by Wells Fargo that also warns, “Assuming the share of the population that has difficulty with self-care remains constant … an additional 1.7 million seniors will require care a decade from now.” This comes with not just health care costs but societal and economic ones, particularly for women, who represent 59% of unpaid caregivers.

As textiles move away from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the firefighter turnout-gear market, for one, faces specific concerns. In the past, the market intentionally used PFAS treatments to achieve goals such as oil repellency. Now, health concerns about the “forever” chemicals have led to increased regulations such as New York and California laws effective January 2025 that ban the sale and distribution of textile goods containing PFAS and other state laws that regulate firefighter gear specifically (see sidebar).

Turkey, which changed its name to the Republic of Türkiye in 2022, has a textile industry that dates to the Ottoman Empire and has continued to adapt, thrive and grow into the 21st century. In 2022, the country was ranked as the fourth largest exporter of textiles worldwide, accounting for more than 4% of global textile exports. In addition, its textiles and clothing exports have tripled since 2000, with its biggest market in Europe.

A synergistic relationship exists between defense agencies and the textile industry. Small-to-medium enterprises enjoy support from the defense sector through funding mechanisms such as the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. Federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense, support research in fibrous materials by funding major initiatives, such as has been the case with the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America. The development of technologies such as melt blowing and electrospinning—important components of PPE and filters—was supported by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Full disclosure, I’m not really a marketing guy. When I started AP Consulting more than two years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. And as much as I would like to say I know everything now, I don’t. And that’s OK.

In an era inundated with online inspiration, event planners and their clients are continually seeking new ways to stand out while staying on trend—and they’re increasingly turning to customized linens. When every detail makes a difference, a personalized tablecloth pattern or strategically positioned emblem on a napkin or seat cover can help elevate the entire experience.