TEXTILES.ORG
The 2026 Marine Fabricators Conference, which took place Jan. 8–10 at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, Ga., combined practical education with deep connection—and camaraderie—among fellow fabricators.
The conference featured educational events such as a workshop on bimini basics, the annual Fabricators Olympics, a Showoff Showcase featuring privacy screens, various small-group seminars and roundtable discussions. As in previous years, the conference opened with a welcome party and its annual costume contest.
In-depth presentations covered topics such as upholstery foam, building value for the trade, center console enclosures, marine upholstery tips and patterning. Attendees also enjoyed a lively show floor where they met exhibitors and built key partnerships. One exhibitor noted that this conference was the “best one yet” in the over 20 years they’ve attended.
“I have been to many, many, many conferences in my antimicrobials career and this one was genuinely my favorite,” said Helena Kim, director of business development at Microban International. “I admired the community that the MFA [Marine Fabricators Association] cultivated through this conference. It was an incredible experience.”
The conference closed on a high note at the MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards dinner. Awards of Excellence and Outstanding Achievements were given in each of the 11 categories, and one Award of Distinction was given in the Upholstery and Exterior categories. (For more on entering the International Achievement Awards and Fabrication Excellence Awards, see page 14.)
Also at that dinner, the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) Board of Directors awarded Honored Life Member distinctions to Steve Szenay, MFC, and Bill McDaniel. Both men were recognized by for their exceptional achievements and lasting contributions. “These gentlemen truly represent the very best of our industry,” said Charlene Clark, IFM, co-owner of Signature CanvasMakers LLC and member of the ATA Board of Directors.
In total, 258 attendees and exhibitors were at the conference. Of those attendees, 59 attended the conference for the first time. Additionally, several new attendees from 2025 joined the MFA ambassador program for 2026 so they could welcome newcomers and share their experiences.
Registration for the 2027 conference and submissions for the annual Tools, Tips and Tricks contest will open in the summer at marine.textiles.org; the costume contest theme will be “Music Legends.”