TEXTILES.ORG
Since the first show in 1918, the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) Expo has been the textile industry’s flagship event for buying, selling, networking, learning and having fun—all designed to help participants grow the bottom line of their businesses. This year, for the first time, IFAI Expo will take place as an online-only virtual event.
If you manufacture or specify textile-related products in your business, IFAI Virtual Expo is a must-attend event. Expo is a once-a-year event where you can source new products, new textiles and new suppliers.
What to expect?
IFAI Virtual Expo will take place Nov. 2–12, 2020, in a robust platform designed to provide many exciting opportunities.
EDUCATION: Learn new strategies and techniques at numerous virtual education sessions both live and on-demand. Deep-dive educational sessions, campfires and the Advanced Textiles (AT) Conference will take place right from your computer.
SOURCING: Find products and suppliers in an easy access environment, visit exhibit booths, and connect with exhibit booth staff by chat, a live call and more.
CONNECTIONS: Chat with textiles professionals from around the world at educational sessions, lounges and booths.
Who attends Expo?
Attendees of IFAI Expo are buyers and sellers who are eager to conduct business and learn about industry developments, share new ideas, discover trend data and explore opportunities. Join thousands of manufacturers, suppliers, research and development professionals, craftspersons, designers, fabricators, engineers and product developers for an incredible virtual experience.
The benefits of a Virtual Expo
Hosting IFAI Expo in a virtual format has numerous benefits. Going virtual provides a new way to experience IFAI Expo while taking advantage of many conveniences. Benefits of virtual attendance include:
> Attending the event is easy! All education, exhibitors and networking opportunities are only a click away.
> Save money on travel, hotel and other expenses that go along with
traveling to a show.
> CONVENIENCE! There has never been an easier way to visit multiple
exhibit booths, attend education sessions and chat with knowledgeable industry experts.
> Experience the show at your own speed. All education events will be
available as “on-demand,” “live” or both!
Features of the IFAI Virtual Expo
Lobby
The landing page for all things IFAI Virtual Expo 2020.
Webcast Auditorium/Education
Find educational sessions, their titles, descriptions and presenters. Just prior to a session starting, you will see a button that says “Attend Webcast.” Simply click that and you are in the session. If you missed a session or want
to go back and view it again, you can also access the webcast videos on-demand. Sessions will be available on-demand 48 hours after the live airing; those sessions will be available through Dec. 12.
Exhibit Halls
Explore exhibitor booths in the exhibit halls. You can watch videos, download informational materials, and chat directly with exhibitors during designated hours.
Play + Demo
Take a break, watch product demonstration videos, and earn points to win prizes!
The chat function
Chat opportunities are available in each area of the event, as well as each exhibitor booth. You can chat with everyone in the room using text, or have private one-on-one texts, audio or video chat.
Log in ahead of time
Once you are registered, we recommend that you log in 24 hours before the event and look around the site. This will help you familiarize yourself with the different areas.
Technical support
The online platform includes a Helpdesk where you can find frequently asked questions along with phone and email support. Additionally, there is a chat box in the lower right corner of the platform for more support during normal show hours.
Advanced Textiles Virtual Conference
Virtual education sessions are a combination of live and pre-recorded webcasts. All education content is available on-demand after their scheduled times through Dec. 12, 2020, via the Virtual Event Center. All stated times are Central Standard Time.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
10–11 am Development of Advanced Functional Fibers and Fabrics
Dr. Sasha Stolyarov, CEO, Advanced Functional Fabrics of America
2–3 pm Understanding Testing Requirements of Medical PPE
Jing Liang, President, Medical PPE Consulting LLC
Wednesday, Nov. 4
10–11 am Smart Textiles: From Lab Prototypes to Commercial Products
Justine Decaens, Head of Technical Innovation–Smart Textiles, Groupe CTT
2–3 pm Amplifying Human Energy to Drive Performance and Recovery
Seth Casden, CEO and Co-Founder, Hologenix
Thursday, Nov. 5
10–11 am Testing and Standards Integral to Timely Product Development
Thomas Stegmaier, PD Dr.-Ing, DITF Denkendorf
Götz Gresser, Prof., DITF Denkendorf
2–3 pm From Lab to Market: How We Made Revolutionary Pain-Relieving
Yarns and Socks in Six Weeks
Matt Kolmes, CEO, Supreme Corp.
Tuesday, Nov. 10
10–11 am Smart Textiles and Clothing for Healthcare and Wellbeing:
A Collaborative Approach
Dr. Anne Toomey, Head of Programme for Textiles, Royal College of Art
Dr. Elif Ozden Yenigun, Senior Lecturer, Royal College of Art
Dr. Gozde Goncu-Berk, Assistant Professor, University of California Davis
2–3 pm Clothing: The Next Frontier in Drug Delivery
Jordan Schindler, Founder/CEO, Nufabrx
Thursday, Nov. 12
10–11 am Smart Textiles Standardization–Active Illumination
Dr. Jan Beringer, Senior Scientific Expert, Hohenstein
2–3 pm Advanced Textiles Closing Session: Industry Organizations’
Responses to COVID-19 and How to Move Forward
Steve Schiffman, President and CEO, Industrial Fabrics Association International
Kim Glas, President and CEO, National Council of Textile Organizations
IFAI Virtual Expo Industry Education
Virtual education sessions are a combination of live and pre-recorded webcasts. All education content is available on-demand after their scheduled times through Dec. 12, 2020, via the Virtual Event Center. All stated times are Central Standard Time.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
10–11 am Leadership, Employees and Growth in the Shade Industry
Kevin Sandefur, Production Manager, Awning Works Inc.
2–3 pm International Business, Supply Chain Management and Global Sourcing
King Mukherjee, President and Professor, Global Impex USA and
Saint John’s University
Bob Gazich, President, Tap Your Potential
Wednesday, Nov. 4
10–11 am Advances in UV Technology for Use in the Field of Textile Dyeing,
Finishing, Coating and Composite Materials
Reinhold Schneider, Dr., Teamleader Textile Printing, DITF
2–3 pm Shade Sail Design–How to Get It Right
Alan Stewart, General Manager, MPanel Software Solutions
Thursday, Nov. 5
10–11 am Designing Lightness: Structures for Saving Energy
Ed van Hinte, Lightness Studios
Marie O’Mahony, O’Mahony Consultancy
2–3 pm Equipment and Processes as your Succession Plan
Jonathan Palmer, CEO, Autometrix Inc.
Truy Pham, Director of Global Sales, Autometrix Inc.
Tuesday, Nov. 10
10–11 am The Inside Scoop on Shade, Lighting and Acoustics
Cindy Thompson, MFA, Founder, President, Transformit
2–3 pm Textiles are the “T” in STEM
Stephanie Rodgers, Director of Product Research and Development, Apex Mills
Thursday, Nov. 12
10–11 am In the Lab: Exploring Performance and Material Considerations
of Shade Fabric
Colin Blackford, Director of Strategy and Development, Mermet USA
2–3 pm 1974 U.S. Pavilion–Renovation and Shade Experience Development
Mar Ricketts, Principal, GuildWorks LLC
Sebastian Collet, VP, GuildWorks LLC
Beatriz Ferreyra, Lead Design, GuildWorks LLC
David Bowick, P. Eng., Principal, Blackwell
Virtual Campfire Education
Virtual education sessions are a combination of live and pre-recorded webcasts. All education content is available on-demand after their scheduled times through Dec. 12, 2020, via the Virtual Event Center. All stated times are Central Standard Time.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
12–12:30 pm Government Relations Update: Trade, Tariffs and Military Procurement
Sara Beatty, White Haven Trade
Auggie Tantillo, SRG and Associates
12–12:30 pm Case Studies in Shade Sail Design
Patrick Howe, Owner/Founder, Wholesale Shade
Robin DuBroy, Director of Customer Training Programs, Wholesale Shade
Gregg Burrows, Sales Manager, Wholesale Shade
Wednesday, Nov. 4
12–12:30 pm Perpetually Cool: How Advances in Cooling Textile Technology and
Sustainability Can Help Combat Global Warming
Courtney Cruzan, VP Sourcing and Product Development, brrr°
12–12:30 pm How to Sell a Company (to the Employees)
Chris Fredericks, President, TVF
Thursday, Nov. 5
12–12:30 pm Maximizing Sustainable Footwear Initiatives Using Hemp Fiber
Zoe Newman, Graduate Student, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina
State University
12–12:30 pm NASA Flammability Standards for the Selection of Textiles in
Space Programs
Evelyne Orndoff, Textiles Engineer, NASA
Tuesday, Nov. 10
12–12:30 pm How to Select the Correct Welding Technology for Your Business
Jeff Sponseller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Miller Weldmaster
12–12:30 pm Digital Printing: Unique Solution Offering that Differentiates
Dan Fouratt, Director of Business Development, Trivantage
Virtual 5K Fun Run and Walk
Monday, Nov. 2—Thursday, Nov. 12
Add-on registration required. $29 for Members and Non-Members
Enjoy a self-guided 5K and score an official IFAI Expo 5K t-shirt!
Keynotes Karen E Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk of the hit HGTV show “Good Bones”!
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020 | 9:00 am
Included in all registration packages at no additional cost
Join us for an exciting keynote! IFAI Virtual Expo welcomes Karen E Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk of the hit HGTV show “Good Bones.”
Interaction and Demo Zone
Monday, Nov. 2—Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020 | On-demand in the Virtual Event Center
Included in all registration packages
Available throughout the show, the Interaction & Demo Zone elevates your engagement with sponsors, exhibitors and IFAI partners. Here you will find
all on-demand content, in-depth product demos and sponsored content by featured exhibitors, entertainment and more.
Registration packages
Advanced Textiles Conference Virtual Registration
Includes Advanced Textiles Conference (10 hours of advanced textiles education), additional 10+ hours of industry education, virtual exhibit halls access, 5 hours of virtual campfire education, annual meeting and keynote session.
2.5 hours of education is offered during weekdays (Monday-Friday) between Nov. 2-12.
Expo Plus Virtual Registration
Includes 10+ hours of industry education, virtual exhibit halls access,
5 hours of virtual campfire education, annual meeting and keynote session.
2.5 hours of education are offered during weekdays (Monday-Friday) between Nov. 2-12.
Virtual Exhibit Halls Only
Includes virtual exhibit halls access, 5 hours of virtual campfire education, annual meeting and keynote session. Exhibit hall and campfire education are offered during weekdays (Monday-Friday) between Nov. 2-12.
Virtual 5K Fun Run/Walk: $29
Supporting Organizations (as of Sept. 10, 2020)
APPI EnergyChemical Fabrics & Film Association
Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
Gaston College Textile Technology Center
INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry
IndyHumane
International Sign Association
PartnerShip
Royal College of Art, London Textile World
Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University