IFAI president responds to Coronavirus, adjusts upcoming events

March 17, 2020  |  Company News, Events, Expo News, News

As concern over the Coronavirus (COVID-19) grows, I want all IFAI members to know we are closely monitoring developments and following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We will follow their recommendations to keep our employees, their…
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Future History: IFAI Expo 1940-1949

March 1, 2020  |  Expo News

Substitute awnings and Their Effect on the Industry An Address Given by J. J. O’Connor, Our First Vice President, at the Recent Roanoke Convention In the year just past, the world was shocked by the collapse of France in just four weeks, and the whole world started expressing fear. In our own indu…
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IFAI Expo 1935: what happened at the show, and around the industry

February 1, 2020  |  Expo News

Judging from the crowds which it attracted, we are safe in saying that one of the newest and most practical awning accessory exhibited was the Coolawn Ventilator. This device is applicable to nearly every type of residential awning, as well as many types of store awnings. In construction and applica…
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IFAI Expo 1920-1929

January 1, 2020  |  Expo News

This Business of Going to Conventions From James E. McGregor’s editorial on page 13 of the August 1928 National Canvas Goods Manufacturers Review.  Ideas are like the farmer at work. He prepares the ground by preparing his mind through study of conditions which affect the future crop. He gets tho…
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IFAI Expo 99 years and counting …

December 1, 2019  |  Expo News

In 1912, fourteen manufacturers of awnings and canvas products convened at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver to form the National Tent & Awning Manufacturers Association. The goal of the group was both modest and practical: to set weights and prices for canvas products. But what has endured, for …
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IFAI’s 2019 Outstanding Volunteer Awards

October 8, 2019  |  Awards, Expo News

At this year’s annual meeting during IFAI Expo 2019, IFAI presented the Outstanding Volunteer Awards, recognizing members who generously gave of their time to serve on different boards, task forces and committees, judged competitions and provided education and leadership to others in the industry.…
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2019 Chairman’s Award winner: Scott Campbell, Rainier Industries

October 8, 2019  |  Expo News, Industry News

The Chairman’s Award (originally, the President’s Award) is an honor bestowed by the chairman of IFAI to an individual that has had an extraordinary and meaningful impact on the association. It is rarely given, and awarded at the sole discretion of the IFAI chairman. At IFAI’s annual meeting a…
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Designing with shade cloth for human protection

October 4, 2019  |  Expo News

Australia has a very high rate of skin cancer, so it’s not surprising that the country has led the world in the development of shade cloth, Chris Nolan told attendees of a shade cloth educational session at IFAI Expo 2019 in Orlando, Fla. “Even in the temperate areas where most people live, we h…
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Avoid expensive mistakes when applying graphics to awnings

October 4, 2019  |  Expo News

Bill McSpadden wants IFAI attendees to not make the same mistakes he has made. On day 2 of IFAI Expo 2019 in Orlando, Fla., McSpadden’s educational session on graphics for small to medium fabricators focused on avoiding expensive mistakes that turn profitable projects into unprofitable ones. McSpa…
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HDPE shade fabrics offer form and function for shade structures

October 4, 2019  |  Expo News

Shade has been a requirement for human beings since ancient times, but very little technological development related to shade occurred until the last 30 to 40 years, said Andrew Nasarczyk, senior manager—research and development, GALE Pacific Ltd., Braeside, Victoria, Australia. Nasarczyk explaine…
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