Dave Elliot shows strength in economic turmoil

August 1, 2013  |  Features, Industry News, Management, Marine, Perspective

Dave Elliot distinguishes his business from the competition by slowing down and keeping strict standards. By Sigrid Tornquist “The past years’ economic challenges have not been a problem for my business—in fact, I think they’ve made my business even stronger because I’ve separated my b…
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Turning engineering into art: the heart of passionate design

July 1, 2013  |  Fabric Structures, Features, Industry News, Management, Perspective

Nic Goldsmith uses his architectural vision to design innovative fabric structures. By Sigrid Tornquist “I think there are a lot of areas where fabric technology could be applied and it’s not,” says Nic Goldsmith, FAIA, LEED, AP, senior principal of FTL Design and Engineering Studio in New Yor…
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Raising the bar from tent rentals to event services partner

June 1, 2013  |  Features, Industry News, Marketing, Markets, Perspective, Tents

Dan Nolan III expands services to bring clients what they need and want. By Sigrid Tornquist “We don’t want to plan your event; we want to support your event,” says Dan Nolan III, managing partner of Tents Unlimited Inc., Marietta, Ga., and chairman of IFAI’s Tent Rental Division. “We offe…
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Ron Houle builds a bridge to the Capitol

May 1, 2013  |  Features, Industry News, Marketing, Markets, Perspective

Ron Houle works for defense procurement funding at the highest levels of U.S. government. By Sigrid Tornquist “To be successful in defense procurement it’s important to understand what the Department of Defense (DoD) needs, how to design to that need, how projects get funded and how they are jus…
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Cindy Boersema adapts to the unexpected—and succeeds

April 1, 2013  |  Features, Management, Marine, Perspective

Cindy Boersema takes an unexpected partnership dissolution and builds a sound sole proprietorship. By Sigrid Tornquist “I think the most significant lesson I’ve learned over the past couple of years is not to get too comfortable,” says Cindy Boersema, owner of The Nautical Needle in Holland, M…
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Michael König plans the next move

March 1, 2013  |  Features, Perspective

Michael König focuses on business planning and growth—every week. By Sigrid Tornquist “You have to know where you’re going in business. You have to have a plan,” says Michael König, president of OFPANZ, New Zealand’s branch of IFAI; and owner and president of Sunshade Group NZ Ltd., inco…
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Fred Tracy brings creative solutions

February 1, 2013  |  Features, Graphics, Management, Perspective, Tents

Fred Tracy brings creative solutions to his work in the tent industry. By Sigrid Tornquist Change is our company strategy,” says Fred Tracy, owner of Fred’s Tents and Canopies Inc., Stillwater, N.Y. “You can’t be like a horse in a harness race, with blinders on—you have to keep your eyes o…
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Kevin Kelly turns process to profit

January 1, 2013  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Perspective

Kevin Kelly increases productivity by implementing forecasting, planning and process strategies. By Sigrid Tornquist “Once we started opening our eyes to process, we were really able to take a big leap forward in productivity,” says Kevin Kelly, MFC, IFM, CPP, president of Globe Canvas Products …
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Marc Shellshear puts shade expertise and management skills to work

December 1, 2012  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Perspective

Nicknamed Dr. Shade, Marc Shellshear is an employee who thinks like a business owner—putting shade expertise and management skills to work. By Sigrid Tornquist “If you can’t put yourself in the shoes of the person speaking you’re not going to understand what they want,” says Marc Shellshea…
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Wm. J. Mills & Co. grows through the generations

November 1, 2012  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Perspective

A three-generational take on the Wm. J. Mills & Co. family business. By Sigrid Tornquist As IFAI celebrates its 100th anniversary, it’s clear that the association is only as strong as its members. For more than 100 years, many current member companies have been shaping their businesses, the as…
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