Expo Education
IFAI Expo Americas 2010 will feature two distinctive tracks:
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Fabrication Track will highlight practical learning opportunities ranging from fabric welding and sewing workshops to bending, designing, cutting and patterning for marine and awning applications. A peer-to-peer learning experience has been developed by creating roundtable discussions that will provide tips-and-tricks from your fellow industry leaders.
Business Track has been designed to give your business the tools to add to your bottom line. The sessions in this track will provide practical information from marketing tips, economic forecasts, best practices and new product development to how to increase awareness of your brand by using social media.
Fabrication Track:
Fabric Welding
Wednesday, 27 October, 2:00 - 5:00pm
This workshop provides a unique opportunity to look at equipment in a hands-on environment in one location. Expert facilitators will provide information on future trends, welding tips and new applications.
*.5 CEU
Frame Design and Bending for Boat Tops
Thursday, 28 October, 1:00 - 2:00pm
Learn the basics of frame design from a long-time boater, marine fabricator and engineer. Explore the interaction of the elements, the purpose of the top. A frame will be designed to show how to mark the tubing to be cut, bent and crowned to produce a perfect frame the first time.
*.5 CEU
Cutting and Patterning for Boat Tops
Thursday, 28 October, 2:00 - 3:00pm
Minimizing waste. Doing the job the right way the first time. Learn tricks, tips and practical how-to's. The frame designed in the "Frame Design and Bending for Boat Tops" session will be used to create the perfect top.
*.5 CEU
Frame Design and Bending for Awnings
Thursday, 28 October, 3:00 - 4:00pm
Behind every great awning is a well-created frame! This session will help you uncover techniques for designing and bending awning frames.
*.5 CEU
Cutting and Patterning for Awnings
Thursday, 28 October, 4:00 - 5:00pm
Less waste is more profit. Doing it the right way the first time will save you hours of rework and frustration. This session will show the secrets from some of the industry's best!
Sewing Machine Maintenance Workshop
Friday, 29 October, 8:00 - 11:00am
Learn tips and tricks to maintain your sewing machine from the experts. Participate in a round table discussion to hear how your industry colleagues have developed maintenance practices to increase efficiency and prevent costly down time.
*.5 CEU
Finishing Your Products with Distinction
Friday, 29 October, 1:00 - 3:00pm
Learn tips on how finishing your products can set them apart. This session will include a series of round table discussions where you will discover new ideas from your peers. Attendees are encouraged to bring samples to discuss.
*.5 CEU
Business Track:
Keynote Presentation - The Recovery from the Great Recession of 2008-2009
Wednesday, 27 October, 8:00 - 10:00am
Dr. John Connaughton, Professor of Economics and Director of the UNC Charlotte Economics Forecast, UNC Charlotte
Learn the factors that contribute to recovering from the economic conditions of the last two years from the leading source of economic information for North Caroline. Attendees will gain insight into the recovery process and the role consumer sentiment will play in the pace of expansion and job growth.
Marketing your Awning Company in the New Economy
Wednesday, 27 October, 10:00am - 12:30pm
Developed in concert with the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA), this session explores ways your company can maximize inexpensive but effective marketing to increase sales, making your more profitable in the new economy. Topics include: paid advertising, internet and community-based marketing, home shows and how to get the most out of your showroom.
Growing your Business through New Product Development
Wednesday, 27 October, 1:00 - 2:00pm
Learn why and how setting up and managing a successful New Product Development Process will increase your future profit margin. Find out about using valuable tools to assess the market and ways to change gears with the cultural shifts that affect the textile industry.
*.5 CEU
Lean Transformation
Wednesday, 27 October, 2:00 - 3:00pm
Lean manufacturing is a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste by flowing the product at the pull of the customer in pursuit of perfection. Lean Transforming typifies the best in leadership, culture, strategy and operational excellence that defines highly-successful manufacturers today--regardless of company size.
*.5 CEU
A Practical Approach to using Social Media for Growing your Business
Wednesday, 27 October, 3:15 - 5:00pm
There has never been a marketing tool as powerful as social media. Learn how to strategically use Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and blogs to build your reputation, conduct valuable research, and generate more referrals. Social media sites enjoy millions of hits daily, making them incredibly important for optimizing your website. These sites are the elephants in Web 2.0 marketplace. They can create a stampede of new prospects to your company, and enhance communications with your customers on a professional, social and personal level.
*.5 CEU
Fabric Structures Symposium
Thursday, 28 October, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Codes, regulations and standards are shaping the future of fabric structures. Codes are the driving rules and most practical body of regulation we deal with as we specify, manufacture and install fabric structures. Case studies involving code challenges and how they were overcome will be presented by well-known industry manufacturers. Learn where this industry is headed through a look at inspirational emerging designs.
*.5 CEU
Creating New Possibilities with Graphics
Thursday, 28 October, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Explore innovations, new trends and options for expanding your product line with graphics. This session features a Buyer's Panel Discussion where attendees will learn what buyers look for when sourcing promotional materials--from banners, signs and awnings to developing relationships with print providers.
*.5 CEU
The Gulf Crisis: How the Technical Textiles Industry Responded
Thursday, 28 October, 1:30 - 3:00pm
Key industry leaders review how the technical textiles industry responded to the oil disaster in the gulf.
Best Practices for Sustainability
Friday, 29 October, 9:00 - 11:00am
"Sustainability" is viewed as socially critical and a business model goal in today's economy. Learn more about what a sustainability program really is and why it is important for your company. Then take it a step further and discover ways to implement a sustainability program and how to use the program to your advantage when selling your goods/services.
*.5 CEU
Advanced Lawsuit Protection, Tax Reduction, and Estate Planning Strategies
Friday, 29 October, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Learn from a knowledgeable advisor new ways to structure business for lawsuit protection and prevention, reduce liability insurance costs, minimize taxes and create successful estate and business succession plans.
*.5 CEU
The "Real" Cost of Doing Business
Friday, 29 October, 1:00 - 3:00pm
Give your business the tune up it needs to perform beyond your expectations. Topics include cash flow, understanding costs, working capital, strategic planning, annual planning process and financial allies.
*.5 CEU
Evening Architecture Sessions at Rosen Plaza:
How to Design Green Roofs and Landscapes
Tuesday, October 26, 6:00 - 9:00pm
This session, co-organized with the Geosynthetics Material Association (GMA), provides helpful information on learning about the use of geosynthetics in designing sustainable, energy-efficient green roofs.
Architectural Opportunities - Exploring Fabric Structures
Thursday, October 28, 4:00 - 7:00pm
We live in a new world with a new perception of architecture. Attendees will see and hear how fabric structures fits in its new role. Examine a variety of fabric materials and discuss the physical properties from leading textile experts. Some of the many materials discussed include - PTFE fiberglass, PVC polyester, Silicone/glass, ePTFE, HDPE mesh, ETFE films and foils, and polyolefin. Co-organized with the Fabric Structures Association (FSA).
* Qualifies for IFAI Certification Continuing Education Units. Visit: www.ifai.com for complete certification details.
