IFAI Expo Americas attracts over 5100 participants

11 Jan '11

4 min read

Industrial Fabrics Association International - IFAI Expo Americas continues its reign as the specialty fabric industry's top-performing trade event in the Americas. More than 5,100 registered participants from 55 countries gathered in Orlando for the industry's largest showcase of products, knowledge and accomplishments.

IFAI Expo Americas 2010, held 27-29 Oct. at the Orange County Convention Center, proved to be the strategic “must-attend” event of the year for an industry slowly emerging from a tumultuous economy.

No “tire-kickers” were on the show floor. Manufacturers and end-product fabricators came to buy. Exhibiting companies were overwhelmed on the first day with leads and confirmed purchases. Speakers were swamped with questions in crowded educational seminars and workshops.

The trade show is a natural buyer's magnet because the top companies in fabrics, fiber, films and chemicals, end products, components, equipment, and technology services were represented. IFAI Expo Americas' breadth enables connections to be made throughout the industry's value chain. Buyers were able to visit 354 exhibiting companies, attended cutting-edge symposiums, and learned about the winning innovative products in the International Achivement Awards (IAA) competition.

Jaime Parker, President of Shadys, a supplier of products to the golf industry, confirmed that saying: “We attended our first IFAI Expo last year in San Diego at the suggestion of one of our manufacturers as a 'must-attend' trade show to finalize our materials and parts selection. They said, 'If you can't find it at this show, then it doesn't exist…especially if you are searching for specialty or hard-to-find items.'

"We attended the show and immediately found all the parts and materials we needed. In fact, we were exposed to so many new parts and materials that it stimulated our imagination and we have since developed new drawings and designs for future products we never thought possible.”

IFAI Expo's reputation and unique benefits as the specialty fabrics industry's top North American trade event were affirmed by Alan Prelutsky, Vice President Sales and Marketing for MarChem CFI, which manufactures coated, laminated, and solution dyed polyester fabrics for use in a wide range of applications: “MarChem CFI was overwhelmed with traffic at IFAI Expo Americas 2010, far exceeding our expectations. We had more viable customers visit with us in the booth this year than ever before. Even though we had most of our sales staff off the road, the benefit of being at Expo was worth it. It allowed us to reach customers in a way we can't otherwise. We were able to meet with both current and prospective customers and see what trends are appearing in our market.”

Morgan Blue, Account Executive with UL DQS, Inc., one of the leading certification bodies for management systems worldwide, said that the majority of attendee traffic was at the executive level: “The IFAI Expo crowd was all business. The decision makers were there! It was refreshing to meet COOs, CEOs and quality directors-people who know what they're doing.”

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