TEXTILES.ORG
This year’s IFAI Expo 2018 in Dallas, Texas, is designed to make its variety of opportunities even more accessible for all participants. The event begins Monday, Oct. 15 with a Pre-Expo Conference, including 24 sessions dedicated to the advanced textiles field. Forty presenters representing industry and academia will cover topics on aerospace, medical, safety and protective, and smart fabrics markets, as well as fabric advancements and updates on testing and standards. Participants can expect lively discussions about entrepreneurship, academic/industry partnerships, IP and patent law, standards and other timely topics.
In addition to Monday’s smart fabric sessions, an E-Textiles Workshop located on the show floor offers a gathering place for e-textiles innovators, suppliers, beginners and experts alike. Textile samples will be available, and 30-minute discussions facilitated by application-specific experts will be scheduled throughout the show. Sessions will show how the end-user experience is delivered through the deconstruction of various e-textiles currently on the market.
In cooperation with NC State’s College of Textiles, learning opportunities for the Testing Program are available on the show floor, as well as the testing curriculum offered during the Pre-Expo Conference. Participants will be able to earn a testing certificate by completing the Testing Track in the Pre-Expo Conference and additional lab requirements in the Testing Demo Zone on the show floor. These can be applied toward NC State’s Textile Technology Certificate Program. The Testing Demo Zone will hold live demonstrations, Q&A sessions, an Intro to Testing Seminar and videos will be shown that are designed to create a better understanding of testing, current research, product development and product claims.
Advanced Textiles Campfires are free, 20-minute presentations on the show floor and an Advanced Textiles Lounge on the show floor provides a place to relax, recharge and network.
IFAI’s Advanced Textiles Product Division (ATP) members are active in organizing and participating in Expo’s advanced textiles offerings. The division supports the industry with networking, education and scholarships to help ensure its future. For more information on ATP including a member list, scholarship information, a list of webinars and the latest news, visit https://advancedtextiles.ifai.com/.