In Miami, Fla., U.S.A., at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa. With the theme “Leading with Innovation,” the high-level event (in partnership with InfoTrends) brings together leaders in the digital wide format community to discuss key issues, challenges, opportunities and threats confronting the modern print service provider. Visit www.fespasummit.com.
Southwest Industrial Fabrics Association will have its annual convention at the Capitol Hotel in Little Rock, Ark., U.S.A. SWIFA serves fabricator members from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, with supplier members from across the U.S. For information, visit www.swifa.org.
Will take place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., U.S.A. For information, visit www.signexpo.org.
ON DEMAND Conference & Expo, an event for commercial printers, publishers and in-plant printing professionals, will take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pa. The event offers first-hand experience of the latest printing technologies, helping attendees stay on top of what’s new and what’s next in the digital printing industry.
The premier business networking conference for technical textiles will be held at Pinehurst Resort, N.C., U.S.A. Developed by USIFI and NFI. For more information, contact Ruth Stephens: +1 651 225 6920.
Organized by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, the 10 International Engineered Fabrics Conference & Expo will take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Fla., U.S.A. For information, visit www.inda.org.
To take place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga., U.S.A. Part of Textile and Sewn Products Industry Week, Spesa Expo is the largest gathering of sewn products professionals in the Americas for 2010. For information, visit www.spesaexpo.com.
Trade show for everyone involved in Australia’s textile industry. Show will be held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. For details, visit www.acaspa.com.au.
Third annual European-U.S. Entrepreneurs Networking Conference will be held in Paris, France. For information, e-mail klosman@ifai.com.
The Federation of European Screenprinters Associations main event, held every three years, will take place in Munich, Germany, spread over six halls, including two new fabric and finishing areas. For information, visit www.fespa2010.com.
To enhance a project site intended for use by the public, designers can turn to the family of specialty fabrics. The “active” or kinetic aspects of fabric, together with their color and festivity, give them a powerful edge over “hard” materials that are inert and often restricted to earth tones.
Integration: Banners and flags provide colorful and economical ways to dress up a building or boulevard. They can integrate parts of a shopping district attractively and inexpensively. Seasonal decorating, special events and everyday activities provide opportunities for decorating with fabric.
Color: Brightly colored fabrics don’t have to be printed with advertisements to catch an eye and “sell” a business service. A striking color leaves a strong impression.
Movement: The movement of banners and flags is a major advantage over fixed billboards and signs. When something moves, the eye is inevitably drawn to it.
Variety: Frequent changes in familiar settings attract attention. Since banners and flags are relatively easy to mount and remove, whole new looks can evolve from simply changing colors.
Function: Fabric pieces can enhance a variety of locations and are available in many formats for installation across streets, on light poles, on buildings and on flagpoles. They can be one- or two-sided, mounted with rope or cable and come in any shape or size.

