The industry, past, present and future: IFAI Expo is the annual event where industry leaders, innovators and market makers connect. Next month in Charlotte, the heart of the U.S. textile industry, you’ll join with more than 5,000 attendees and 375 exhibitors for an industry education in specialty fabrics and fabrication, shade and weather protection and advanced textiles applications, including emerging opportunities in smart fabrics.

Turn to page 69 for an advance list of our exhibitors and the products they’re showcasing; follow that with the schedule of events and educational programs (page 52) designed to complement the marketplaces represented on the show floor.

Programming for the Advanced Textiles Conference, Shade and Weather Protection and Specialty Fabrics takes place on “Super Tuesday,” Oct. 18. Add a thought-provoking talk on business ethics from Chuck Gallagher, a shop tour in the afternoon … and explore our industry’s colorful history at Harry Berzack’s sewing machine museum.

Before the show floor opens Wednesday, Linda Kaplan Thaler, whose advertising campaigns include the “Aflac Duck” and “Kodak Moments,” will offer entertaining stories from the front line of business. Wednesday evening, when the show floor closes, please join us for our opening reception at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Thursday’s opening session will feature Dennis Snow and inspiring customer service messages honed from more than 20 years at Disney.

In the exhibit hall, the Advanced Textile Testing Demo Zone will demonstrate the newest fabric testing methods. Visit the NASA booth to learn about the state-of-the-art textiles used in the space suit on display.

The show floor will also offer 32 “Campfire Sessions” and 14 market round tables, open to all attendees. The Campfire Sessions are short educational sessions developed to provide immediate information on a variety of fabric and business topics. Join any of the market round tables scheduled on the show floor for in-depth discussions with market leaders in 14 different markets, including marine fabrication, awnings and tents, advanced textiles, military products and the latest labor-saving equipment.

First-time attendees and those new to the industry should stop by Textiles 101 in the Fabric Sourcing Center for a basic textile education—and to find the special fabric needed to create that new product, and the vendor that supplies it. And if you need a free professional photo, stop by the Headshot Lounge and upgrade your photo for your social media sites or business profile. A special free lunch will be served on Friday on the show floor, one more opportunity to network with colleagues and vendors you may have missed earlier in the week.

Be sure to join us at IFAI Expo 2016 to make those all-important connections from all parts of the specialty fabrics industry—education and experience, face to face.

Register today at www.ATAexpo.com.